357. Hocus Pocus; movie review

 

 

HOCUS POCUS

Cert PG

96 mins

BBFC advice: Contains mild scary scenes, violence, sex references

Big hair, soft focus and overacting, backed by plenty of guitar riffs - yep, these were the hallmarks of films from the mid-80s to early 90s.

And Hocus Pocus had them all.

Kenny Ortega was known as a pop video director when he took the helm of this spook-fest and the link is obvious.

So, while he has carried over the style, the substance is sadly missing.

Hocus Pocus is akin to pantomime on the big screen minus the laughs.

Bette Middler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy play witches who snatch children and extract their breath to make them younger,

They were rounded up by the townsfolk of Salem after two of their kids disappeared and their existence has become legend for 300 years.

And then when a full moon coincides with Halloween, they have the chance to come back to life if a special candle is lit in their house.

Meanwhile, teenager Max Dennison (Omri Katz) is reluctantly out trick or treating with his younger sister (Thora Birch) when they chance upon his school crush (Vinessa Shaw).

They visit the old witches' house and, sure enough, not believing in scary old legends, he lights the candle and the old crones are back.

However, if they want to remain they have to exchange the lives of more of Salem's children for theirs.

So, they set about repeating their old ways while clashing with a world which is three centuries into their future.

It's madcap stuff with Midler very much centre stage, hamming it up as only she can.

When it was initially released at cinemas in 1993, we missed out on Hocus Pocus because our kids were very small. Even though we watched it fresh this time, I fear it hasn't passed the test of time well enough for the current generation.

They would think the special effects are tame and just wouldn't get the big hair.

The rest of us might be asking... why the hell was that ever fashionable?

Reasons to watch: Bette Midler

Reasons to avoid: Doesn't pass the test of time

Laughs: None

Jumps: None

Vomit: None

Nudity: None

Overall rating: 6/10

Did you know? Leonardo DiCaprio said he was offered "more money than (he) ever dreamed of" to play "Hocus Pocus" leading man Max Dennison. But DiCaprio turned down the part to hold out for a role in  "What's Eating Gilbert Grape" — a film he hadn't auditioned for yet.

The final word. Kenny Ortega “People have just found it and found the treasure that is there with Kathy and Bette and Sarah; their wonderful, incredible chemistry and good humour. It’s just a fun movie that just takes you away and there’s just magic there.” Explore Entertainment

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