Hocus Pocus

A film review by Christopher Null - Copyright © 2004 Filmcritic.com

Bette Midler, never known for subtlety, got more permission to overact here than should be allowed by law. Not only is she playing a witch, but her hair is red and done up into a fright 'do, and two little hominy teeth jut out over her lower lip. Hocus Pocus, Disney's family-friendly witch-burning film, also features tons of "wow look how young they used to be!" performances from Thora Birch, Vinessa Shaw, and a few others. Modern audiences will probably enjoy watching a bizarre Sarah Jessica Parker ham it up as one of a trio of Salem-era witches reincarnated in the 1990s (they ride vacuum cleaners!) and after the children of the town. Too bad the story is so disposable.

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Rating

2.5 out of 5 Stars

Cast and Crew

  • Director: Kenny Ortega
  • Producer: Steven Haft, David Kirschner
  • Screenwriter: Mick Garris, Neil Cuthbert
  • Stars: Jason Marsden, Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy, Omri Katz, Thora Birch, Vinessa Shaw
  • MPAA Rating: PG