The Practical Magic 2 movie review is a story of two things. The stars are wonderful. The movie is not. Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman are back as the Owens sisters. They still have that chemistry. They still make you smile. But the script lets them down.
The story is messy. The magic feels forced. It is a sequel that exists because fans wanted it. Not because anyone had a great idea for it. The Practical Magic 2 movie review is simple. Great cast. Weak script. Fans will love it. Critics will not.
Practical Magic 2 Cast: Who Returns and Who Is New
The Practical Magic 2 cast brings back the core group. Sandra Bullock is Sally. Nicole Kidman is Gillian. Stockard Channing and Dianne Wiest return as the aunts, Frances and Jet . They are the heart of the film. Every scene they are in feels warm.
The next generation is played by Joey King as Kylie and Maisie Williams as Antonia . Joey King gets the most screen time. Critics called her "the most surprisingly enjoyable aspect of the sequel" . Maisie Williams is mostly wasted. She wanders around with little to do .
Lee Pace plays Ian Wright, a magic academic. Xolo Maridueña plays Gideon, Kylie's boyfriend who falls into a coma . Aidan Quinn does not return. His character, Gary Hallet, is killed off in the opening moments. That decision upset some critics .
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What Is Practical Magic 2 About?
If you are asking what is Practical Magic 2 about, here is the simple version. The Owens family curse is back. Kylie falls in love with Gideon. He gets hit by a car and falls into a coma. Kylie is furious. She did not even know she was a witch. Her mother Sally hid it from her.
Kylie runs off to England to find a cure. Sally and Gillian chase after her. They meet Ian, a handsome professor who knows about magic. He tries to get Sally to embrace her powers again. Sally is scared. She has seen what her magic can do. The film becomes a globetrotting adventure to break the curse once and for all .
Practical Magic 2 Rotten Tomatoes: The Scores Are Bad
The Practical Magic 2 rotten tomatoes score is 37% . That is from critics. The audience score is 93% . That is a huge gap. Fans love it. Critics do not.
This is actually similar to the original film. The 1998 Practical Magic has a 30% critic score. But it became a cult classic. The sequel is following the same path. Critics hate it. Fans are showing up anyway .
Practical Magic 2 Empire Review: "The Magic, Sadly, Isn't"
- The Practical Magic 2 empire review is one of the harshest. Empire gave it two stars. Their review says the film "trades the original's unruly feminist magic for something disappointingly conventional" .
- The Empire critic wrote: "The midnight margaritas are back. The magic, sadly, isn't" . That line sums up the whole film. It has the ingredients. It just does not work.
- Empire also pointed out that the film feels male-centered. The original was about women building their own world. The sequel puts a man, Ian, at the center of the story. That disappointed critics who loved the original's feminist energy .
What Critics Agreed On?
Almost every critic agreed on one thing. Bullock and Kidman are great. Their sisterly banter is the best part of the film. The Guardian praised their "sheer, unflappable chemistry" . The Indian Express said the "sibling jousting" is the best part .
The aunts are also a highlight. Empire said their "gentle teasing and bickering is where the film feels the most alive" .
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What Critics Hated?
- The screenplay is the main problem. The Hollywood Reporter said the script "seems in danger of falling apart" . The story rushes from beat to beat. It never gives you time to feel anything.
- The film is 130 minutes long. Critics said it feels longer. The pacing is off. The plot is messy. The ending feels rushed .
- The decision to kill off Gary Hallet in the opening minutes was also criticized. One review said it "begins on a sour note" and makes the lighter moments feel jarring .
Final Word
The Practical Magic 2 movie review is clear. This is a film for fans. If you loved the original, you will probably enjoy seeing these characters again. The audience score proves that. 93% of viewers liked it.
But if you want a good movie, you might be disappointed. The Practical Magic 2 rotten tomatoes score is low for a reason. The script is weak. The story is messy. The magic is missing. The Practical Magic 2 Empire review said it best. The midnight margaritas are back. The magic is not.
FAQs
1. What is Practical Magic 2 about?
Kylie falls for Gideon. He gets hit by a car. Falls into a coma. Kylie runs to England for a cure. Sally and Gillian chase her. They meet Ian, a magic professor. Sally is scared of her powers. The film becomes a globetrotting hunt to break the family curse.
2. What is the Practical Magic 2 rotten tomatoes score?
37% from critics. 93% from audiences. Big gap. Similar to the original. The 1998 film has 30% from critics. Became a cult classic. Sequel is following the same path.
3. What is the Practical Magic 2 Empire review saying?
Two stars. Empire said it trades the original's feminist magic for something conventional. Their line: "The midnight margaritas are back. The magic, sadly, isn't." Also said the sequel feels male-centered. The original was about women. This one puts a man at the center.
4. Who is in the Practical Magic 2 cast?
Sandra Bullock as Sally. Nicole Kidman as Gillian. Stockard Channing and Dianne Wiest return as the aunts. Joey King as Kylie. Maisie Williams as Antonia. Lee Pace as Ian Wright. Xolo Maridueña as Gideon.
5. Is Aidan Quinn in Practical Magic 2?
No. His character Gary Hallet is killed off in the opening moments. Critics did not like that choice. One review said it begins on a sour note. Made the lighter scenes feel jarring.
6. What do critics agree on?
Bullock and Kidman are great. Their sisterly banter is the best part. The Guardian praised their chemistry. The Indian Express said the sibling jousting is the highlight. The aunts are also a bright spot.
7. What do critics hate?
The screenplay. The Hollywood Reporter said the script is in danger of falling apart. Story rushes from beat to beat. 130 minutes feels longer. Pacing is off. Ending feels rushed.
8. Should I watch Practical Magic 2?
If you loved the original, yes. Audience score is 93%. Fans are enjoying it. If you want a good movie, maybe skip it. Critic score is 37%. Script is weak. Magic is missing.
