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In theaters on September 11th is ‘Practical Magic 2,’ the sequel to the 1998 romantic drama that introduced us to the Owens family, a group of witches dealing with a curse on their clan that means any man they fall in love with is doomed to perish.
The cast for the follow-up includes the returning likes of Nicole Kidman (‘Babygirl’), Sandra Bullock (‘The Lost City’), Stockard Channing (‘The West Wing’) and Dianne Wiest (‘Let Them All Talk’), plus new franchise faces Joey King (‘Bullet Train’), Maisie Williams (‘Game of Thrones’) and Lee Pace (‘Foundation’).
Related Article: Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman Returning for ‘Practical Magic 2’
Initial Thoughts
We’ve had more than one legacy sequel of late, all of which aiming to trigger warm nostalgic feelings by bringing back core cast and catching up with characters years later. The trick is to find some compelling reason to revisit the storyline and the concept of the Owens’ sisters romantic curse would seem to qualify. Trouble is, this is a follow-up that often runs low on its own magic power.
Script and Direction
The script for the sequel has clearly been through the usual studio wringer: Akiva Goldsman (‘A Beautiful Mind’), Georgia Pritchett (‘Succession’) and Kelly Marcel (‘Saving Mr. Banks’) are all credited on the screenplay here and the result is often less than satisfying. It’s perfectly harmless and fun at times, but is pretty throwaway.
Director Susanne Bier, meanwhile, bathes everything (except for some scenes in rainy, gray London) in cozy light and brings out what she can from a cast who sometimes feel like they’re going through the motions.
Cast and Performances
Kidman and Bullock are always good value, and seem to enjoy being back in these roles, even if the script doesn’t always serve them beyond platitudes and sisterly squabbles.
King gets the best new storyline, while poor old Maisie Williams is sidelined, either delivering exposition or worrying at a hospital bedside. Channing and Wiest, meanwhile, bring canny charm as they return as the elder Owens, while Lee Pace is all scruffy, rumpled professor obsessed with witchcraft.
Final Thoughts
‘Practical Magic’ was always more of a cult classic than a truly beloved mainstream hit, yet this follow-up seems doomed to be lost to the mists of time. It’s mostly inoffensive and has some appeal, but it’s ephemeral.
‘Practical Magic 2’ receives 67 out of 100.
What is the plot of ‘Practical Magic 2’?
‘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.
Who is in the cast of ‘Practical Magic 2’?
- Sandra Bullock as Sally Owens
- Nicole Kidman as Gillian Owens
- Stockard Channing as Frances Owens
- Dianne Wiest as Bridget “Jet” Owens
- Joey King as Kylie Owens
- Maisie Williams as Antonia Owens
- Lee Pace as Ian Wright
- Xolo Maridueña as Gideon
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