HOCUS POCUS REVIEW

*MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS*

​It's been over two decades since its release yet Hocus Pocus is still one of the most popular Halloween films today. In my opinion, I think that's mainly because of the performances from the three leads, Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy, who play the three witches, Winifred, Sarah and Mary.

After being accidentally awakened 300 years after their execution, a teenage boy, Max (Omri Katz), his younger sister, Dani (Thora Birch) and crush, Allison (Vinessa Shaw) must team up together with the help of a mysterious talking black cat, Binx, to stop the three evil of witches in succeeding in their plan of sucking the souls from every child on Halloween.

Despite being only 96 minutes long, it doesn't take long to set up the premise. We see the three witches being executed (off screen) and we cut to present day (or 1993, when this film was released). We meet the main protagonist, Max, who is an ordinary teenager that's recently moved to a new school. We immediately feel sympathy for him as we see him being bullied and is isolated. Fortunately, on Halloween, his crush, Allison, joins him and his sister to go visit a haunted house.

The three protagonists all give great performances, especially Birch as 9 year old Dani. Most girls her age would be terrified of witches but Dani is brave and even funny at times with her one liners, especially when Max and Dani are at Allison's house and Dani tells her that Max likes her 'yabos'. Yes, this may be a Disney film but it's not without its hints and implications of sex to entertain older viewers.

The film is worth watching for its performances from the leads, Midler, Jessica Parker and Najimy. Put simply, the film wouldn't be as half entertaining without them. Milder gives the best performance as she is almost unrecognisable underneath all the incredible makeup and costume. She portrays Winifred, the leader of the witches, with humour and has hilarious one liners. She also performs a song called 'I Put A Spell On You' at one point in the film which was one of the highlights of the film. Both Jessica Parker and Najimy give just as funny supporting performances as the two other witches.

When this film was being produced, it was originally going to air on the Disney Channel but, due to its popularity, it was released in cinemas in October 1993.

It's not hard to understand why this film is still popular today, it's funny and entertaining.

If you, like me, aren't a fan of gory horror films and would like to watch a Halloween-themed film, look no further than Hocus Pocus.

7/10