2 Magic 2 Practical

One of my most anticipated movies of the year is Practical Magic 2, the long-awaited sequel to one of my favorite films of all time, Practical Magic. Following the teaser we got a couple months ago, there is now a full trailer, and dare I hope? Practical Magic 2 might be good?

I was already on board to return to the world of the magical Owens sisters, but then you show me nearly naked, tattooed Lee Pace and…like…yes, this is for me, thank you very much. (True story, based on the descriptions in the books, I pictured Ilya Rozanov looking like Lee Pace.) Lee Pace is an entire snack, and Susanne Bier is a director who understands what anyone who has the remotest interest in men wants, which is Lee Pace leaning on things.

But the heart of the film is clearly the sisters, three generations of them now, from Frances and Jet to Gillian and Sally to Kylie and Antonia, Sally’s now-grown daughters who are seeking to break the family curse. (I’m on my Duana Name Therapist soap box to say that Kylie and Antonia are completely different genres of names and don’t go well together.) I’m a little thrown by the setup of Kylie (Joey King) saying, “I will never trust you again,” to Sally, after apparently being told of the family curse all her life. It’s not Sally’s fault you didn’t believe her! But then, this is some drama to watch unfold in the film. Since the older generations resolved their issues in the first film, it’s on the Gen Z witches to bring the drama this time.

Well, them and Lee Pace. There is a twinkle in that boy’s eyes if ever I’ve seen one—every Lee Pace character is “scamp” coded. I remember seeing him pop up in Twilight: Breaking Dawn (get paid) and thinking his vampire character could support an entire spinoff of his own. Someday, we should probably talk about how Twilight has the best and worst worldbuilding you will ever hear, which is a huge part of its enduring appeal. Anyway, Practical Magic 2 continues to get my hopes up, although now that I am thinking about it, the title really should be 2 Magic 2 Practical. We really should be having more fun with sequel names.