Here we are, watching one of my wife’s favorite (more likely her all-time favorite) films, Hocus Pocus. Never before have I hated a film to the degree that I have Hocus Pocus, and I’ve found just about every aspect of the film deplorable since my first viewing. I was once told by a good friend, however, that if you listen to a song enough times you’ll eventually like it--and, oddly enough, I’m finding that true of Kenny Ortega’s 1993 Halloween film about a virgin and three terribly annoying sisters. I’m honestly a little disappointed in myself regarding my somewhat newfound feelings about the film, but I can’t lie to myself about how I feel. So, as I sit here, watching Hocus Pocus for what feels like the millionth time, I find myself enjoying the film--but, uncharacteristic of me, I’m struggling to put into words what it is that I like. Part of me believes that I’ve become numb to the ridiculousness of the film, and part of me feels as if after seeing it so many times I’ve been able to notice some of the subtle intricacies of what the film has to offer. Regardless, my opinion has changed.
In Salem, Massachusetts, 1693, the Sanderson sisters--Winifred (Bette Midler), Sarah (Sarah Jessica Parker), and Mary (Kathy Najimy)--are killed after turning Thackery Binx (Jason Marsden/Sean Murray) into a cat. Three-hundred years later a virgin, Max (Omri Katz), his sister Dani (Thora Birch), and new friend Allison (Vinessa Shaw), bring the sisters back to life. With a genuine hunger for children, the sisters wreak havoc on Salem once again. It’s up to three children to stop the horrible witches and bring balance back to the unassuming and Halloween-fanatic Salem.
There are honestly so many aspects of Hocus Pocus that I truly cannot stand, starting with the three sisters. The acting of Midler, Parker, and Najimy is subpar to say the least. I have something of an aversion to Shane West’s face as I stated in my review of A Walk to Remember, and I have very similar feelings when it comes to Midler and Najimy. Their facial expressions throughout the course of the film are nothing short of frustrating, and they lose more and more credibility the further we get into the film. Of these three, Parker is the only one who manages to entertain, and that’s not even due to her acting--the sad reality is that because Parker is attractive, she manages to resonate with viewers. The characters, not just the acting, are so absurd, and I cannot, no matter how many times I watch, get past these three.
The entirety of the film is cheesy, beyond most things I’ve seen before. The odd jokes, overacting, and unrealistic aspects (yes, I know the film is about a few witches that have returned from the dead--but I can appreciate this aspect of the film) are often too much to handle--but there are some serious inconsistencies that cannot be overlooked. Hocus Pocus is truly unbearable at times through these inconsistencies, and the film struggles on so many levels as a result.
Considering the fact that I actually enjoy Hocus Pocus at this point, there has to be something I appreciate about the film, and that is the story and the animation/animatronics. Considering this is a children’s film from the early 1990’s, there aren’t incredibly high expectations for the animation (CGI), but the reality is that it is done quite well. Binx (a black cat) is the epitome of what Hocus Pocus has to offer in terms of animatronics and bringing fiction to life. Furthermore, the story, regardless of its inconsistencies, is entertaining. In reality, the story of bringing three vindictive witches back to life and seeing them attempt to eat children is quintessential Halloween cinema, and that’s what viewers get from Hocus Pocus.
For what it’s worth, I’ve suffered through this film literally dozens of times in order to like it and make my wife happy. Now, I’m not sure if I’m happy or aggravated about this, but I’ve finally come to appreciate aspects of Hocus Pocus and some of what it has to offer. The film is certainly not without flaws, and a majority of the film is frustrating, but there are aspects that allow the film to find success, and I’ve been able to understand and see those aspects as of late. While it’s most definitely not my favorite Halloween film, and it’s imperative that I only see it once or twice a year, I’ve come around to Hocus Pocus and finally see that it has cinematic value--and to change my mind is a feat in itself.
Directed by Kenny Ortega.
Written by David Kirschner, Mick Garris, & Neil Cuthbert.
Starring Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy, Omri Katz, Thora Birch, Vinessa Shaw, Amanda Shephard, Larry Bagby, Tobias Jelinek, Stephanie Faracy, Charles Rocket, Doug Jones, Sean Murray, Jason Marsden, etc.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐½/10
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