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3.4 AVERAGE
3.4 AVERAGE
Fourteen.
The number of times I've watched Hocus Pocus this October alone. To say I'm a Superfan is an understatement - I pretty much know the dialogue by heart, I've made a replica of the Spell Book, I've watched it repeatedly ever since I rented it on video a year after it came out in 1995. I know and love this movie.
Unlike some, I don't cry out for a sequel. I think that the Sandersons story is finished - I don't think we need a second film. This, however, is not an opinion shared by other fans, who regularly petition Disney to release a Sequel. The second half of this book is, at the time of writing this review, the only official Disney approved sequel to the film.
The first part of the book is the movie, mostly to the line. There are some minor differences (Sarah isn't referred to as "tart-face" and there's no fake cop interaction). The start is very different too, it takes about 15 pages to get where we are at the beginning of the film. It's enjoyable, even if it lacks the magic (no pun intended) of the movie.
The second part of the book is set 25 years after the events of 1993. It's a very different world, as we know - technology features heavily, there's much more of a focus on diversity, and the characters have all grown up. Here are my Pros and Cons:
PROS
Catching up with Max, Allison, Dani and some old names.
New members of the Dennison and Sanderson families.
The use of technology.
The storyline, for the most part.
Mary's solo musical number.
Nobody says "virgin" every ten minutes.
Realistic LGBT representation.
Ever wonder what happened to Jay and Ernie after Halloween? You'll find out!
Max & Allison's Halloween costumes.
CONS
Repetition - "Amok! Amok! Amok!" in the first part becomes "Enough! Enough! Enough!" in the second; Their brooms are stolen again; The protagonists only have until Sunrise to rectify the situation; Someone spits chocolate out in disgust.
The ending - enough! enough! enough!
There are only so many ways to do a sequel when you have characters as iconic as the Sandersons. To change their personalities at all would have taken away from the stories, and the author hasn't done that. In that respect, I think they've done a good job. The illustrations by Irish artist Matt Griffin make a nice lead into each chapter.
I think that the author did well considering how well loved the film is. There was only one way a sequel could go - a return, a threat, a resolution. All three are covered in a way that still respects the original story. The characters are expanded on, the stories are added to, and it feels like we get insider knowledge into some of the issues that were unresolved in the film. This was a massive undertaking and a huge responsibility - I'm not sure exactly how enjoyable it would be to someone who hasn't seen the movie, but I really liked it.
The number of times I've watched Hocus Pocus this October alone. To say I'm a Superfan is an understatement - I pretty much know the dialogue by heart, I've made a replica of the Spell Book, I've watched it repeatedly ever since I rented it on video a year after it came out in 1995. I know and love this movie.
Unlike some, I don't cry out for a sequel. I think that the Sandersons story is finished - I don't think we need a second film. This, however, is not an opinion shared by other fans, who regularly petition Disney to release a Sequel. The second half of this book is, at the time of writing this review, the only official Disney approved sequel to the film.
The first part of the book is the movie, mostly to the line. There are some minor differences (Sarah isn't referred to as "tart-face" and there's no fake cop interaction). The start is very different too, it takes about 15 pages to get where we are at the beginning of the film. It's enjoyable, even if it lacks the magic (no pun intended) of the movie.
The second part of the book is set 25 years after the events of 1993. It's a very different world, as we know - technology features heavily, there's much more of a focus on diversity, and the characters have all grown up. Here are my Pros and Cons:
PROS
Catching up with Max, Allison, Dani and some old names.
New members of the Dennison and Sanderson families.
The use of technology.
The storyline, for the most part.
Mary's solo musical number.
Nobody says "virgin" every ten minutes.
Realistic LGBT representation.
Ever wonder what happened to Jay and Ernie after Halloween? You'll find out!
Max & Allison's Halloween costumes.
CONS
Repetition - "Amok! Amok! Amok!" in the first part becomes "Enough! Enough! Enough!" in the second; Their brooms are stolen again; The protagonists only have until Sunrise to rectify the situation; Someone spits chocolate out in disgust.
The ending - enough! enough! enough!
There are only so many ways to do a sequel when you have characters as iconic as the Sandersons. To change their personalities at all would have taken away from the stories, and the author hasn't done that. In that respect, I think they've done a good job. The illustrations by Irish artist Matt Griffin make a nice lead into each chapter.
I think that the author did well considering how well loved the film is. There was only one way a sequel could go - a return, a threat, a resolution. All three are covered in a way that still respects the original story. The characters are expanded on, the stories are added to, and it feels like we get insider knowledge into some of the issues that were unresolved in the film. This was a massive undertaking and a huge responsibility - I'm not sure exactly how enjoyable it would be to someone who hasn't seen the movie, but I really liked it.
This is an adorable sequel to the movie! Disneyfied, and sweet but with some more frantic feeling scenes than the original. I also love the little romantic high school drama. This is exactly what I expected from this book 😊
3.5/5
Hocus Pocus has turned 25! Time flies. I’ll be honest, it’s probably been at least a decade since I last watched this movie - so the finer plot points are quite fuzzy. Luckily, this book has it covered. The first third is a straight novelization of the film, which is a great refresher. The second part is Halloween 25 years later (so - now) and the Sanderson sisters are back!
This story was so entertaining, creative and fun. It definitely held on to the tone of the original film - I could picture Bette Midler letting loose with Winnie’s lines. And there was some really positive LGBTA representation, which I LOVED. The main characters are teens and they were solidly written. The adults were a bit more flat, but I’m almost assuming it was intentional - it’s clearly aimed at a younger audience.
Overall, the book was great, but I struggled with the point-of-view in the ‘now’ part of the book. It kept switching between first person and third, depending on who was the focus of the chapter. Every time it switched it threw me a little, and pulled me out of the story. BUT! The ending makes up for my struggles. A cliffhanger! Which means.. potential for more HOCUS POCUS!
Hocus Pocus has turned 25! Time flies. I’ll be honest, it’s probably been at least a decade since I last watched this movie - so the finer plot points are quite fuzzy. Luckily, this book has it covered. The first third is a straight novelization of the film, which is a great refresher. The second part is Halloween 25 years later (so - now) and the Sanderson sisters are back!
This story was so entertaining, creative and fun. It definitely held on to the tone of the original film - I could picture Bette Midler letting loose with Winnie’s lines. And there was some really positive LGBTA representation, which I LOVED. The main characters are teens and they were solidly written. The adults were a bit more flat, but I’m almost assuming it was intentional - it’s clearly aimed at a younger audience.
Overall, the book was great, but I struggled with the point-of-view in the ‘now’ part of the book. It kept switching between first person and third, depending on who was the focus of the chapter. Every time it switched it threw me a little, and pulled me out of the story. BUT! The ending makes up for my struggles. A cliffhanger! Which means.. potential for more HOCUS POCUS!
I mean... it reads like the Disney channel original movie it will probably be. It’s ... cute, sometimes trying to hard and not as good as the original. Honestly I’m a little disappointed. I don’t think that the author really knows what the audience wanted from a sequel or loved about the original.
It was enjoyable. The new story bore resemblance to the old, which was disappointing. But the Sanderson Sisters make it worth reading.
Note: I did not read the first half of Hocus Pocus & the All-New Sequel, as it was just a rehashing of the film & I wasn’t here for that. This review will strictly be based on the All-New Sequel portion.
’tis the season for spooky vibes & major nostalgia, amiright? Kaleena from Reader Voracious & I chose to bring in the Halloween season with a Hocus Pocus & the All-New Sequel buddy read! It provided us with a decent dosage of giggles & ghoulish shenanigans!
Hocus Pocus & the All-New Sequel takes place twenty-five years after Max lit the black flame candle, and follows his daughter, Poppy, through her own Halloween experience versus the Sanderson Sisters. Hocus Pocus & the All-New Sequel features a new cast of faces, alongside the faces we already know & love.
What would a Hocus Pocus story be without the Sanderson sisters? One of my favorite aspects of Hocus Pocus & the All-New Sequel is that I read every line of the Sanderson sisters in their voices. Perhaps that has to do with the fact that I’ve seen the movie 822 times, but more likely it’s due to the book staying true to the witches’ characters. Reading this book was just like watching a movie — I was able to envision everything.
& in general, it was just nice to have the Sanderson sisters back. I know we’ve all been waiting for an announcement that Hocus Pocus will have a film-sequel. There’s been several rumors, but alas, nothing has happened. I truly hope that this book will inspire a new film, but if not, I’m so glad that I at least have this story to hold me over.
One thing that Kaleena and I discussed was how we didn’t care much for the new cast of teenage characters. As she had mentioned to me, she felt a disconnect between their age (17 years old) & their actions, and I’d absolutely have to agree. I wasn’t a big fan of their dialogue — it felt too hip, I guess? But, it’s me talking, and I say words like hella & dope on a daily basis.
There is a LGBT element in Hocus Pocus & the All-New Sequel, and ya girl is always here for that. It didn’t feel too forced; the characters were treated as people, and their story didn’t center around the fact that a female character liked another female character. I wouldn’t say that I’m a die-hard shipper, but I appreciated their relationship so much.
Of course, we know that by the end of a Hocus Pocus story, the protagonists will win & the Sanderson sisters will go back to Hell, but the adventure still managed to keep me reading. Right when it feels as if the conflict will be resolved, something flies in on their Swiffer Wet-Jet & ruins the whole darn thing. In general, the adventure that Hocus Pocus & the All-New Sequel takes you on is worth the read.
Binx & Emily makes a come back in Hocus Pocus & the All-New Sequel! Granted, I love Binx as a talking cat (listen, I’m a cat person), which is not the form he arrives in, but I still loved seeing a favorite face return.
Also, listen, one of my favorite aspects of the entire book is the spirit board. With words such as Hey, Ghoul, Hey & Ghoul, Bye written on the board, I knew this board was for me. If anyone could figure out where to purchase one of these for Kaleena & myself, let us know.
In general, Hocus Pocus & the All-New Sequel was better than expected. I wouldn’t say it’s the best — but it was cute & fun & definitely provided me with the nostalgia factor that I needed.
’tis the season for spooky vibes & major nostalgia, amiright? Kaleena from Reader Voracious & I chose to bring in the Halloween season with a Hocus Pocus & the All-New Sequel buddy read! It provided us with a decent dosage of giggles & ghoulish shenanigans!
Hocus Pocus & the All-New Sequel takes place twenty-five years after Max lit the black flame candle, and follows his daughter, Poppy, through her own Halloween experience versus the Sanderson Sisters. Hocus Pocus & the All-New Sequel features a new cast of faces, alongside the faces we already know & love.
What would a Hocus Pocus story be without the Sanderson sisters? One of my favorite aspects of Hocus Pocus & the All-New Sequel is that I read every line of the Sanderson sisters in their voices. Perhaps that has to do with the fact that I’ve seen the movie 822 times, but more likely it’s due to the book staying true to the witches’ characters. Reading this book was just like watching a movie — I was able to envision everything.
& in general, it was just nice to have the Sanderson sisters back. I know we’ve all been waiting for an announcement that Hocus Pocus will have a film-sequel. There’s been several rumors, but alas, nothing has happened. I truly hope that this book will inspire a new film, but if not, I’m so glad that I at least have this story to hold me over.
One thing that Kaleena and I discussed was how we didn’t care much for the new cast of teenage characters. As she had mentioned to me, she felt a disconnect between their age (17 years old) & their actions, and I’d absolutely have to agree. I wasn’t a big fan of their dialogue — it felt too hip, I guess? But, it’s me talking, and I say words like hella & dope on a daily basis.
There is a LGBT element in Hocus Pocus & the All-New Sequel, and ya girl is always here for that. It didn’t feel too forced; the characters were treated as people, and their story didn’t center around the fact that a female character liked another female character. I wouldn’t say that I’m a die-hard shipper, but I appreciated their relationship so much.
Of course, we know that by the end of a Hocus Pocus story, the protagonists will win & the Sanderson sisters will go back to Hell, but the adventure still managed to keep me reading. Right when it feels as if the conflict will be resolved, something flies in on their Swiffer Wet-Jet & ruins the whole darn thing. In general, the adventure that Hocus Pocus & the All-New Sequel takes you on is worth the read.
Binx & Emily makes a come back in Hocus Pocus & the All-New Sequel! Granted, I love Binx as a talking cat (listen, I’m a cat person), which is not the form he arrives in, but I still loved seeing a favorite face return.
Also, listen, one of my favorite aspects of the entire book is the spirit board. With words such as Hey, Ghoul, Hey & Ghoul, Bye written on the board, I knew this board was for me. If anyone could figure out where to purchase one of these for Kaleena & myself, let us know.
In general, Hocus Pocus & the All-New Sequel was better than expected. I wouldn’t say it’s the best — but it was cute & fun & definitely provided me with the nostalgia factor that I needed.
A must read if this is one of your go-to movies each Halloween. The beginning of the book follows the first movie and is fun to read. The second part/sequel could be hit or miss with readers. Still, if this is one of your favorite movies I would recommend reading it.
I was excited and nervous about this one because I love Hocus Pocus. It was great! The story feels a lot like the movie. I like that it picks up the story 25 years later and includes the original characters. The characters are relatable teenagers, and the female characters are strong and brave. It's a well-done sequel.