Nearly 30 years in the making, “Practical Magic 2” has landed! Join J.P. as he dives headfirst into Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman’s high-stakes return to the Owens family coven.
Practical Magic 2 (Warner Bros. Pictures)
- Directed by Susanne Bier
- Screenplay by Akiva Goldsman, Georgia Pritchett, Kelly Marcel
- Based on The Book of Magic by Alice Hoffman
- Produced by Denise Di Novi, Sandra Bullock, Nicole Kidman
- Starring Sandra Bullock, Nicole Kidman, Joey King, Lee Pace, Maisie Williams, Xolo Maridueña, Dianne Wiest, Stockard Channing
Studio Synopsis:
Starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman, PRACTICAL MAGIC 2 returns to 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.
J.P.’s Take:
I recall when “Practical Magic” hit theaters in 1998, and how captivating the experience was for those who viewed it in large format. At the time, I wasn’t too interested in seeing it right off the bat, until a couple of years after its release. What I found was a trippy mix of supernatural elements, infused with symbolism buried beneath the surface that many viewers would miss if they didn’t catch it the first time. The film, which I didn’t know at the time, was adapted from Alice Hoffman’s novel of the same name and carried messages close to Hoffman’s heart. Viewers were intrigued by its quirky characters and zany storytelling, so it eventually gained cult status, which many 90s / 2000s movies of this kind did, like “The Craft” and “Ginger Snaps.”
Practical Magic 2” is finally here after 28 years, and interestingly, certain elements have somehow survived the transition into this next chapter — something many sequels rarely do. However, it wouldn’t be fair to say that it fully captures the same vibe or essence as the original. The vibes here definitely cater to a young adult crowd, featuring a playful mix of cheeky, slightly risqué humor and a more polished, fairy-tale-like aesthetic that makes everything feel vibrant and eye-catching. It plays on the whimsical charm of the setting and characters and drawing on lighthearted jokes with a slight edge for quick chuckles. It’s like the filmmakers are tapping into that sweet spot where fun meets a hint of rebellion.
In the beginning, we’re reminded of the curse of the Owens sisters, while the story extends further into their ancestry, with a deeper, darker truth to follow. These moments are stylized out of nostalgia and curiosity, thrusting viewers back to the original while sparking memories through a blend of familiarity and novelty, reminding us of what made us fall in love with the story in the first place. Yet that’s where the similarities end, and the rubber meets the road.
Truthfully, the only thing really holding this outing together is the chemistry of its star actresses, mainly Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman, as Owens sisters Sally and Gillian. As a duo, they gave Practical Magic (1998) its oddball sisterhood dynamic, along with a supporting cast of Dianne Wiest and Stockard Channing as Sally and Gillian’s aunts Jet and Frances, respectively. As for the story, it calls upon the formula of “the curse of the mothers is visiting upon the daughters,” in that neither of them is lucky in love. Yes, Sally’s daughters, Antonia (Maisie Williams) and Kylie (Joey King), must bear the curse of losing the love of their lives, since their lineage stems from witches. In particular, Kylie and her fiancé are the ones the story focuses on.
One of the film’s notable shortcomings lies in the dynamic between Kylie and her fiancé Gideon (Xolo Maridueña), which comes across as weak and unconvincing. Their interactions often felt forced, detracting from the potential for a more genuine emotional connection. The fiancé’s overly sweet and cliched demeanor made it a bit difficult for me to invest in his character and care about his fate. Yet, this gave the Sally and Gillian motivation to do what they do best, and that is to utilize their witching powers to come to their rescue when the curse took hold. The plot where Kylie was being harvested for her powers by a wanna-be-warlock named Tom Lockland (Solly McLeod) was also a flash in the pan. His villainy was short-lived and anticlimactic for such a brazen standoff.
About the only thing intact and truly going for this sequel is its message of sisterhood and female solidarity, while confronting the past and grappling with the stigma of their lineage. The narrative shifts a bit here as well, as it redefines the definition of love. Many of the supernatural elements are there to aid them in this quest, and the comedy is still as whimsical and weird as in the first.
Speaking of the first outing, I felt the mood and atmosphere were much darker and brooding in tone than this chapter — even steamier and more risqué. For the most part, this sequel was entertaining enough for me to invest in the story, yet I didn’t feel it carried the same charm or mystery or edge, or eerie vibe as its forebear.
All in all, “Practical Magic 2” is watchable for the simple fact that Bullock and Kidman hold it down.
Official Site: Practical Magic 2
