Hocus Pocus (1993) (Disney)

Three centuries ago in colonial America, the Sanderson sisters practiced witchcraft, much to the consternation of their neighbors who apparently gave them wide berth. Unfortunately, growing old and haggard, they needed to rejuvenate themselves by inhaling the life force of a child. So, they lured Emily Binx, a neighboring child, into their cottage. She is followed by her brother, Zachery, who tries to save her, but is unable to do so before he is discovered and turned into a black cat for all eternity. The three witches breathe in Emily's life force, with dire consequences for Emily, but the witches themselves turn more youthful thanks to Emily's life force. The townsfolk convene upon the cottage and capture the witches, whom they arrange to hang, but not before the witches cast a spell that is to have future ramifications.

Cut to present day America. It is Halloween. Two teens and one of the teen's little sister break into the witches cottage, which is still standing as a sort of historical museum. One of the teens does something that brings the witches back, and all hell breaks loose. Just sit back and let the laughs begin. What happens is quite funny, as the witches are hilarious. This is entertainment, pure and simple. What you see, is what you get.


Bette! You Witch!   July 28, 2006
T. Hazelhurst (Merseyside, UK)
11 out of 11 found this review helpful

Youve gotta love Hocus Pocus! Its a classic Disney film, Great to watch at anytime of the year...not just halloween (Thats a note for you, the TV Companies that only show it at Halloween Time) With great characters, great actors, humourous storyline, brilliant songs and just a plain old disney classic for any age! Must watch! Buy it now if you dont own it!!!


It'll put a spell on yoooooooooooohooooooooooooo   June 21, 2006
Mooch
9 out of 9 found this review helpful

I recently re-discovered this film and have to say that I enjoy it just as much now, aged 16, as I did when Bette Midler's showstopping rendition of "I'll Put a Spell on You" was first imprinted on my brain at the tender age of six. Sure, it does drag in places (the child actors are not exactly brimming over with charisma...) and the marked, albeit supremely camp, wickedness of the witches may be too much for some younger children to handle, but for sheer entertainment value this film is hard to beat.
It has a surprisingly interesting plot and all three Macbeth-style witches (the mythical "Saunderson sisters") light up the screen whenever the camera falls on them. In particular, the incomparable Bette Midler is outstanding as the eldest witch (she steals the show with the aforementioned rendition of "I'll Put a Spell on You"), although Sara Jessica Parker (of Sex and the City fame) is also fabulous as the child-tempting youngest sister- I really didn't have to suspend much belief when her creepy "Come Little Children" siren song lured the entire youngest generation of Salem from its beds!
I babysit for a great many children and have yet to come across one whom this film is unable to charm.
So, if you're looking for a fun Halloween (or indeed, any time of year) movie that the whole family will enjoy, you can't go far wrong with this one

And it stars BETTE MIDLER... as a WITCH!


Come little chilren, I'll take thee away!   April 2, 2006
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

I absoloutly love Hocus Pocus, even now in my 20th year of life its still a favourite to watch on Hallowe'en night.

Winifred (Bette Midler), Mary (Kathy Najimy) and Sarah (Sarah Jessica Parker)Sanderson are the three wicked Witches stalking Salem, Massetchuses and sucking the lives out of the little children in a bid to make them young again. However, they are eventually caught and hanged by the Salem townfolk after sucking the lives out of Emily Binx and turning her brother Zackery (or Thackery) into a talking cat.

Fast foward 300 years and a young sceptic and new kid on the block Max Dennerson along with his eight year old sister Danny goes to the old Sanderson house in order to impress Alison, a girl he really fancies from school. However, despite Alisons warning, Max manages to resurrect the witches by lighting the black flame candle that brings them back to life when lit by a virgin on Hallowe'en night...

A thrilling chase around the town ensues as Max, Alison and Danny must stay one step ahead of the witches in order to save the Salem children from having the lives sucked out of them. If the witches steal the lives of children they will live forever, but if not, then when the sun rises they are dust. But how can Max, Danny and Alison make the sun rise and rid Salem of the Sanderson Sisters once and for all...

A great spooky Hallowe'en film but I'd recommend it for slightly older children as Billy, the long dead lover of Whinnie Sanderson being summoned from his grave is not one of the prettiest sights a child will ever see, and this spooked me out even aged 10 when I saw it for the first time (OK I admit I'm a whimp!) However, it's worth a look just to see the witches wonderful resourcefulness when young children steal their brooms and instead they ride a mop, a broom and ...a hoover! Yes a modern day vacuume cleaner, it's fabulously fun and funny, and Sarah Jessica Parker also sings in the film, albeit briefly. If you want a thrill on Halloween night then watch this film, wonderfully entertaining, but not designed to give you nightmares. A wonderful Disney Classic to add to your collection. A nice touch at the end where the spirit of Thackery or whatever he's called (the cat)is released and he and his sister walk hand in hand to heaven. His final parting line being "I'm sorry Emily, I had to wait 300 years for a Virgin to light a candle!" A delightful film to spook up your Hallowe'en or even any day of the year!


NOT JUST FOR KIDS!   March 12, 2000
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

Again another excellent film for disney! Bette Midler is fantastic at playing one of the Sanderson sisters, witches that are executed back in the 17th century, but return (they're bought back to life by accident) in the 19th century. It is a excellent film full of laughs - great for kids and disney lovers everywhere!