Hocus Pocus

Pure. Damn. Fun. Enough said.

Well, not really. Hocus Pocus to me is the perfect Halloween film. It's a lot of fun, the performances are great and the story itself is enjoyable. But let's just dive right in.

A long time ago there lived the Sanderson sisters, Winnifred (Better Middler), Sarah (Sarah Jessica Parker) and Mary (Kathy Najimy). The trio of witches possess a book given to Winnifred by the devil himself and use this to brew all sorts of nasty potions. The primary one they use allows them to suck the life out of children, thereby extending their own lives. As they renew themselves, they are interrupted by Thackery Binx who has come to save his sister. Sadly this is all in vain as his sister is killed and he is turned into a black cat, forced to live with his guilt.

Many years later we find our protagonists, Max Dennison, his younger sister Dani and the love interest, Allison. After being forced into taking his little sister trick or treating, the duo eventually arrive at Allison's house. After discussing the shared interest in the Sanderson's now vacant home, they decide to go and check it out since Allison conveniently has the key to get in. Of course, Max goofs around and accidentally summons the witches back with the Black Flame Candle.

After a close call, our heroes escape and Binx who is still alive and kicking joins up with them to provide whatever help he can. Joining our feisty villains is Billy the Butcher, an ex-lover of both Winnifred and Sarah's who comes back as a zombie to chase our heroes. Many hijinks ensue until finally the witches seem to meet their demise with a trap worthy of Fred from Scooby-Doo. Only without the fail.

This is actually part of the movie that seems to make me question the morals of our heroes. Why don't they have any qualms over burning three women alive? Ah, who cares since they come back anyways!

Ready to face the bitter end, the sisters try to recreate the potion from memory to little success. However, when the good intentions of Max and Allison go wrong, the book lights up their location and allows the witches to get their shot at one last stand. Kidnapping Dani, they make a fresh batch of potion though it nearly all goes to waste thanks to Max who arrives in the nick of time. The kids make their final stand against the witches in the graveyard with the help of Billy (who is apparently a good zombie), stalling for the sunrise. In the end, the witches are destroyed with the rising sun.

This movie is completely fun. The jokes are still hilarious to this day and are delivered constantly. The true highlight of this film is the Sanderson sisters who are wonderfully played and their interactions with each other is a delight. The kids are well done which is surprising in Dani's (Thora Birch) instance given just how fickle some child actors can be, and how they can tend to steal the spotlight. One of my favorite scenes is the "I Put A Spell On You" song and dance performed by Better Middler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy.

Always, always, always worth at least one viewing during the Halloween season and can even be fun out of season as well.