Cast: Sandra Bullock, Nicole Kidman, Dianne Wiest, Stockard Channing, Lee Pace, Joey King, Maisie Williams Review by Carol Allen
This very female-centric tale returns to the family of witches from the original film – sisters Sally and Gillian Owens (Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman) and their supportive and witchily eccentric aunts, Jet (Dianne Wiest) and Franny (Stockard Channing). Despite the passing of the decades, the sisters definitely don’t look either side of sixty, which they are. Must be the power of witchcraft and make up. Time has definitely passed though, as Sally’s two daughters, Kyllie (Joey King) and Antonia (Maisie Williams) are now grown up. And the aunties have aged a bit too.
Fans of the original will remember that the family curse of this coven is that any man any of them falls in love with will die. So widowed Sally has brought up her girls alone and kept the knowledge of their witchy inheritance from them. But when Kylie falls in love and her boyfriend Gideon (Xolo Maridueña) is in intensive care in hospital after being run over, the cat is out of the bag. An idiom only that. These witches don’t appear to have a cat.
So Sally, guided by “The Young Witch’s Guide to Magic” – my title, not theirs – which one of the aunties has recently unearthed, sets off to the family’s ancestral home in England, where the witchery all started, in the hope of being able to break the curse and save her man. Mum and Auntie Gillian follow her in hot pursuit, leaving Antonia with the less interesting role of keeping an eye on the patient. All of which is good news for the British film industry, as the film was shot in the Uk
Once they’re in England the film from then on is far more Bullock’s with Kidman in support, which a lot of the time is literal, involving her lugging the two enormous suitcases on wheels the sisters appear to need when travelling. Well, a witch has got to look her best at all times, I suppose. They enlist the help of Ian Wright (Lee Pace), an academic and magic historian, who swiftly becomes Bullock’s love interest. He’s dead sexy. But does he know about the curse? And meanwhile Sally has enlisted the help of a friendly young country boy (Solly McLeod), who is helping her with her family history. But can he be trusted?
It’s all very glamourous, a bit silly though sometimes spooky and eventually the famous margaritas put in an appearance along with what I can only describe as a Mary Poppins moment. Great fun though and I reckon the fans will love it.
| Practical Magic 2 4K UHD™ STEELBOOK, 4K UHD™ and Blu-ray™ contain the following special features:
The Practical Magic Returns The cast of Practical Magic 2 reunites and expands the Owens legacy, reflecting on returning, new generations, and the magic that endures. Practically Magical Delve into the magical world and how the entire production was inspired by centuries of history, folklore, and the traditions of witchcraft. The Curse of an Owens Woman Go behind the practical magic and learn about the props, practical effects, VFX, and craftsmanship that bring the Owens world to life. Practical Magic 2: Home Again Return to the iconic Owens House and see how every room, garden, and detail was recreated for a new generation.
Practical Magic: 2 Film Collection will also be available on Blu-ray™ and DVD at select retailers.
BASICS Premium Digital: 12th October 4K UHD™ STEELBOOK, 4K UHD™, Blu-ray™ and DVD Street Date: 30th November
4K Languages: English (Dolby Atmos TrueHD), German (Dolby Atmos TrueHD), Italian (Dolby Atmos True HD), Canadian French (5.1DD), Latin Spanish (5.1DD), English 5.1 Audio Descriptive Service 4K Subtitles: English SDH, German SDH, Italian SDH, Danish, Finnish, Latin Spanish, Norwegian, Parisian French, Swedish BD Languages: English (Dolby Atmos-TrueHD), German (Dolby Atmos-TrueHD), Italian (5.1DD), English 5.1 Audio Descriptive Service BD Subtitles: English SDH, German SDH, Italian SDH, Danish, Finnish, Norwegian, Swedish DVD Languages: English (5.1DD), Castilian Spanish (5.1DD), English 5.1 Audio Descriptive DVD Subtitles: English SDH, Castilian Spanish, Danish, Finnish, Norwegian, Swedish
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