I should really get one thing straight right from the beginning — this is not a good movie. In fact, aside from the actresses playing the Sanderson sisters, I can argue that pretty much everything else about the rest of this is garbage. From the crappy acting, bad dialogue, horrible special effects to the plot holes and inconsistencies found throughout, the whole thing is just a big mess. But it’s a mess I’ve loved since I was a kid and one I return to at least once a year when October rolls around.
The best and funniest moments in this movie take place during the ‘man out of time’ sequences involving the Sanderson sisters. Watching them react to technology and ideas that weren’t around when they were killed in the 1800s never ceases to bring a smile to my face and get me laughing. Whether they are running in fear from an angel who blessed them, discovering that Satan’s wife is meaner than he is or figuring out what a paved road and a bus are (complete with a dirty joke that completely went over my head for the longest time) are definitely among the best parts of the movie and the ones I remember most fondly.
Of course, the most memorable moment of the film is the Sanderson sisters’ rendition of Screamin’ Jay Hawkins’ “I Put a Spell on You” at the Halloween party all the parents are conveniently attending. Bring up the movie, and I can almost guarantee you that this scene will be one that almost everybody will immediately bring up. Of course it didn’t hurt that Bette Midler has a great set of pipes and was able to transform the song into something completely different and a lot of fun. Or maybe it’s just my OGT that I can’t resist a musical number. Whatever it is, I still sing along everytime!
Basically, this movie really belongs to Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker (back when she was but a wee pony) and Kathy Najimy who absolutely chew through every scene. Hell, I root for them for almost the entire movie until the very end when Winifred actually starts acting evil and trying to kill the kids. Kids, I might add, that almost seem to be throwaway characters who are simply there as devices to get the plot moving and to react to whatever zany things the inept Sanderson sisters are doing. The only other character that stands out is Thackery Binx, and that’s only because he’s a talking cat, and what kid doesn’t want a talking cat for their pet?
As you can tell, I shamelessly love this movie and count it among my guilty pleasures. It’s stupid and inane, but has enough humor to keep adults entertained while still enthralling kids with the goofy characters and the funny witches. If you haven’t seen it in awhile, and especially if you have kids, break it out, make some popcorn and be prepared to have a great time.