Hocus Pocus 2 Review: 4 Ups & 6 Downs

1. It's A Comedy Sequel That Doesn't Ruin The Original

It will unavoidably sound like a backhanded compliment, but considering the history of decades-later comedy sequels which made fans question just how good the original actually was, Hocus Pocus 2 isn't a remotely sacrilegious follow-up.

Sure, it's not very good, but it'll serve as fine enough comfort food for many, and doesn't do a single thing that decisively undermines, contradicts, or straight-up ruins the 1993 original.

It is a film that people will watch and then, whether they love it or hate it, get on with the rest of their lives in the safe assurance that the first Hocus Pocus is still everything it was before this sequel came out.

Belated comedy sequels are a tricky proposition at the best of times, and that Hocus Pocus 2 turned out thunderously mediocre is very far from a worst case scenario. It's... something?