Bette Midler is a renowned American actress, singer, and comedian. Throughout her career, she has portrayed a variety of characters, but one role that truly stands out is her portrayal of a witch. Midler's transformation into a witch on the big screen captivated audiences and showcased her versatility as an actress. One of the most iconic portrayals of Midler as a witch is in the 1993 film "Hocus Pocus." In the movie, she plays the character Winifred Sanderson, a 17th-century witch resurrected in modern-day Salem. Midler's performance as Winifred is both comedic and captivating.
If the First Wives Club alum is going to stick to the TV screen as her career of choice, her fellow Hocus Pocus co-stars have a few ideas of what the third movie could entail.
It changes tone as casually as the actors don their masquerade costumes, and has no scruples about breaking its own mood altogether as when the three witches suddenly perform I Put a Spell on You at a Halloween party. A cheeky 17th-century prologue sequence in Salem, Massachusetts establishes that whatever Arthur Miller might claim witches with evil power were a real thing and the menfolk of the time were entirely justified in hating and fearing them.
Midler's performance as Winifred is both comedic and captivating. She effortlessly brings the character to life, delivering memorable lines and displaying impeccable comedic timing. Midler's portrayal of Winifred Sanderson is characterized by her over-the-top mannerisms and theatricality.
‘Hocus Pocus 2’ Review: Bette Midler and Sisters Conjure More of the Same in Decades-Later Disney+ Sequel
Aging may have been the witches’ worst enemy in the 1993 cult classic, but here, it doesn't hinder the film's three stars from tapping their inner divas in this straight-to-streaming reunion.
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Matt KennedyWhat strange sorcery is this that “Hocus Pocus” — a so-so comedy turned campy cult favorite starring Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy as absolutely fabulous Salem witch sisters — should be getting a sequel nearly three decades after its 1993 release? At the time, Variety speculated that, were it not for the film’s three stars, “‘Hocus Pocus’ wouldn’t seem out of place on the Disney Channel, and perhaps belongs there.” (Its director, Kenny Ortega, would go on to helm the “High School Musical” franchise for the cabler.) In a sense, that’s what’s happened with this follow-up, aimed to breathe some life into the graveyard that is Disney+.
The sequel’s existence owes less to popular demand (the original earned a respectable $39.3 million stateside and went on to become a Halloween season staple) than to the realization that the film had tapped into preteens’ fascination with witchcraft before Harry Potter came along. It can be no coincidence that the new feature lifts so much of its look and feel from that franchise — with eye of newt, a dead man’s head and some aspects of “The Craft” tossed in for good measure. In “Hocus Pocus 2,” the three teens called upon to save Salem from the Sanderson sisters’ return are themselves budding witches, which means the movie isn’t about scaring kids away from magic so much as indulging their post-Potter junior wizarding fantasies.
Young’uns needn’t have seen the earlier movie to make sense of things, although it’s just a click away on Disney+ should any of them be curious enough to watch a classic that predates many of their parents. The original did a pretty good job of wrapping up its story (the sisters were blasted into oblivion when the sun rose on All Saints’ Day), but also suggested that the sisters could be brought back easily enough, should a virgin light a black-flame candle on Halloween — and here, Becca (Whitney Peak) is fooled into doing exactly that by Gilbert (Sam Richardson), the owner of the magic shop now operating in the Sandersons’ old home, where much of the earlier film took place.
Before this simple spell happens, however, director Anne Fletcher (“The Proposal”) takes us back to early Salem to offer an origin story for the sisters (playing teenage Winifred in the prologue, Taylor Henderson has fun channeling the Divine Miss M’s more flamboyant mannerisms). The Sandersons were “misunderstood” and “ahead of their time,” the movie explains, demonstrating a kind of have-it-both-ways thinking that’s perfectly consistent with the politics of the moment. On one hand, it implies that charges of witchcraft are one tool the patriarchy has for keeping independent women in check; on the other, it allows the women to be bona fide witches (it’s as if they’re being falsely accused of exactly what they are).
In the woods, they meet the Witch Mother (“Ted Lasso” star Hannah Waddingham), who senses their potential and bequeaths the book that enables all their mischief — and which contains a spell that can make them all-powerful at great personal cost. The book has gotten a CG upgrade here, which is too bad, since the animatronic eye embedded in the cover was such a great old-school trick. This hardcover catalog of spells always seemed to have a mind of its own and in Fletcher’s hands, feels less like a prop than a proper character.
Becca and best friend Izzy (Belissa Escobedo) discover that this Halloween, Cassie (Lilia Buckingham) — the classmate with whom they’d been tight throughout childhood — is throwing a house party without inviting them. (Her dad, played by a daffy Tony Hale, is also in the dark.) The movie misses the opportunity to serve up a useful portrayal of the petty divisions that drive old friends apart, while orienting itself to lecture audiences on the importance of loyalty and the perils of egotism. It’s doubtful that such moral lessons are the reason anyone’s watching “Hocus Pocus 2,” which again blends Midler’s hammy diva persona with details that feel almost too dark for a kids’ movie (but have since been normalized by the likes of Neil Gaiman and Tim Burton).
That mix must be what endeared the original to so many back in the day. Frankly, its success has always been tricky to explain — beyond the basic appeal of watching Midler, Parker and Najimy vamp their way through reams of mock-Victorian dialogue, full of words like “thee“ and “doest.” They’re meant to be menacing, but are cartoonishly broad instead: Winifred (Midler) with her puckered lips and beaver-like overbite, Mary (Najimy) wide-eyed and talking out of the side of her mouth, and Sarah (Parker) cursed to be a dumb blonde cliché. Thinking fast, Becca and Izzy talk the women into raiding the beauty products aisle of the local Walgreens, where they mistake lotions for potions and drink the goop, believing it to contain the children’s souls they crave.
It’s hard to be too intimidated by three women who keep erupting into musical numbers, including a cover of Elton John’s “The Bitch Is Back” (with “witch” swapped in for the b-word) that leaves so many questions — like, “Have they been rehearsing this in hell?” and “How long till this spawns a stage musical?” One senses all involved trying to re-create the earlier film’s sense of camp. “Hocus Pocus 2” is actually the better made film, even if it amounts to little more than a stealth remake, with strategic decisions about the present-day and old-Salem witch trios being engineered to allow for more sequels, whether or not its three stars return.
The Sandersons are of course led by Midler as leader Winifred, her teeth horribly transformed into a chipmunk-dental horror within a kissy lipstick pout. Kathy Najimy plays her sister Mary, who is supposedly able to smell out children but the film doesn’t make much of this wicked childcatcher-like superpower. And finally there is Sarah Jessica Parker as the youngest witch, very atypically playing broad comedy, for which Parker was not really suited, but whose 90s celebrity through starring in Sex and the City has surely played its part in boosting this film. Vinessa Shaw is Max’s cool love interest Alison and legendary director Garry Marshall and his equally legendary sister Penny Marshall have cameos as a grouchy couple who have dressed up for Halloween.
She fully embraces the witch's eccentric and wicked nature, creating a larger-than-life character that instantly captivates the audience. Midler's performance perfectly balances the comedic and villainous aspects of the character, resulting in a truly memorable witch. In addition to "Hocus Pocus," Midler has also portrayed other witches throughout her career. In the 1996 film "The First Wives Club," she plays a character named Brenda Cushman who, while not a literal witch, embodies the spirit of a vengeful and powerful woman seeking justice. Once again, Midler's performance is captivating and showcases her ability to bring depth and humor to a traditional witch-like character. Moreover, Midler has also embraced her "witchy" side through her music. She is known for her rendition of the song "I Put a Spell on You" from "Hocus Pocus." Midler's powerful vocals and theatrical delivery inject an enchanting quality into the song, solidifying its status as a staple of Halloween playlists. Bette Midler's portrayal of witches has left an indelible mark on popular culture. She has managed to bring these magical characters to life in a way that is both entertaining and enchanting. Her performances as witches have showcased her talent for comedy, singing, and acting, solidifying her status as a versatile and beloved entertainer. Whether on the big screen or the stage, Midler as a witch is a captivating and unforgettable experience..
Reviews for "The Witchy Energy Bette Midler Brings to her Live Performances"
1. John - 2/5 rating: I really didn't enjoy Bette Midler as a witch in this movie. I found her character to be over-the-top and not believable at all. It felt like she was trying too hard to be funny and it just didn't work for me. The other witches in the film were much more convincing and I wish the focus had been more on them instead.
2. Sarah - 3/5 rating: While I appreciate Bette Midler's talent as an actress, I didn't particularly enjoy her performance as a witch in this movie. I found her portrayal to be too comical and stereotypical. It felt like she was playing a caricature of a witch rather than a nuanced character. I would have liked to see a more subtle and nuanced approach to the role.
3. Mark - 2/5 rating: Bette Midler's portrayal of a witch in this film was way too campy for my taste. Her exaggerated mannerisms and over-the-top delivery became tiresome very quickly. I think the role could have been played with more depth and subtlety, but Midler's performance lacked the finesse that I was hoping for. Overall, I was disappointed with her portrayal and it negatively impacted my enjoyment of the movie.
4. Emily - 2/5 rating: I found Bette Midler's portrayal of a witch in this film to be quite cheesy and exaggerated. Her comedic antics felt forced and it took away from the overall tone of the movie. I think the character could have been played with more nuance and subtlety, but Midler's performance was too over-the-top for my liking. I was hoping for a more refined interpretation of a witch, but unfortunately, this wasn't it.
5. Michael - 3/5 rating: Bette Midler's performance as a witch in this film was a bit too cartoonish for my taste. While I appreciate her energy and enthusiasm, I felt that her portrayal lacked depth and complexity. It felt like she was more focused on being funny than on bringing a compelling character to life. I think her performance would have benefitted from a more restrained approach, but unfortunately, that wasn't the case.