KIDS FIRST! News

A curious youngster moves to Salem, where he struggles to fit in before awakening a trio of diabolical witches that were executed in the 17th century.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Tiana S. comments, “Lock up your children and grab some salt just in case! Just in time for Halloween, the wicked Sanderson sisters are back in Hocus Pocus 2, the live-action, comedy sequel to the 1993 film Hocus Pocus. The musical performances in this film are to die for.” Mikella G. adds, “The execution of this film is outstanding. Although it is a sequel, this movie truly lives up to the original. It continues the story with a modern twist, and still has that same nostalgic feeling. Years have passed, but watching this movie takes you right back, and the Sanderson Sisters weave their way back to the top.” See their full review below.

Hocus Pocus 2
By Tiana S., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12

Lock up your children and grab some salt just in case! Just in time for Halloween, the wicked Sanderson sisters are back in Hocus Pocus 2, the live-action, comedy sequel to the 1993 film Hocus Pocus. The musical performances in this film are to die for.

Hocus Pocus 2 follows the Sanderson sisters — Winifred “Winnie” (Bette Midler), Sarah (Sarah Jessica Parker) and Mary (Kathy Najimy), as they seek revenge on the town that cast them away … again. It’s been 29 years since someone lit the Black Flame Candle and resurrected the 17^th-century sisters, and they have a spell to settle. Three high-school students accidentally bring back the Sanderson Sisters to modern-day Salem and must figure out how to stop the child-hungry witches from wreaking havoc on Salem before dawn on All Hallow’s Eve.

This film is perfect to get you in the Halloween spirit. In this sequel, we finally learn the origin of the Sanderson sisters, which helps us understand why they are who they are, why the sisters were banned from Salem as youngsters, and why they became involved in witchcraft. I love that the original actors who played the sisters reprised their roles here. With this film taking place 29 years later, it makes for hilarious moments watching the sisters get familiar with the “new town,” such as watching them search for new beauty products to become younger and having young fans wanting to take selfies with them. The Sanderson’s spell-bounding rendition and performance of “One Way of Another” (Hocus Pocus 2 Version) they sing to the residents at the festival is entertaining and original.

Hocus Pocus 2 is about friendship, sisterhood, and forgiveness. Many of their issues are resolved once the trio realizes what is most important to them and stop holding grudges. Even the high school teenagers have to realize they are better together than apart. This film also highlights the importance of reading labels and ALL of the instructions and spells; otherwise, you may miss an important warning. Parents should be aware of the reference to virgins that have to light the Black Flame Candle (but with a hilarious “parent-like” definition), which will probably have kids asking more questions.

Hocus Pocus 2 gets 4 out of 5 stars from me and I recommend it for ages 5 to 18, plus adults. I recommend watching the original film, since this one has plenty of references to Hocus Pocus. Hocus Pocus 2 is available now, exclusively on Disney+. 

Hocus Pocus 2
By Mikella G., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 15

An exciting, heartwarming and nostalgic adventure, this film brings back old memories of day-one fans, and will captivate and capture a new audience as well through its wild fun journey.

Hocus Pocus 2 returns to Salem, Massachusetts where it all began. It follows the original film, after years have passed with the Sanderson Sisters being nothing but a spooky story. However, not everyone believes that they are just a myth, particularly Becca (Whitney Peak), Izzy (Belissa Escobedo) and Cassie (Lilia Buckigham), who are three teenage girls that have always had a fascination with magic and witches.

On Halloween they find themselves doing their yearly spell rituals, expecting nothing from them, when they accidentally find themselves bringing back the iconic Sanderson Sisters. The girls now must find a way to stop the child-hungry sisters from finding a way to stay alive forever.

The execution of this film is outstanding. Although it is a sequel, this movie truly lives up to the original. It continues the story with a modern twist, and still has that same nostalgic feeling. Years have passed, but watching this movie takes you right back, and the Sanderson Sisters weave their way back to the top.

It’s evident that Director Anne Fletcher fully understands the nostalgic feeling of this sequel, which we see in every aspect of the film. Another thing that really stands are the costumes. The time put into each and every detail is magnificent and all the accessories and outfits are so personal to each character; that is something that I personally really appreciate and adore! Lastly, I truly enjoy the constant comedic moments. This movie really gives the audience a good laugh. They really take into account the difference of a new generation watching this and play a lot with that aspect in the script.

The message of Hocus Pocus 2 is that “in the end, nothing is worth it if you don’t have those you love most there with you.”

Hocus Pocus 2 gets 4.5 out of 5 stars from me and I recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. You can watch Hocus Pocus 2 now on Disney Plus+.

Follow the journey of grassroots innovators dedicated to fighting some of today’s most pressing sustainability issues. Through actions, big and small, everyday change-makers are tackling local problems and inspiring their communities with ingenuity, resilience and vision. Whether it’s a solar-powered car built from recycled materials by a self-taught engineer to combat air pollution or a line of cleaning products made from food waste by someone with no chemistry training, grassroots solutions are setting the planet on a more sustainable path. But for a real breakthrough, governments, global institutions and the private sector must recognize these innovators and actively seek out their ideas. From the streets of Baku to a farming community in the Andes and the mountains of Northern India, our documentary follows five innovators on their quest for real, actionable change. Their journey to innovation is never simple-how do you keep going when even your husband doesn’t believe in your idea?-but the power of their vision keeps them going. Is the world ready to finally listen to them and change the way it handles and solves global problems?

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Eshaan M. comments, “One of my favorite documentaries of the past year, For Tomorrow is an uplifting, inspiring and thought-provoking portrait of human resilience and innovation. With immaculate cinematography and compelling storytelling, young minds will be nourished by this wonderful film. Even the K-pop group BTS thinks so. See his full review below.                                        

For Tomorrow
By Eshaan M., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 16

One of my favorite documentaries of the past year, For Tomorrow is an uplifting, inspiring and thought-provoking portrait of human resilience and innovation. With immaculate cinematography and compelling storytelling, young minds will be nourished by this wonderful film. Even the K-pop group BTS thinks so.

“Minds on the margin are not marginal minds.” This line perfectly sums up For Tomorrow, which, yes, was promoted by the Korean pop band BTS.

Following five grassroots innovators from across the world, this documentary, narrated by Daisy Ridley, strives to go beyond labs, think tanks, and name brands to show the real people making change happen. One, a disability rights activist in Baku, Azerbaijan, fights for the construction of elevators in metro stations to make public transport more accessible for the 620,000 disabled Azerbaijanis. Another change-maker is an inventor in Sierra Leone, working to bring electricity to rural areas and get more solar cars on the roads.

An Tran’s direction elevates this already incredible film, as she creates mini-portraits of each of the innovators featured in the film, showing what their daily lives look like and how they tackle the challenges they face every day, whether that’s mountains of trash outside or water scarcity.

The cinematography is just WOW; it’s clear that production was clearly highly valued. For Tomorrow was produced in association with the acclaimed platform fortomorrow.org and the UN Development Programme; the UN could not have made a better filmed or edited documentary to promote their site. I love how For Tomorrow both intertwines, but also separates, the stories of each change-maker. This makes the film easy to follow and constantly engaging.

For Tomorrow promotes finding unique solutions in, at-times, dire situations and empowers others. The world’s biggest problems won’t be solved with just one person’s effort — collaboration is the key.

I give For Tomorrow 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. ForTomorrow is available Amazon Prime Video now.

While Amy is preparing for her father’s Halloween-themed wedding, she, Gilbert and Marshall discover that Harold and Rose may be in danger. An evil mummy is unexpectedly awakened and out for revenge.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Hanadie K. comments, “As a horror film enthusiast, I must admit, I fancy a well-executed spooky comedy. If you are anything like me, Under Wraps 2 is a film to watch. This film really gives viewers just the right balance of Halloween fright, mummy madness, gut-busting humor, and friendship feels.” See her full review and interviews below.

Under Wraps 2
By Hanadie K., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, 11

As a horror film enthusiast, I must admit, I fancy a well-executed spooky comedy. If you are anything like me, Under Wraps 2 is a film to watch. This film really gives viewers just the right balance of Halloween fright, mummy madness, gut-busting humor, and friendship feels. If eerie films, impromptu dance scenes and happy endings are your thing, don’t deprive yourself of watching this scary, family-friendly fun film.

Chaperoned by a kooky and delightful friend, Buzzy (Melanie Brook), best friends Marshall (Malachi Barton), Gilbert (Christian J. Simon), and Amy (Sophia Hammons) prepare to attend the Halloween-inspired wedding of Amy’s father (Claude Knowlton) and his adoring fiance (Anotion Cayonne). Marshall, Gilbert and Amy are soon met with unexpected chaos when they crack a mystery museum burglary. The mystery reveals their best mummy friend, Harold (Phil Wright) and his doting mummy bride Rose (Rryla McIntosh) are in grave danger. These pals will do anything to rescue their ancient companions from harm.

This spooktacular live action film follows the trio as they race against the clock to save their mummy besties from the spine-chilling, evil mummy named Sobek (T.J. Storm) who was accidentally resurrected, by a naive museum guard, Larry (Jordan Conley). Sobek wants nothing more than to destroy Harold and run away with Rose, and with the help of a hypnotized Larry, he might just get away with it. The director of this film, Alex Zamm hooks viewers in from the beginning. His ability to make horror films fun to watch speaks to his creative genius. The comedic timing of the characters such as Larry and Beuller, the jeweler (Adam Wiley), gives the film a light-hearted element.

There are several times throughout the film that viewers experience unanticipated twists that seem to fit perfectly. Under Wraps 2 has remarkable camera work that gives you the illusion that you’re in the film with the actors. Also, the sound effects are so stellar you feel like you’re watching the movie in surround sound. I would be remiss if I did not mention the realistic special effects. The mummy masks and costumes are detailed and frighteningly realistic. My favorite scene in Under Wraps 2 is when Harold and Rose order an astronomical amount of room service and end up in a synchronized dance battle at the town’s Halloween fair. As a close second, there is a scene where a party of people experience a messy chocolate fountain mishap — that is hilarious.

Subtly, diversity and inclusion are cleverly wrapped in the fiber of this film, which is overflowing with empowering messages. Under Wraps 2 reminds us of the power of friendship as these besties show us how real friends will go to any length to help one another, even when it means facing your deepest fears. It also reminds us that “love is love” and to never judge others, simply because they are different. You should be aware that there is an LGBTQ+ marriage and same-sex kissing scene.

Under Wraps 2 gets 5 out of 5 stars from me and I recommend it for ages 5 to 12, plus adults. This is a family fun movie that everyone can enjoy. Under Wraps 2 released on Disney Channel September 25 and will be released on Disney+ September 30, 2002.