“Hocus Pocus” is a good Halloween film, the kind both kids and adults can enjoy. A movie about witches brought back to life, the movie takes place in Salem, Massachusetts, and ushers in all the autumnal images and feel that notion promises. The acting is passable, and with a decent story and progression, “Hocus Pocus” is an easy film to watch, and holds up as an enjoyable Halloween film more than 30 years after its release.
The plot here is that a new kid in school, Max Denison (Omri Katz) inadvertently brings back three evil witches from banishment when he finds their ‘book of spells.’ We have seen from the film’s beginning what kind of witches these are – the kind that takes joy in gaining eternal youth by drinking the souls of the town’s children, and turning a protective brother of one of the children (Sean Murray) into a black cat. They are hung by local townsfolk, thought gone forever.
Only a virgin can re-summon the witches, and the film has a bit of fun at Max’s expense over this fact. But it works to set up the teen romance he attempts to have with the girl of his dreams, Alison (Vinessa Shaw, “40 Days and 40 Nights“), as the film progresses. Max’s other job during the film is to protect his sister (Thora Birch) from the witches’ grasp as they are brought back to life.
“Hocus Pocus” does a number of things right. First, cinematically, if paints the perfect image of autumn as Halloween approaches. The film is shot by Hiro Narita, and he does well in showing fall’s changing colors, quaint streets, and flyovers of the town of Salem, which carries with it its own brand of Halloween-esque qualities.
The film is directed by Kenny Ortega, who also helmed “High School Musical,” and seems at home here with the material. He pulls us through a litany of expected experiences for Max, such as being bullied, meeting the girl of his dreams, angst with parents, and, or course, disagreements with his sister. Probably my favorite character-setting scene has to be when Max has his new sneakers stolen by a pair of bullies while biking home. With Alison on his mind, having to contend with two bullies is the last thing he expects – but likely what a new kid in town would have to deal with. Ortega understands this.
Of course, there are a number of supernatural elements in the film, and Ortega and company pull them off without going overboard. Jinx the cat (Sean Murray) is still in the picture, cursed with eternal life, and determined to save Max and his sister from the trio of witches.
The witches themselves are played by a mix of Hollywood alum and some lesser players, and deliver pleasing performances. As the leader, Bette Midler plays Winifred. Following her are two others, Sarah, played by Sarah Jessica Parker (pre fame from “Sex in the City”), and Mary, played by Kathy Najimy (“Sister Act“). These two are pleasing to watch, even if they are reduced to the caricatures of being immature, bumbling fools that Winifred must deal with.
The witches have only one night to secure enough children’s souls to gain eternal life or be banished forever. They have a book of spells (which they seek to reclaim from Max and Alison), and this green, glowing potion produced in a large cauldron. Despite the childishness these images conjure, the whole thing is treated with a dose of realism and immediacy; we, as viewers, believe wholeheartedly that the witches mean bad news and the children of Salem are doubtless in trouble.
“Hocus Pocus” is full of a fair amount of cliché, but the thing is it doesn’t really matter. This feels like a ‘90s film, and pulls viewers welcomingly into its Halloween atmosphere. Many films take place during Halloween, but few in fact feel like it. This one does, although with less a morose undertone as John Carpenter’s 1978 classic “Halloween.” Underneath it all, “Hocus Pocus” means to be fun, and is just that.
“Hocus Pocus” is a nice film. It features a great setting, a quick pace, neat costume design, and an experience kids will enjoy without insulting the intelligence of adults. It features decent acting (particularly by Midler and Katz), and is a good throwback Halloween film at its core. Looking for a fun film to watch with the family this Halloween? Here you go.
– by Mark Ziobro
