Practical Magic 2
review by Bobby Blakey
In 1998 Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman teamed up for the film Practical Magic that while wasn’t a big box office success, has become more of a cult hit favorite. Now they are getting the team back together for a sequel co-starring Joey King, Lee Pace, Maisie Williams, Xolo Maridueña, Solly McLeod, Stockard Channing, and Dianne Wiest alongside Bullock and Kidman reprising their roles and Things We Lost in the Fire and Bird Box director Susanne Bier at the helm. Could this new entry bring some magic to the series, or will it fail to cast a spell?
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Practical Magic 2 follows a world steeped in moonlit mischief and powerful ancestral magic, as the Owens sisters must confront the dark curse that threatens to unravel their family once and for all in a must-see cinematic event of fun, magic and mayhem.
I have never been a fan of the original film. It’s fine, but nothing that ever really stood out for me, so I wasn’t overly excited to see this latest entry. I tried to go in with an open mind to see if it had something fresh and fun to say and while I did actually like some elements better than the original it falls into the same territory overall. The story does a good enough job to move the story forward allowing us to rejoin the Owens sisters in a new place without feeling like it is just rehashing the same stuff from the first film.
It can’t fully escape it since the biggest issue is the cures of the family, so it does still have to lean into that element. Bringing the daughters into the family secret is the primary focus and does add a new element that works to not only give these new characters things to do but also delve deeper into the sister’s relationship and the issues they have now. All the returning cast dive right back in with the dynamic of Bullock, Kidman, Channing and Wiest all still having great chemistry.
The new cast are all fine, but it’s Lee Pace that really stands out. He brings a suave swagger and mystery, making him the perfect addition as they delve more into the witchcraft lore and family legend. This is what makes the film more interesting to me as there is more than just the love story and a true witch’s tale here that is fun to watch. The twists and turns they bring are not all that surprising but still makes for a decent watch.
This is a film that will no doubt be more for those that love the first film, but if you don’t won’t likely change your opinion. You do need to see the first movie to know all the lore and direction as it leads directly into this one so be sure to check it out if you haven’t already. I enjoyed the film for what it is, but in the end, it didn’t bring any new magic to pull me into the finished product.
Decide for yourself and check out Practical Magic 2 in theaters now from Warner Bros.