Getting a sequel greenlit nearly 30 years after the original movie floundered upon its release likely required a stroke of magic.
So 28 years later, the original stars are back, the midnight margaritas return and even the iconic coastal Massachusetts home at the heart of the first film was rebuilt for the ultimate punch of nostalgia. We pick up shortly after the 1998 film ended, with the Owens sisters seeing the curse that has afflicted their family of witches for generations playing out yet again. Enough time has passed since the original movie that its ’90s wardrobe is back in style. Where a pentagram in the original is forged with whipped cream, it’s done with fire in the sequel. Sally becomes a widow once more after her second husband meets an untimely demise, as do all men who fall in love with an Owens woman. This is where the spooky-playful energy of the original is swapped out for a more spooky-creepy tone. Perhaps more eerie elements come with the territory of a major studio’s release during the ever-expanding Halloween season .
1998’s “Practical Magic,” led by Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman as the Owens family witches, eventually became a cult classic, finding its footing with a home video release and subsequently, streaming services and social media. The first movie was a blend of “Death Becomes Her” and “Halloweentown,” but the sequel sacrifices some of that whimsy in favor of a more genuinely spooky undertone that doesn’t quite fit. But “Practical Magic 2” lacks the moments of pure fun — like Bullock asking PTA moms to form a coven or Kidman telling neighbors to hang onto their husbands when she’s back in town — that made the original film’s darker moments more admissible.
There are still charming, tender moments in the film, propelled by its strong performances. Bullock and Kidman serve up the comedic high points while the emotional heft is deftly carried by Channing, Wiest and King. But the movie’s strongest bond is between Bullock and Kidman, who are good friends offscreen. Their connection to each other, and with director Susanne Bier, who has worked with each of them, keeps the lengthy sequel afloat.
