Max LivingstoneThis week, I watched three pairs of Disney live-action movies: *George of the Jungle*, *Hocus Pocus*, *Maleficent* and their lone sequels. In all three cases, I've seen the first movie before, but wanted to refresh my memory – and see if I'd end up liking them any more or less. If you're curious, I give them 7/10, 4/10 and 4/10 respectively. Now I'll attach my fifty-word reviews of the sequels as replies here.
*George of the Jungle 2* (2003).
A cheap, terrible sequel in every respect. The CGI is atrocious, only a couple of actors return, every plot beat is utterly clichéd, and instead of having fun with kids like the first movie did, this one sardonically talks down to them. The only positive is that it's mercifully short.
My rating: 15%.
A cheap, terrible sequel in every respect. The CGI is atrocious, only a couple of actors return, every plot beat is utterly clichéd, and instead of having fun with kids like the first movie did, this one sardonically talks down to them. The only positive is that it's mercifully short.
My rating: 15%.
*Hocus Pocus 2* (2022).
I didn't like the first movie either, but this sequel disappoints for different reasons; it's more underwhelming than annoying. There are several unwelcome retcons, it tries to have its cake and eat it regarding the villains being simply misunderstood, and how do the witches suddenly know *One Way or Another*?
My rating: 35%.
I didn't like the first movie either, but this sequel disappoints for different reasons; it's more underwhelming than annoying. There are several unwelcome retcons, it tries to have its cake and eat it regarding the villains being simply misunderstood, and how do the witches suddenly know *One Way or Another*?
My rating: 35%.
*Maleficent: Mistress of Evil* (2019).
It's only slightly better than the first movie. It's at least easier to appreciate as its own thing, but every plot beat is so bog-standard that the supposedly emotional moments fall completely flat. When Maleficent's exploring the Dark Fey cavern, it somehow looks like a scene straight out of *Avatar*.
My rating: 45%.
It's only slightly better than the first movie. It's at least easier to appreciate as its own thing, but every plot beat is so bog-standard that the supposedly emotional moments fall completely flat. When Maleficent's exploring the Dark Fey cavern, it somehow looks like a scene straight out of *Avatar*.
My rating: 45%.