Practical Magic 2

Synopsis:  The Owens sisters must confront the dark curse that threatens to unravel their family once and for all. 

Movie Review: 

"Practical Magic 2" is directed by Susanne Bier, and it's the sequel to the beloved 1998 cult classic that many adore. After 28 years, they've brought it back with a fresh story and a talented cast. While it’s well-made and likely to please fans of the original, for those who aren’t, it feels like a long, drawn-out slog that attempts humor but ends up being cheesy and disjointed after the second act. Sandra Bullock reprises her role as Sally Owens, now an older mother and librarian who has given up her witchcraft. She delivers a compelling performance as a strong woman determined to protect her two daughters from a family curse that has plagued them for centuries, making her the standout of the film. Nicole Kidman returns as Gillian Owens, Sally’s sister, and she brings a fun, silly vibe that makes her one of the funniest characters in the movie. Even after nearly 28 years, the chemistry between Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman is still electric; they are charming and hilarious whenever they share the screen. Dianne Wiest (Jet) and Stockard Channing (Franny) also reprise their iconic roles, but they don’t have much to do other than deliver a few funny lines for nostalgia's sake. The main storyline revolves around Kylie, played by Joey King, who has the most significant arc as she tries to save her boyfriend from dying. She gives a heartbreaking, emotional performance that makes you care about her, although the film loses momentum when her character heads to London. I’m a huge fan of Maisie Williams, who plays Antonia, Kylie’s sister. She does a decent job as someone training to be a doctor, but I was let down by how her character was handled; she mostly just looks sad and does doctor stuff. Xolo Maridueña plays Gideon, Kylie’s boyfriend, and he gives a solid performance. He and Joey King share a sweet romantic chemistry, but he doesn’t have much to do either.Lee Pace portrays Ian Wright, who delivers a solid performance as Sally's new love interest, but his character lacks depth and seems out of place. My main problem with this film was its drawn-out length; it felt so slow that I nearly dozed off. This movie didn't resonate with me, but if you enjoyed the first one, you might find this sequel appealing. For me, it was a waste of time, so I'm rating 'Practical Magic 2' a 2.5 out of 5 stars.

Director: Susanne Bier 

Cast: Sandra Bullock, Nicole Kidman, Joey King, Lee Pace, Maine Williams, Solo Mariduena, Solly McLeod , Ema Cavolli With Stockard Channing and Dianne West 

Runtime: 130 Minutes