Practical Magic 2 Review

Practical Magic 2, a sequel to the 1998 film Practical Magic, is now playing in theaters on September 11. The film, which stars Sandra Bullock, Meryl Streep, and several other notable actresses, is a sequel to the beloved 1998 movie about a family of witches in Massachusetts. The story picks up twenty-eight years after the events of the first film, with the Owens sisters still living together in their ancestral home.

Sally Owens (Bullock), the town librarian and single mother, keeps her daughters Kylie (Joey King) and Antonia (Maisie Williams) in the dark about their magical abilities due to a powerful curse. The curse prevents any man who confesses his love to a witch from living a long life. This secret is enforced by Gilly Owens (Kidman), Sally's sister, who has sworn to keep their magical abilities hidden. Their aunts, Jet (Dianne Wiest) and Franny (Channing), also agree to keep the secret.

In Practical Magic 2, the plot revolves around the arrival of a mysterious manuscript known as The Book of the Raven, which could potentially break the curse. This leads to a journey for Sally and Gillian to England, where they hope to find a way to save Kylie's endangered life. The film attempts to explore the history of the Owens family and delve deeper into their magical legacy. However, the screenplay fails to deliver on this promise, instead opting for a road trip comedy with the sisters and a new cast of characters.

Although the film does have some strong performances, particularly from Bullock and Kidman, the script ultimately limits their potential. The film also suffers from a lack of focus, splitting the main cast between England and Massachusetts, which results in a disjointed narrative. The film's director, Susanne Bier, does not fully capitalize on the atmospheric and haunting qualities of the original film, leading to a sequel that feels less magical than its predecessor.