Synopsis
The three Sanderson sisters are witches who suck the life out of children so that they can be forever young. After sucking the life out of young Emily Binx and turning her brother Thackery into an immortal cat, they are sentenced to be hung. As they are facing the gallows, they announce that they will return in the future. 300 years later, Max Dennison, a new student in Salem, lights a candle that brings them back from the dead, thinking it was all a silly legend. The witches have one night to suck the life out of children or they will turn to dust, so they chase Max, Allison (his love interest), and his younger sister Dani (Thora Birch), who they have selected as their first victim due to the fact that she called them ugly. Hilarious and sometimes musical adventures ensue as the witches chase the children and they try to keep the witches from living through the night.
Fun for All Ages
This film is a plus on many levels. Although buying into many Halloween stereotypes (evil witches making brews over cauldrons), and the typical side romance between the two teenagers, this movie has a lot to offer. The acting of Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy really add life to this film as well. They are two dimensionally evil characters, but with distinctive personalities. Winnie (Midler) is the self-conscious leader, and the only one with an iota of wits. Sarah (Parker), is the beauty of the bunch who is dimwitted. Mary (Najimy) is even more clueless as to what is happening. It is more cartoonish than scary, making it appropriate for younger audiences. But it also contains some adult humor that makes it entertaining for an older audience, but will go unheeded by younger viewers.
Highlights
One of the most entertaining scenes in the movie is when Max is trying to expose the witches’ plan at a Halloween party in Salem. After jumping on stage and announcing that the Sanderson sisters have returned, Winnie thinks fast and thanks him for the introduction, at which point she begins to sing “I Put a Spell on You.” Midler’s singing is both seriously good and hilarious. The movie's climax is also quite satisfying, with good overcoming evil in the traditional Disney way.
All in all this movie can be considered a family-friendly film for the haunting season, and has made it onto the holiday classic shelf in many homes.
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