^{Credit: Practical Magic 2 (Warner Bros.)}

At Cartoon Contender, we mainly discuss animation and awards, but also everything in between. Nick’s Flick-Reel is that in-between, reviewing live-action films and more!

For some, the original Practical Magic is a certified classic. For me, it’s an enjoyable movie with two exceptional elements. Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman might’ve played witches, but they created one of the most believable sibling bonds of the past three decades. Their chemistry compensated for an admittedly unfocused story and inconsistent tone, which mixed murder with margarita parties. Years later, there’s still magic between Bullock and Kidman in Practical Magic 2. This time, though, the film surrounding them is even messier. It’s also longer, more crowded, and misses much of the original’s simple charms. The leading ladies practically save it, but not quite.

Remember when Aidan Quinn’s Gary said, “Curses only have power when you believe them. And I don’t?” Famous last words! Turns out the Owens’ family curse hasn’t been lifted, with Bullock’s Sally burying another husband. Not a huge loss, as her romance with Gary wasn’t among the first film’s strong suits. Sally has been burned so many times that she not only denounces magic, but she erases her daughters’ memories of being witches. You’d still think they’d figure it out sooner, seeing how the whole town knows the Owens’ secret. Nevertheless, Kylie (Joey King) and Antonia (Maisie Williams) grow up mostly in the dark. When Kylie falls in love with Xolo Maridueña’s Gideon, the curse rears its ugly head. There may be a way to break the curse, with the answer awaiting in the United Kingdom.

On paper, this sounds like a solid setup for a sequel. Practical Magic 2 makes some questionable narrative choices, however. Kylie naturally flies across the pond to save Gideon, but Antonia gets left behind. This feels like a missed opportunity, as this franchise is about sisterhood. King and Williams play off each other well in the scenes they do share, making you wish they went on this journey together. Unfortunately, Kylie and Antonia spend most of the film separated, with the latter getting the short end of the stick. It doesn’t help that Kylie isn’t the most well-developed character. For all the time we spend with her, we learn little about Kylie aside from that she loves Gideon and is sad he’s in a coma. Antonia, meanwhile, doesn’t seem fazed to learn that magic exists, despite being a doctor.

Of course, part of what made the original appealing was its casual approach to the supernatural. While there was a stigma surrounding witches, people just kind of accepted that magic exists in this universe. It didn’t feel like a huge deal, as the Owens mainly used their magic for everyday tasks. Some issues were bigger than others, like getting rid of a body, but Practical Magic felt grounded compared to other suburban fantasies. Practical Magic 2 moves away from that relatability, delving deeper into lore and trying to have a larger scale. With most sequels, this would be a natural progression, but here, it misses the original’s point. By the time a surprise villain pops up, the magic goes from practical to clichéd.

Despite all of this, Bullock and Kidman are still wonderful together. So are Dianne Wiest and Stockard Channing as their aunts. There’s even room for another romance between Sally and Lee Pace as a hunky academic. I’d actually argue that Bullock has more of a spark with Pace than she did with Quinn. As far as legacy sequels go, though, Practical Magic 2 doesn’t do much to evolve the characters like The Devil Wears Prada 2 or even Beetlejuice Beetlejuice did. For those who adore the first movie, having Bullock and Kidman back might be enough. Those hoping for a sequel that equals the original may have their hearts broken, however.

Nick Spake is the Author of Bright & Shiny: A History of Animation at Award Shows Volumes 1, 2, and 3. Available Now!