The 1998 film Practical Magic, starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman as two witchy sisters, has become a cult favorite over the years. The supernatural dramedy’s success can be attributed to its magnetic cast, emphasis on sisterhood, and a memorable soundtrack. Now, Practical Magic 2, the legacy sequel, is set to hit theaters, featuring the core original cast in a movie that, unfortunately, is marred by a weak script and awkward moments.
The Plot Thickens
The time jump between the first movie and this one is approximately 18-20 years, allowing Sally’s daughters to grow up, but not enough time for the original film’s Evan Rachel Wood to return. The story begins with a brutal reveal: the curse that has haunted the Owens women for centuries has claimed Gary, Sally’s second husband. In an attempt to protect her daughters, Kiley and Antonia, Sally magically erases their memories of magic and stops using it herself.
The New Generation
Years later, Kiley and Antonia, now played by Joey King and Maisie Williams, are living their lives as young adults, unaware of their witchy heritage. Their aunt Gillian (Nicole Kidman) and great-aunts Jet (Dianne Wiest) and Frances (Stockard Channing) continue to practice magic, but keep the girls in the dark per Sally’s wishes. However, when Kiley’s boyfriend Gideon (Xolo Maridueña) falls into a coma, the truth about their legacy is revealed, and Kiley sets out to find a solution, guided by an ancient book filled with potentially dark magic.
A Mixed Bag
The movie’s attempts at lighter beats feel jarring, given the sour note it begins on. The screenplay is plagued by poor logic, and contrivance drives the plot more often than not. Despite this, the film works thanks to its stars, with Bullock and Kidman still drawing a strong sisterly bond. Susanne Bier takes over directing duties, emphasizing a loose, improvised style that allows the two stars to riff together.
Supporting Cast and Soundtrack
The cast includes Lee Pace as an occult academic who delivers exposition and romance, but feels forced at times. The male characters are one-dimensional, being either very good or very bad, while the women are underserved, with Gillian relegated to a sidekick role and Maisie Williams largely absent from the action. The soundtrack, unfortunately, disappoints in comparison to the first film, although it does feature a Florence + the Machine needle drop.
The movie’s emphasis on female characters is still present, even if not as strong as in the original. Practical Magic 2 is set to hit theaters on September 10th, and while it may not live up to the standards of the first film, it still casts a spell thanks to Bullock and Kidman‘s performances.
Pixel P. Snarkbyte, widely regarded as the “Shakespeare of Sh*tposts,” is a video game expert with a unique knack for turning pixels into punchlines.
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