I Must Politely Decline

If you're anything like me, you probably have an ambivalent relationship with movie sequels.

On one hand, when they’re good- they’re really good.

But on the other hand when they’re bad - well, they run the risk of destroying those precious childhood memories we hold so dear...

I am, of course, referring to the newest upcoming sequel, Practical Magic 2. 

Slated to drop in only a couple of weeks at the time of writing this, the latest trailer sees the return of the magical Owens Sisters, Sally and Gillian (played delightfully by Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman, reprising their original roles from 1998). Now set almost 30 years after the events of the first film, it seems the Owens women are reuniting for a celebration when tragedy befalls a now adult Kylie Owens (played this time around by the ever-fantastic Joey King). Seemingly the family curse has struck down her young lover and she’s on a personal mission to break the spell once and for all - only for a malevolent and unforeseen force to thwart her. It appears Sally and Gillian must team up again to save Kylie (if not their entire family) from this mysterious evil with the power of their sisterly bond.

There’s just a couple nit-picks I have with this trailer - one of which I’m sure you, fellow fans, have already picked out: 

Didn’t they already break the curse 30 years ago? 

***

So, before I go any further, I need to get something off my chest about this movie: it's not one of my favorites.

Now, don’t get me wrong, it is a must-watch-staple every Spooky Season, and I always have a great time following around Sandy B and Nikkie K (...I promise I don’t mean that in a creepy way). 

But while I do think it’s shot beautifully and well-acted, there are some nit-picks I have with the writing and the pacing. But ignoring those pet-peeves, I can totally see why this movie has maintained such a cult-following over the decades:

It really does feel "magical" in a way that other fantasy movies haven’t come close to tapping into. And it celebrates femininity in a way that just wasn’t often done back in the 90’s… 

Shoot, it’s barely done today! 

There’s an earnestness in Practical Magic that makes it so relatable to so many women...

Which is why I’m worried that the filmmakers are gonna f**k it up with this go-around….

Warnings Come in Threes:

Now, since I haven’t seen the movie yet, I can’t honestly pass judgement on its merits. For all I know it could actually be really good, and they’ve accounted for all of the doubts the trailer has given me; it might even surpass the original for all anyone knows.

But I just need to make my case for why the most recent trailer makes me incredibly hesitant to buy a ticket: 

The Magical Elephant in the Room: 

The trailer implies that Kylie and her sister, Antonia, have no idea that their family are witches; that they possess magic, that there was a curse on any man who dares to love an Owen’s woman.... even though, throughout the entire first movie, it is abundantly clear that the girls know everything.

They danced naked under the full-moon for crying out loud! 

To top this confusing-sundae with the most confusing-cherry is that apparently the curse against true love is still going strong. Even though it's breaking was the crux of the first film’s finale. 

As of now I can only speculate as to why they decided to retcon these important elements of the first story:

I’m firmly landing on the fact that original film, based on Alice Hoffman’s 1995 novel of the same name (yes, it was based on a book) chose to adapt that novel very loosely. Meanwhile this film, based on Alice Hoffman’s sequel novel, The Book of Magic (yes, this one is also based on a book) will most likely follow that plot more closely.

You may be wondering why that would necessitate such heavy retconning in the first place… well (and again, this is only a guess)- I think it’s because the first novel was meant to be a stand-alone story. I haven't read The Book of Magic yet, but do know it wasn’t published until 2024… almost 30 years after the first book.

Now, I’m not saying retcons are necessarily bad, when handled correctly. But I don't think such a major plot-element can be retconned well:

Breaking the curse is too important to the first movie to change on any level. The curse especially informs pretty much the entire story - everything from the character beats, to the messaging of “being true to your heart” and “stepping into your power.” Even logistically to a certain degree, as the death of the men in Sally and Gillian’s lives directly catapults them into the conflict. The curse being broken in the end serves as such a powerfully cathartic moment for both characters and audiences because of just how much it haunted the narrative.

Even if they write the continuation so that Sally realizes too late (most likely through Detective Gary’s death) that the family curse is still present, and (most likely) erases her daughter’s memories of the events of the entire movie, it still undercuts the emotional weight of Practical Magic’s entire 3rd act. It also undermines Sally’s personal journey from a heartbroken widow into a woman who embraces her own power - something I suspect wouldn't sit well with audiences. 

I’m not saying it’s impossible for them to work in some clever writing to make it all make sense. But, considering Hollywood’s recent reputation for “nostalgia-baiting” sequels, I’m not holding my breath for any miracles.

Put Away the Instagram Filter, please!

I know I might get some flack for this but I’m gonna say it anyway: 

If you’re gonna go the route of nostalgia-baiting, then commit to the bit - commit, damn you, and drag those old film-cameras out of the studio’s basement!

Because this movie doesn’t look nearly as pretty as its ‘98 predecessor.

Very much like the recently released Devil Wears Prada 2, the cinematography feels completely lacking. That’s not personal shade to Simon Duggan, the listed cinematographer of Practical Magic 2 - it’s more a blanket-complaint because it’s just been happening to virtually all of the new releases in the theaters. And is a reason why studios are struggling to actually get butts into those seats (but that’s an essay for a different day). 

Every shot looks incredibly artificial (even when staged well), there’s flat-lighting everywhere so there’s nothing interesting to actually look at. It just looks boring when compared to the first movie, which felt warm, playful, and even magical - especially when they hit those shadows just right. 

Nostalgia-this, Nostalgia-that

Look - I get it: life has been a bully of a roller-coaster the last few years. And, sometimes, it is soothing to return to something that was so familiar and fun, and felt so innocent compared to the absolute hellscape we all find ourselves living in. 

Nostalgia can be a good thing. 

It can also be a warning sign of a lack of thought and/or substance. 

And this trailer is playing their greatest-hits-of-nostalgia for Practical Magic.

The flying off the roof; Sally and Gillian’s scars; the possession-smoke; “You put the lime in the coconut and drink it all up!” They even do a call-back to the time when Aunts Francis and Bridget (yes, that is what “Jet” is short for) magically powered their margarita-blender… the only, single power I have longed for since my 21st birthday.

Warner Bros. really wants you to know that this is in fact Practical Magic-

See! They did the thing you loved so much from 3 decades ago! Don’t you just want to buy a ticket, now?

Faceless Warner Bros. Executive, probably

But that’s the problem with nostalgia-baiting, isn't it? The reason so many people detest it:

Unless a sequel which meaningfully adds to the first story - one that so many people already cherish - then it serves no real purpose than to line the rich-producer's pockets.

And everyone knows it.

Everyone has their own criteria for what constitutes a good-sequel, or even a necessary sequel. If you’re a nerd like me and are really passionate about story-craft, it only makes sense. And if you don't really care about the craft and just prefer to be entertained, that's okay, too (because technically there's no reason a any movie needs to exist). Despite these differences, however, everyone can agree on one when it comes to sequels: 

A good sequel must never be a straight copy-and-paste edition… with a higher price tag taped on. 

It’s insulting to general audiences, and it’s especially insulting to the fans - the ones without whom you could’ve never made this project in the first place.

Conclusion:

If you’ve made it this far, first of all: 

thank you for hearing out my slightly-unhinged rant about my personal fears for Practical Magic 2… I promise, it is not my intention to make you feel bad, I promise! 

Second of all:

I know it might seem crazy to put so much thought into whether or not I personally go see a movie. I know it's really strange. That's only because I really do love the first movie. I may not have cared for the book it was based on, but Practical Magic the film served as a formative part of my childhood - back when me and all of my best girlies believed in magic; that we ourselves could one day be powerful. I love that it celebrates femininity, sisterhood, and promotes girl-power vibes without being trite or condescending.

It gives me all of the feels that manage to warm what’s left of my shriveled, broken-heart. 

But, it's also no secret that lately the promise of sequels to well-established IPs have left a bitterly cynical taste in audiences mouths.

I really hope this movie succeeds. 

I want to see this sequel succeed, and stand up as a worthy successor that continues to champion the power of sisterly love.

I hope I am wrong about my misgivings (I can’t tell you how badly I want to be proven wrong!)

Practical Magic 2 invites fans back to the enchanting world of the Owens women - now with greater stakes, international shenanigans, and the power of love and family to conquer all evil. Not to mention a built-in fan-base of mothers and daughters who are sure to turn up in droves for a (bewitching) spell.

But, as of now, for me at least, it’s an invitation I must politely decline… just until I know my childhood memories will survive the Owen's Curse.