On October 31st, 1693, in Salem, Massachusetts three witches are tried and sentenced to death. Just before, the elder sister, Winifred (Midler) recites a curse that will bring them back, when someone lights a bewitched, Black Flame candle.
Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy appear to be having a great time, camping it up as a trio of cackling witches (the rather famous Sanderson sisters), in Disney's Halloween fan favourite, Hocus Pocus.
The children are well chosen, with Omri Katz as (new to the area) Max Dennison, Thora Birch as Dani (his 8-year-old sister who loves Halloween), and Vinessa Shaw as Allison (Max's crush and classmate) proving to be welcome companions.
Tagging along is an immortal talking cat (which is really Thackery Binx, a teenage boy from 1693) and a zombie who keeps losing his head (Doug Jones), aka Willaim 'Billy,' Butcherson, a man who was poisoned by Winifred in 1693.
Hocus Pocus is a magical good time (with clever misunderstandings of modern day life) that seems to increase in popularity every year. The enchanted dance sing-along is a highlight. Great fun. Followed by a sequel in 2022.
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DIRECTED BY: Kenny Ortega. SCREENPLAY BY: Mick Garris, Neil Cuthbert. RUNNING TIME: 96 minutes. CERTIFICATE: PG. USA.
