Hocus Pocus is October in movie form. Bright, goofy, and just spooky enough, it feels like crashing a neighbor’s Halloween party where everyone went all out on the decorations.
The Sanderson sisters are the whole show. Bette Midler is a blast as Winifred, devouring every scene with wild faces and razor-sharp timing. Sarah Jessica Parker is hilarious as boy-crazy Sarah, and Kathy Najimy steals plenty of laughs as Mary, sniffing out children like a bloodhound. All three are clearly having the time of their lives, and it’s contagious.
And yes, “I Put a Spell on You” lives up to the hype. It’s the reason people still quote this movie decades later.
The trouble is that the film only truly comes alive when the witches are on screen. Max, Dani, and Allison are fine, but they can’t compete with three cackling sisters flying around on brooms (and a vacuum). Every time the story drifts back to the kids, the middle sags. The plot is simple, too, with few surprises. You’ll see most of it coming a mile away.
The effects look cheesy now, though that’s half the charm. The tone is odd: a little too silly for adults, a touch too creepy for very young kids. It also lacks the bite of Beetlejuice, which plays in the same sandbox.
Still, it’s hard not to grin through it. It’s cozy, easy, and asks nothing of you. Add candy corn and a blanket, and it does exactly what it’s supposed to.
Come for the witches, stay for the song, and forgive the rest.
