The long-awaited sequel to the 1998 cult classic Practical Magic has finally arrived, and it’s a messy, charming, and occasionally bewildering ride. Fans of the original will be thrilled to see Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman reprising their roles as witchy sisters Sally and Gilly Owens, and the film’s early scenes nicely capture the same relaxed energy that made the first movie a beloved staple of basic cable.
But let’s get real – the real magic happens when the studio executives get together to decide which IP to revive next. And what’s more magical than a 30-year-old romance about witches, curses, and sisterly love? It’s like they say: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it – just add more CGI and a few obligatory nods to the next generation.”
The Owens Sisters Are Back, and So Are the Curses
The story picks up 30 years after the events of the first film, with Sally and Gilly still dealing with the fallout of their family’s curse, which ensures that any man they love will die. It’s a real mood-killer, but hey, at least they have each other – and a pair of talented young actresses in Joey King and Maisie Williams, who play Sally’s daughters Kylie and Antonia. The sisters are all grown up and ready to take on the world, or at least the forces of darkness that threaten their family.
But as the story progresses, it becomes clear that Practical Magic 2 is suffering from a bad case of legacyquel-itis – too many characters, too many plot threads, and not enough time to do any of them justice. It’s like the filmmakers took every idea they had, threw them in a blender, and hit puree. The result is a movie that’s equal parts heartwarming drama, supernatural thriller, and action-packed blockbuster. It’s a strange and unpredictable combination, but hey, at least it’s faithful to the original.
A Movie of Two Tones
Director Susanne Bier does her best to balance the film’s disparate elements, but it’s clear that she’s fighting an uphill battle. The movie’s bombastic conclusion, which features the Owens sisters wielding magical powers like they’re in a Marvel movie, feels like a betrayal of the original’s more low-key charm. But hey, at least it’s a reminder that in Hollywood, bigger is always better – unless you’re talking about budgets, in which case smaller is always more “artistic.”
Despite its flaws, Practical Magic 2 is still a movie that will appeal to fans of the original. It’s a messy, imperfect, and occasionally ridiculous film, but it’s also a film that wears its heart on its sleeve. And let’s be real – in an era where every movie feels like a calculated attempt to launch a franchise or spawn a thousand memes, it’s nice to see a film that’s just trying to tell a story, no matter how silly it may be.
So if you’re looking for a movie that’s a little bit magic, a little bit romance, and a little bit ridiculous, then Practical Magic 2 is the film for you. Just don’t expect it to make too much sense – after all, as the great philosopher once said, “You can’t keep a good curse down.” And in Hollywood, you can’t keep a good IP down either – no matter how hard you try, it’ll always come back to haunt you. Somewhere, a focus group is earning another bonus.
Finn McFrame, celebrated satirical mastermind and self-proclaimed “Emperor of Irony,” started his illustrious career as a cinematographer, where his expertise in capturing every single frame of a squirrel stealing a baguette earned him accolades at obscure film festivals.
Born in the glamorous town of Boring, Oregon, Finn grew up with dreams of being a Hollywood director until he realized that satire, not cinema, was his true calling—or at least the one that let him sleep until noon.
Finn McFrame: changing the world, one satirical lens flare at a time.
