Kenny Ortega’s Hocus Pocus film has grown increasingly in popularity from when it was first published back in the 1990s. The movie’s horror, laughter, and fantasy outlook knows how to hook the viewer, along with the eerie atmosphere of the woods and the three witches: Sarah, Mary, and Winifred. Plus, the main characters Max and Dani fit into the plot of the movie perfectly due to the Halloween theme and the witch’s roles in the movie. The story’s main focus was specifically set for Halloween and children, which portrays great examples of child entertainment in the movie itself.
As stated before, the main characters Max, Dani, and the witch’s all play a very important role in the movie. For instance, before the three characters were executed, the main witch states, “You can’t get rid of us, we will be back, the Sanderson sisters!” (Winifred, Hocus Pocus). This quote leads up to the events of how Max and his sister Dani accidentally re-awakened the three siblings and how what Winifred stated back then had become true. Max’s role in the movie was very well fit for the character because of his protectiveness and driven personality towards saving his sister from the witches.
Costumes portrayed throughout the film were used to get into the mood/theme of the scary Halloween time and the era back in the 1800s. Before the movie switched to the present-day scene, the 1800s clothing had more rugged textures and faded, depressing colors, which added more authenticity to how the past was presented and dressed. When the scene was present day, the characters’ clothing was very colorful and vibrant, showing how far establishments had traveled into the future. Yet even though the witch sisters had been “reborn,” they still had the same clothing style, stating, “We still look as good as ever!” (Sarah, Hocus Pocus).
Now, along with all of the costumes and time frames, the film’s story distributes many important themes and ideas. One theme that stuck out throughout the whole movie is the value of family and relationships. For example, the characters Binx and his sister, Max, and Dani share brother and sister bonds because they are trying to save their little sisters from the witches. Similarly, the witches also share a family bond, which ties the theme all together.
On a personal scale, I would rate this movie five out of five stars all because of the story’s interesting chemistry and plot view. It’s clear that the motive of the film was to teach others about relationships and family. The film snatches the watcher’s attention, whether it’s the clothing, set, scene, theme, or anything else, it makes the viewer want to watch it again. All in all, Hocus Pocus is a very entertaining movie, plus, a catchy classic.
