“Hocus Pocus” is a fantasy film with the elements of comedy directed by Kenny Ortega and first released in 1993. According to SUNDAY; Your Movie Planner (2010), it is “occasionally bewitching Disney comedy about three Salem sorceresses…Entertaining in spells and surprisingly gruesome “. This Walt Disney Pictures movie is rather fun, exciting and entertaining; and it is still loved by numerous people. Those who watched it in childhood love refreshing these sweet memories and I am not an exception. The film is Halloween-themed and tells the story of three sisters-witches who were unintentionally resurrected by a teenager named Max on Halloween night and started their terror on the surrounding territories and their inhabitants. The boy actually does not like Halloween but appears in the situation making him to participate in it and has to go through a row of Halloween-connected adventures to save his loved ones from these terrible witches. This undaunted boy goes through a row of serious tests to defend his sister and defeat the witches.
The movie begins in Salem, Massachusetts more than 300 years before our time. The three witches are about to suck out the life of a little girl to become younger. However the girl’s brother finds them and tries to prevent it. Still he fails to do so and the girl is killed. The boy himself is turned to an immortal black cat Binx as a punishment from the witches. The people from the village come to save the girl and her brother but it is too late. They noose the witches for the committed crimes. However, the witches promise to come back in 300 years as the prophesy in their magic book tells. Then the audience sees the days of 1993. On Halloween eve pupils are discussing the history of sisters Sanders. The new boy at school Max, the main protagonist is skeptical, he protests against this story and the Halloween in itself, but later this evening he lights an ancient candle to prove his beliefs that everything is not true, but he unintentionally resurrects the Sanders witches. So there begins a fight between the witches and Max who tries to protect his little sister from them. Max has a great support of his new friend Allison and the immortal black cat Binx. After a row of exciting adventures and struggles the heroes conquer the witches and remain alive. The ending of the film is not clear-cut. The witches’ magic book remains so to say alive and is shown in the last film cadre thus offering an idea of the film’s continuation. Still about 20 years passed and there was no such one though there were numerous efforts to write the new script for the continuation.
The main characters of the movie are played by famous and talented actors. In particular, they are still famous all over the world Sara Jessica Parker (witch Sarah), Bette Midler (witch Winifred), Kathy Najimy (witch Mary), Omri Katz (Max), Thora Birch (Dani) and popular nowadays actress Vinessa Shaw ( Alisson). Acting is mainly good one, especially the character of Bette Midler Winifred with her constant fun chewing and unusually staring eyes. The other character which is well developed to my mind is Dani by Thora Birch. The girl is shown with a strong character, great sense of humor, self confidence; she is still sentimental and really nice; so this character is one of the best in the movie.
Speaking about the film’s cinematography it should be first of all stated that it is done by Hiro Narita. Hiro Narita is really a great operator and he is also known by such his works as “Valley of the Heart’s Delight”, “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids”, “The Rocketeer “and “White Fang 2: Myth of the White Wolf”. The cinematography of the film is quite good for 1993 and even now it is presentable enough especially if to compare it with the other movies form 1990s.
As to the editing it is done by Peter E. Berger. He is a very good specialist also known by his tremendous work for “Alvin and the Chipmunks”, “Garfield: The Movie”, “Star Trek Series” and his masterpiece “Fatal Attraction”. According to Maslet (1993), “of special note in “Hocus Pocus” is a computer-generated talking cat”. This personage is great and it is really one of the best and the most memorable characters in the movie; it is nice that such spec effect was possible in 1993.
If to analyze the sound, for 1993 it is a very good one. The music is by John Debney. The film is also featuring a song by famous composer James Horner, whose incredible work for Titanic still remains one of the best movie music masterpieces ever. Mainly the film’s music is great and makes its due contribution to the better realization of the storyline. Some of the main music themes used in the movie are “I Put a Spell on You” by Marc Shaiman, “Sarah’s Theme” by James Horner and “Come Little Children” performed by Sarah Jessica Parker.
The film is featuring traditional Disney style of a family watched movie with its particular level of humor, rather high moral standards and fairy-tale like magic and mysteriousness. According to Maslin (1993), “It includes very mild scares, occasional rude language and a few jokes about one young character’s virginity.” Directing is done by Kenny Ortega, one of the Disney favorite directors. There exist different opinions about Ortega’s work for the film but it is still good enough on my mind. Those who say directing was bad are mainly dissatisfied with the constant run in the film which never stops and thus leaves the audience tired and a little bit confused.
Speaking about the “Hocus Pocus” impact of society it should be stated that the film is definitely among the most loved family fantasy films ever. It is amazing that the film still stands out the test of time; when the movie is annually shown on TV starting from late October it has a big audience. People love it as the film brings special Halloween mood which is so magic and intriguing since childhood.
And as for the impact of society to the film it can be stated that first of all people’s great appreciation of this film encouraged numerous efforts to shot a sequel on this topic but these efforts are still in progress though this idea is worked for a long time.
Taking all the above mentioned into consideration, it should be stated that “Hocus Pocus” is a great work by Disney. It deals with important issues of loyalty and faithfulness, family values and team spirit while fighting with evil. I believe it will continue bringing special Halloween mood to its lovers even after many more years. On my mind it is an all-time family fantasy classic, which I would definitely recommend to fans of the genre.