The pagaj world is a term that refers to the world of paddle sports, including activities such as canoeing and kayaking. Paddle sports are popular recreational activities and also have a competitive aspect, with various events and competitions held worldwide. Canoeing and kayaking have a long history and are believed to have originated from Indigenous cultures. These water-based activities involve using a paddle to propel oneself through the water, either in a canoe or kayak. Canoes are open-top boats, typically made from wood or lightweight materials such as aluminum or fiberglass. Kayaks, on the other hand, are closed-top boats that are usually made from plastic or lightweight composite materials.
Kayaks, on the other hand, are closed-top boats that are usually made from plastic or lightweight composite materials. In recent years, paddle sports have gained increased popularity and have become accessible to people of all ages and abilities. There are various forms of paddle sports, including recreational paddling, white water kayaking, sea kayaking, and even stand-up paddleboarding.
‘Hocus Pocus 2’ Team on “Wish Fulfillment” Behind “Exciting” Reveal, Meta Callback to First Film
Stars Bette Midler and Whitney Peak, director Anne Fletcher, writer Jen D'Angelo and producers talk about how they sought to give the fans what they want and more in the long-awaited sequel now streaming on Disney+.
Hilary Lewis
Deputy Editor, East Coast, THR.com
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[The following story contains spoilers from Hocus Pocus 2.]
When the team behind Hocus Pocus 2 decided to embark upon a sequel to the beloved Halloween film, they faced the challenge of trying to figure out how to capture what people loved about the original movie while not repeating the same story from 1993.
“It’s a constant pull,” director Anne Fletcher told The Hollywood Reporter at the Hocus Pocus 2 premiere in New York last month. “You’re thinking as you’re developing the script and putting it up on its feet and creating the sets, the costumes, the cast. You’re constantly thinking what would fans love to see, what would feel too repetitious, what would be just the right amount of spice that the fans would love, so it was constantly on my mind. And I think we balanced things out in the perfect space, just all of the things we loved about the witches and a little bit more.”
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Writer Jen D’Angelo, who scripted the screenplay for the sequel, used her Hocus Pocus fandom and own experience with fraught high-school friendships and love of spooky stuff to inform her take.
“I definitely just thought of, ‘What do I love about the original?’ It’s the Sanderson sisters, it’s the spooky fun, it’s the unexpected emotion,” D’Angelo told THR. “I cry still every time when Thackery [Binx] turns back into a boy at the end [of the first film], so that was what I was really going for: that campy fun, that fun spookiness and also the unexpected surprising part in the center of the story.”
For executive producer Adam Shankman, keeping the Sanderson sisters front and center was key.
“I always kept in my mind that the three witches are the heart and soul of it, and they’re the Three Stooges,” he told THR at the Hocus Pocus 2 premiere. “And if we just make sure that that’s kept in balance, there’s a whole world that we can make around them as long as they come to life exactly where they were when they stopped. And they have an entirely new set of challenges and an entirely new digital world that they get to face.”
In addition to coming back from the dead once again, via the black flame candle, Winnie (Bette Midler), Mary (Kathy Najimy) and Sarah (Sarah Jessica Parker) Sanderson are given their own backstory as viewers get to see a younger version of the trio and how they developed their powers.
Midler told THR of the sequel’s approach and how it was determined what to focus on, “I think they were very careful in crafting what it was that people liked. I know that what they loved was that the three of us were always together and that our bond was very deep. They wanted us to have a backstory because people used to say, often, ‘What’s the story? Why did this happen to them? And who were they before?’ and I think they did a very good job.”
In addition to taking viewers back to the 17th century, Fletcher and D’Angelo brought the story forward having the Sanderson sisters confront another trio of girls who have a similar bond.
For D’Angelo the theme of sisterhood came from her own teenage experiences.
“It really goes back to what is the version of the movie that I would want to see when I was younger. And I really felt like it was really important to do a story about teen girl friendships,” D’Angelo said. “The big issue Cassie (Lilia Buckingham) and Becca (Whitney Peak) are having is something I went through with my friends in high school, and I just remember you would have these arguments with your friends because you didn’t know how to communicate. I just felt like that was a really important story to share with people to show a real strong friendship going through struggle and coming out even stronger on the other side.”
Peak’s Becca doesn’t just emerge from her battle with the witches stronger, she’s even revealed to be a witch herself, as her palms illuminate with purple light as she discovers her power after turning 16.
Peak called that moment “very exciting” but also fitting with how her character has grown up.
“I think for her in her life, she’s had to take control of a lot of things and be very independent and mature at a very young age,” Peak told THR. “And so for that to kind of happen to her just really puts her to the test a little bit and strengthens her bonds with her friends and really reassures her of who she is as a person and kind of why everything in her life has been the way it is. So it’s that kind of a-ha moment. Everything happens for a reason. Suddenly things in my life make sense.”
D’Angelo said Becca learning of her magical abilities was “pure wish fulfillment.”
“I was really into spooky stuff when I was growing up,” the writer told THR. “In high school, my friends and I would play with a Ouija board all the time. We loved Halloween stuff. So she’s kind of based on me a little bit, wanting to be involved in witchcraft and finding that all really interesting, and then it’s pure wish fulfillment.”
Fletcher connects the present day storyline to the prequel elements of the film saying that Becca’s discovery “was in the script and I just pushed it a little further.”
“We just had fun with it because we had a prequel where we got a lot of background story of how and why any of this happened to the witches, and I wanted to thread it into modern day,” Fletcher said. “It sort of lent itself elegantly, in the development of the script, to sort of reflect our three teenagers through the Sanderson sisters.”
Shankman praised Fletcher’s depiction of Becca’s storyline and suggested it could hint at future projects in the Hocus Pocus universe.
“Anne I think handled that really, really beautifully,” Shankman said of Becca’s discovery. “We went back and forth on how that was going to work, if it was going to work, forever, and Anne was just like, ‘This is what we’re going to do.’ And I think it’s great. And it creates a lot of excitement about potential spinoffs.”
The first movie does exist in the world of the sequel, Fletcher confirms, when asked about Hocus Pocus 2‘s meta moment where Winnie flies by a house and sees people watching the first film on TV, specifically the scene where the witches interrupt the Halloween evening of a bickering couple played by the late Garry and Penny Marshall.
“In the movie there’s a Sanderson sister contest, there is obviously an original movie. I wanted to be cheeky and fun,” Fletcher said. “Watching it with the audience, because we’ve had a lot of test audiences, they loved it because it’s a little kiss, a nod to the first movie. We’re paying homage to it as well as doing something completely new. The fact that it was Garry and Penny means so much more in that moment as well.”
For producer Lynn Harris, the significance of the sequel goes beyond the two pairs of sisters in the sequel to the larger concept of strength in numbers.
“At the end it’s very much about, we’re stronger together than we are individually, and I think that’s — it’s Hocus Pocus so I don’t want to get too deep — but that’s a good message for everybody, whether it’s sisters in blood or sisters in theory, whether it’s a chosen family or real family, we have to stick together,” Harris said.
Whenever the leaves begin to turn red and orange, a certain subset of the population immediately dons colourful capes, dusts off their cauldrons and spell books, and starts preparing to rewatch "Hocus Pocus."
Each of these activities offers a unique experience and allows individuals to connect with nature, explore new waters, and challenge themselves physically. Many people are drawn to paddle sports for their health benefits, as they provide a full-body workout that engages the muscles in the arms, core, and legs. These activities also offer mental health benefits, as they allow individuals to unplug from the digital world and connect with the natural environment. Paddle sports can be a way to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life and find solace in the serene beauty of the water. The pagaj world is a diverse and vibrant community, with enthusiasts from all walks of life coming together to share their passion for paddle sports. In addition to recreational paddling, there are also professional athletes who compete in various events and disciplines. These athletes push the boundaries of what is possible in paddle sports, showcasing their skills and pushing the sport to new heights. As technology advances, the pagaj world continues to evolve. There are now specialized equipment and gear designed specifically for paddle sports, making it easier and more enjoyable for individuals to participate. Additionally, there are various organizations and clubs dedicated to promoting paddling, hosting events, and advocating for the preservation of waterways. In conclusion, the pagaj world offers a plethora of opportunities for individuals to immerse themselves in the joys of paddle sports. Whether it's a leisurely paddle on a calm lake or intense white water kayaking, these activities provide a unique way to connect with nature, challenge oneself physically and mentally, and be part of a passionate and supportive community. So grab a paddle, hit the water, and explore the wonders of the pagaj world..
Reviews for "The Pagaj as a Mode of Transportation in Coastal Communities"
1. John - 2 stars - I found "The Pagaj World" to be extremely confusing and hard to follow. The plot was all over the place and the characters were poorly developed. It felt like the author was trying to be too clever and ended up sacrificing a coherent storyline. I struggled to stay engaged throughout the book and ultimately felt disappointed by the lack of clarity and cohesion.
2. Emily - 1 star - I couldn't stand "The Pagaj World". The writing style was pretentious and self-indulgent, making it incredibly difficult to connect with the story or the characters. The author seemed more interested in showcasing their vocabulary and literary prowess than in telling an engaging and relatable tale. I felt like I was slogging through a series of convoluted metaphors and excessive description rather than enjoying a good read.
3. Mike - 2 stars - I was hoping for an exciting adventure in "The Pagaj World", but it fell short of my expectations. The pacing was slow, and the action scenes were underwhelming. I found myself skimming through sections that seemed to drag on unnecessarily. The world-building was also lacking; I didn't feel fully immersed in the fantastical elements. Overall, I found the book to be lackluster and uninspiring.
4. Sarah - 2 stars - "The Pagaj World" left me feeling confused and unsatisfied. The story had potential, but it was poorly executed. The writing style was convoluted and hard to follow, making it difficult to fully grasp the plot. The characters lacked depth, and their motivations were unclear. It felt like the author was trying to be profound, but it only resulted in a frustrating and disjointed reading experience.