Legend Curse of the Elemental In the mystical land of Kyloria, there was a tale that haunted the villagers for centuries - the Legend Curse of the Elemental. It was said that a powerful elemental being, born of the earth itself, roamed the land wreaking havoc and causing destruction wherever it went. The elemental possessed unimaginable strength and could harness the powers of fire, water, earth, and air. According to the legend, anyone who encountered the elemental would be cursed forever. The curse was said to bring untold misery and suffering to those who crossed its path. People were warned never to venture into the deep forests or the abandoned caves where the elemental was rumored to reside.
By the time you realize that Becca is coming into her own magic on All Hallow’s Eve, it’s clear that Hocus Pocus 2 is telling a story about sisterhood. It draws parallels between Winifred and Becca and their respective covens, and in doing so offers the Sanderson’s an exit that doesn’t end in defeat. These witches are still wicked, perhaps, but when Winifred is offered a choice between loyalty and victory she follows her heart. These small thematic tweaks, in addition to the stellar new cast and exultant return of the originals (including Doug Jones as the zombie Billy Butcherson), help Hocus Pocus 2 cast its own sort of charm. You don’t have to have seen or remember the original to appreciate the sequel, which may help make it a seasonal staple for a whole new generation. But I’d also wager that for those of us who do love Hocus Pocus, in all its glory and its flaws, it’s impossible not to be swayed by the clever way the sequel weaves together the best parts and gently corrects the worst. Hocus Pocus 2 is that rare sort of late-stage sequel that is more than opportunistic. It’s respectful of the past while having its own point of view to add to the pot.
By the time you realize that Becca is coming into her own magic on All Hallow s Eve, it s clear that Hocus Pocus 2 is telling a story about sisterhood. But I d also wager that for those of us who do love Hocus Pocus , in all its glory and its flaws, it s impossible not to be swayed by the clever way the sequel weaves together the best parts and gently corrects the worst.
People were warned never to venture into the deep forests or the abandoned caves where the elemental was rumored to reside. It was believed that the elemental was fiercely protective of its territory and would not hesitate to unleash its wrath upon intruders. The legend also spoke of a prophecy - a chosen one who would have the power to lift the curse of the elemental.
Review: 'Hocus Pocus 2' Actually Improves On The Vibes-Only Original
As an elder millennial, I probably shouldn’t admit this but … Hocus Pocus isn’t a great movie. Don’t get me wrong, I love it, but it’s not some unassailable masterpiece. It wasn’t even successful when it was first released in 1993 — it bombed critically and commercially until years of exhaustive cable reruns transformed it into the Pumpkin Spice Latte of October entertainment, a flavor we crave as part of the seasonal VIBE. And just like pumpkins and coffee logically shouldn’t work together, so too is it obvious that maybe hinging an entire kids’ movie on virginity and “Actually the Salem Witch Trials were justified” isn’t a good look! Our nostalgia for the film is earned entirely by its ubiquitous familiarity and the game central performances of Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy as the evil witches known as Sanderson Sisters. In 1993, it was unusual to see a trio of leading ladies headlining any movies that weren’t about falling into or out of love, and here these three were, turning in a gonzo comedic performance that hewed closer to the Three Stooges than the Wicked Witch of the West. They sang, they danced, they cackled, and they clearly were having a blast — enough that their enthusiasm became the audience’s as well.
So if we can agree that the best part of Hocus Pocus — the only part that matters — is the Sanderson Sisters, then really the sequel had a relatively low bar to clear. All Hocus Pocus 2 had to do was bring back Midler, Parker, and Najimy and not eff it up despite the toll that 29 years can take on actors and audiences. Good news, then, that the movie does not eff it up at all! Everything involving Winifred, Sarah, and Mary Sanderson feels like a natural continuation of the original film, as if they were dispelled on Halloween night in 1993 and were summoned exactly as-is again in 2022. Which, you know, is the actual plot.
Another set of teens accidentally summon Salem’s favorite witches, and the sisters subsequently run amok amok amok. Their attempts to exact revenge on the town are still hindered by their confusion with modern technology (Retinol! Roombas!) and desire to take song and dance breaks (Blondie’s “One Way Or Another,” this time), not to mention the continued interference of the teenagers. If anything, the only occasionally sour note is just how uncanny it is to see Midler, Parker, and Najimy back in these roles again, as if you have to consciously reconcile what your head knows of how time works and what your eyes are witnessing. This isn’t some Star Wars digital de-aging doing the heavy lifting, it’s pure energy — vibes, even. It’s three actresses who fell right back into an old rhythm made new again thanks to a script that refreshed the familiar gags without reinventing them. In that sense, Hocus Pocus 2 simply does not mess with a good thing, and that alone is more than enough to justify its existence.
Yet the sequel manages to do quite a bit more than just offer a direct line to our nostalgia — it also takes aim at the less beloved elements of the original and updates them thoughtfully. Screenwriter Jen D’Angelo has worked in the comedy space on shows like Solar Opposites and Young Rock, while director Anne Fletcher is best known for turning out beloved genre fare like Step Up and The Proposal. Together they don’t necessarily reinvent the wheel, but they do take a good long look at it from a modern perspective and help it roll along more smoothly.
Where the first Hocus Pocus was only concerned with the misdeeds of the Sanderson Sisters, their demise and the curse that ensured their return, the sequel kicks things off by looking even further into their past to their childhood. Aside from the eerily perfect casting of young Winifred and her sisters (seriously, shout out to Taylor Henderson for doing Bette proud), this rewind recontextualizes the Sanderson saga by showing the forces that pushed them toward witchcraft (the patriarchy, always the patriarchy). Orphaned at a young age, the mildly morbid but mostly harmless Sanderson siblings were taking care of themselves until a meddling preacher named Reverend Traske (Tony Hale) takes it upon himself to correct the ungodly youths by marrying Winifred off and rehoming Sarah and Mary. Instead of accepting their fate, the sisters escape together into a forbidden wood where they encounter the powerful Witch Mother (a scene-stealing Hannah Waddingham), who introduces them to the wicked arts — and hands Winifred her beloved magic tome called Book. What we know to be true of the Sanderson Sisters, that they eat children’s souls and such, is still true. They aren’t absolved of their evil, but the film at least acknowledges that their wickedness is rooted in an attempt to secure their own safety and independence. They weren’t always evil, witchcraft isn’t inherently bad, and a bunch of prejudiced louts aren’t the best judges of what’s wicked and what’s just weird in the first place.
Largely ditching the “virgin lights a black flame candle” aspect of the original’s curse, the sequel focuses on what it means to be sixteen, on the cusp of adulthood and maybe, just maybe, on the cusp of greater power still. It matters that Winifred was sixteen when she got lost in the woods, and it is no coincidence that Becca, our new heroine (played by Whitney Peak), is turning sixteen on Halloween as well. She has a birthday tradition with her childhood pals Izzy (Belissa Escobedo) and Cassie (Lilia Buckingham) to perform a little magic circle ceremony on her birthday, but with Cassie distracted by her meathead boyfriend these days, Becca and Izzy must continue the tradition by themselves. They are loyal patrons of the local magic shop, which happens to be located in the old Sanderson homestead and run by the eccentric Gilbert (Sam Richardson, delightful as always). He’s a Sanderson Sisters aficionado and even claims to have their original spellbook in his collection. Gilbert celebrates Becca’s birthday by gifting her a special candle to help her with her ceremony, and you see where this is going right? Becca and Izzy accidentally summon the Sanderson Sisters on Halloween night, as orchestrated by Gilbert who became obsessed with the witches after witnessing their escapades 29 years ago. Instead of sucking all the children dry, Winifred sets her sights on exacting revenge on Reverend Traske’s bloodline — namely Salem’s current mayor (also Tony Hale) and Becca’s friend Cassie. And if that fails, she’s even willing to perform the one forbidden spell in the Book, which offers her unlimited power, before her time runs out.
By the time you realize that Becca is coming into her own magic on All Hallow’s Eve, it’s clear that Hocus Pocus 2 is telling a story about sisterhood. It draws parallels between Winifred and Becca and their respective covens, and in doing so offers the Sanderson’s an exit that doesn’t end in defeat. These witches are still wicked, perhaps, but when Winifred is offered a choice between loyalty and victory she follows her heart. These small thematic tweaks, in addition to the stellar new cast and exultant return of the originals (including Doug Jones as the zombie Billy Butcherson), help Hocus Pocus 2 cast its own sort of charm. You don’t have to have seen or remember the original to appreciate the sequel, which may help make it a seasonal staple for a whole new generation. But I’d also wager that for those of us who do love Hocus Pocus, in all its glory and its flaws, it’s impossible not to be swayed by the clever way the sequel weaves together the best parts and gently corrects the worst. Hocus Pocus 2 is that rare sort of late-stage sequel that is more than opportunistic. It’s respectful of the past while having its own point of view to add to the pot.
Though yes, it does leave the door open a crack for additional sequels, if the end credit scene (and return of the Witch Mother’s blackbird) are any indication. This is still a Disney joint, after all. It may take them another thirty years, but IP never dies.
Hocus Pocus 2 is streaming now on Disney +
This chosen one would have to undergo a series of trials and prove their worthiness to defeat the elemental once and for all. Throughout the ages, brave warriors and sorcerers had attempted to face the elemental but all had failed, succumbing to its tremendous power and falling victim to the curse. The legend grew stronger with each passing generation, as tales of the elemental's terrifying acts spread far and wide. Despite the fear and trepidation, there were those who believed in the power of the chosen one. They trained tirelessly, honing their skills and preparing themselves for the ultimate battle against the elemental. They sought to bring an end to the curse that had plagued their ancestors for centuries. As time went on, the legend began to fade into obscurity. People became skeptical of its existence, dismissing it as a myth created to scare children. Yet, deep within the hearts of a select few, the belief in the legend remained steadfast. They knew that they had a higher purpose - to free their land from the clutches of the elemental's curse. And so, the quest for the chosen one continues. The Legend Curse of the Elemental lives on, a reminder of the power of belief and the courage to face one's fears. Until the day the chosen one emerges, the legend will continue to captivate the imaginations of those who dare to dream. In conclusion, the Legend Curse of the Elemental is a tale of mystery, power, and hope. It represents the eternal struggle between good and evil and the potential for redemption. Only time will tell if the chosen one will rise to fulfill the prophecy and break the curse once and for all..
Reviews for "The Elemental Curse: A Supernatural Force that Defies Explanation"
1. Jason - 2/5 stars - "Legend: Curse of the Elemental was a major disappointment for me. The plot was extremely cliché and predictable, with no surprise twists or originality. The characters felt one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it difficult for me to connect with them. Additionally, the pacing of the story felt off, with slow moments dragging on and action-packed scenes feeling rushed. Overall, I found this book to be unimpressive and forgettable."
2. Sarah - 3/5 stars - "While Legend: Curse of the Elemental had an intriguing concept, I found the execution to be lacking. The world-building was inconsistent and confusing, making it difficult to fully immerse myself in the story. The writing style also didn't capture my attention, with awkward dialogue and repetitive descriptions. I couldn't fully invest in the characters either, as their actions and motivations often felt forced. Although there were moments of potential, the overall reading experience left much to be desired."
3. Michael - 2/5 stars - "Legend: Curse of the Elemental seemed promising at first, but it quickly fell flat for me. The pacing of the story was all over the place, with slow sections that dragged and abrupt transitions that left me disoriented. The plot itself felt disjointed and underdeveloped, with loose ends that never seemed to be tied up. The characters were also forgettable and lacked depth, making it difficult to feel invested in their plights. Overall, I was left disappointed and unfulfilled by this novel."