370 reviews
- dustinleslie
- Oct 28, 2020
- Permalink
I've never made a review until now...
I'm a HUGE fan of the first since it came out when I was a younger kid. Still remains one of the best movies from my childhood.
So while I had small expectations from the trailer but I still had an open mind going into it.
The cons definitely outweigh the pros.
Cons: There was ALOT of unanswered questions, lots of things were thrown at your randomly, the scenes were rushed, the effects were boring/very cheesy af, and the majority of the actors mostly the girls and parents were very cringy. And the way the humor and comedic relief was thrown in just wasn't it. And It just felt so underwhelming. And it is def built around a Gen Z audience instead of the older audience who loved the original and made it a cult classic Pros: it had some potential, the main actress who played Lily was ok. The actor who played Tommy was better and the best of the cast. Probably because of the actual and only character development and was very well played. Not to sound harsh but that's about it.
In the end this whole plotline seems like something a high school teenager would've wrote for a English creative writing story.
Very disappointed but not surprised.
So while I had small expectations from the trailer but I still had an open mind going into it.
The cons definitely outweigh the pros.
Cons: There was ALOT of unanswered questions, lots of things were thrown at your randomly, the scenes were rushed, the effects were boring/very cheesy af, and the majority of the actors mostly the girls and parents were very cringy. And the way the humor and comedic relief was thrown in just wasn't it. And It just felt so underwhelming. And it is def built around a Gen Z audience instead of the older audience who loved the original and made it a cult classic Pros: it had some potential, the main actress who played Lily was ok. The actor who played Tommy was better and the best of the cast. Probably because of the actual and only character development and was very well played. Not to sound harsh but that's about it.
In the end this whole plotline seems like something a high school teenager would've wrote for a English creative writing story.
Very disappointed but not surprised.
Honestly this was such a disappointment to see. This movie contains more like a cliche teen high school movie elements instead of thriller/horror. I personally can't see any horror items in it. I hate how they never mentioned main characters' backstories or their daily lives. And there were SO many plotholes that i can't catch up while watching. Literally I'm so disappointed rn just go and watch the original one and don't waste ur time watching this. In the end I'd like these characters so much if writers wrote them better. But with that many unanswered questions in the plot and zero backstory on main characters... a no from me
- marlanafaye
- Oct 29, 2020
- Permalink
I do really like the original but I never grew up with it so I don't have that connection with it like some other people. That being said this film was still not great.
I did actually enjoy some parts especially when the group were kind of just hanging out together and being fun.
There are so many dead end plots that just go absolutely no where like just nothing happens. For example there is this random scene where someone sleep walks into the main girls room, it is played as a jump scare. And then we never hear of it again. It was pointless and an absolute waste of time. This is just one thing, there are many other things like this. This is a stab in the dark but when watching I realised a few scenes from the trailer were absent from the movie and I feel like this is maybe why so many sub plots are just dead in the water because they are all on the cutting room floor.
I found that the ending seemed tacked on too and was just super unnecessary and then even more so the scenes that take place after the climax of the movie. They once again just felt like "oh here is an idea...actually never mind".
I think this movie would have been so much better if they just focused on the group and didn't bog it down with everything else. I also didn't like that they were just like had powers from the start there was no build up like in the original and no scenes where they had to practice them.
I really liked that it was a pretty inclusive movie and had a inclusive feeling running though the middle of it.
One small nit pick as well is that I really didn't like the soundtrack and score. It was such a hodge podge and didn't do the movie any favours. The original movie is such a time capsule of a time and culture in the 90s and this was just like all over the place.
I did actually enjoy some parts especially when the group were kind of just hanging out together and being fun.
There are so many dead end plots that just go absolutely no where like just nothing happens. For example there is this random scene where someone sleep walks into the main girls room, it is played as a jump scare. And then we never hear of it again. It was pointless and an absolute waste of time. This is just one thing, there are many other things like this. This is a stab in the dark but when watching I realised a few scenes from the trailer were absent from the movie and I feel like this is maybe why so many sub plots are just dead in the water because they are all on the cutting room floor.
I found that the ending seemed tacked on too and was just super unnecessary and then even more so the scenes that take place after the climax of the movie. They once again just felt like "oh here is an idea...actually never mind".
I think this movie would have been so much better if they just focused on the group and didn't bog it down with everything else. I also didn't like that they were just like had powers from the start there was no build up like in the original and no scenes where they had to practice them.
I really liked that it was a pretty inclusive movie and had a inclusive feeling running though the middle of it.
One small nit pick as well is that I really didn't like the soundtrack and score. It was such a hodge podge and didn't do the movie any favours. The original movie is such a time capsule of a time and culture in the 90s and this was just like all over the place.
- BandSAboutMovies
- Oct 29, 2020
- Permalink
The first craft was by far so much better than this one but it did have some good acting moments. The music couldn't have been worse though. I don't know how it could be called horror though. Too draw out.
I really liked The Craft, with its engrossing blend of dark fantasy and strikingly frank coming-of-age drama. Its sequel retains that dark style, boldly going for a borderline R-rated story with some very adult ideas.
However, while its predecessor told a challenging story that ultimately showed itself as a moral fable, The Craft: Legacy is a more morally dubious film, gratuitously overloading itself with different social issues of the day and ticking them off one by one as it wrestles with some very problematic themes.
First off, though, I really want to praise the way that The Craft: Legacy lives up to the dark reputation of the first film. Though perhaps not as emotionally overwhelming as its predecessor, this sequel really sticks to its guns with a dark and frank story that's more about the characters than pure young adult fantasy.
There's a part of me that misses some of the more action-packed fantasy sequences from the previous film, but it's really commendable the way that this sequel commits to a bolder, darker style in a world where it could have been so easy to make a lazy rehash of the Twilight movies.
Couple that with strong performances from the film's young lead quartet, all of whom are mature and very assured on screen throughout, and you have a film that's a lot more than just a throwaway bit of fantasy fare.
However, I found the way that The Craft: Legacy uses its darker, thematically upfront style really problematic. The Craft told a heavy-going story about bullying and coming-of-age, and although arguably mean-spirited at times, it eventually righted itself with a strong moral message in the end.
This film, meanwhile, looks at a variety of wider social issues which are all relevant in the modern world, yet it fails to consider them in enough detail, while also failing to address the morally questionable actions of its main characters.
So there are two issues here. First is the way in which The Craft: Legacy seems to tick off mentioning various social issues almost as if it's a 'woke' scorecard, without ever giving them the proper time and attention that they're due. There are throwaway comments about trans issues, racial discrimination, female adolescence, toxic masculinity and more, but the movie does little to really address those issues beyond just including them in the story.
All of those themes are important and worthy of discussion, but this film is painfully superficial in dealing with them.
Secondly, the film's overarching theme, that of taking on the patriarchy, is somehow used in a really morally questionable way. The film's feminist passions are evident, and it's great to see the way that it lends attention to the feelings of a group of young women, but it spends too much time on the attack, with a bizarre portrayal of men that comes off as incredibly mean-spirited.
In this movie, the male characters are either evil masterminds looking to dominate women, or braindead puppets controlled by the whims of women. If the film had addressed either of those portrayals by looking in on itself towards the end, then they wouldn't be such a problem, but it's the way it almost celebrates this erroneous portrayal of men that really doesn't sit right with me.
For a film that's clearly there to inspire young women and to tackle important social issues, I was really surprised by just how aggressive and superficial The Craft: Legacy was - a far cry from the engrossing character drama of its predecessor.
Overall then, I was disappointed by The Craft: Legacy. Though admirable for its retention of the bold and dark style that made its predecessor so striking, the film struggles in its use of social themes, gratuitously ticking off various issues with little regard for reality, all the while telling a story about taking on the patriarchy in really bizarre fashion.
However, while its predecessor told a challenging story that ultimately showed itself as a moral fable, The Craft: Legacy is a more morally dubious film, gratuitously overloading itself with different social issues of the day and ticking them off one by one as it wrestles with some very problematic themes.
First off, though, I really want to praise the way that The Craft: Legacy lives up to the dark reputation of the first film. Though perhaps not as emotionally overwhelming as its predecessor, this sequel really sticks to its guns with a dark and frank story that's more about the characters than pure young adult fantasy.
There's a part of me that misses some of the more action-packed fantasy sequences from the previous film, but it's really commendable the way that this sequel commits to a bolder, darker style in a world where it could have been so easy to make a lazy rehash of the Twilight movies.
Couple that with strong performances from the film's young lead quartet, all of whom are mature and very assured on screen throughout, and you have a film that's a lot more than just a throwaway bit of fantasy fare.
However, I found the way that The Craft: Legacy uses its darker, thematically upfront style really problematic. The Craft told a heavy-going story about bullying and coming-of-age, and although arguably mean-spirited at times, it eventually righted itself with a strong moral message in the end.
This film, meanwhile, looks at a variety of wider social issues which are all relevant in the modern world, yet it fails to consider them in enough detail, while also failing to address the morally questionable actions of its main characters.
So there are two issues here. First is the way in which The Craft: Legacy seems to tick off mentioning various social issues almost as if it's a 'woke' scorecard, without ever giving them the proper time and attention that they're due. There are throwaway comments about trans issues, racial discrimination, female adolescence, toxic masculinity and more, but the movie does little to really address those issues beyond just including them in the story.
All of those themes are important and worthy of discussion, but this film is painfully superficial in dealing with them.
Secondly, the film's overarching theme, that of taking on the patriarchy, is somehow used in a really morally questionable way. The film's feminist passions are evident, and it's great to see the way that it lends attention to the feelings of a group of young women, but it spends too much time on the attack, with a bizarre portrayal of men that comes off as incredibly mean-spirited.
In this movie, the male characters are either evil masterminds looking to dominate women, or braindead puppets controlled by the whims of women. If the film had addressed either of those portrayals by looking in on itself towards the end, then they wouldn't be such a problem, but it's the way it almost celebrates this erroneous portrayal of men that really doesn't sit right with me.
For a film that's clearly there to inspire young women and to tackle important social issues, I was really surprised by just how aggressive and superficial The Craft: Legacy was - a far cry from the engrossing character drama of its predecessor.
Overall then, I was disappointed by The Craft: Legacy. Though admirable for its retention of the bold and dark style that made its predecessor so striking, the film struggles in its use of social themes, gratuitously ticking off various issues with little regard for reality, all the while telling a story about taking on the patriarchy in really bizarre fashion.
- themadmovieman
- Oct 27, 2020
- Permalink
I'm really surprised by all the bad reviews! I actually really enjoyed this, and I Love the first one. I went into this though without any expectations, and I actually expected it to be bad, so I was pleasantly surprised. I loved the fashion, I loved some of the issues they lightly touched on. I definately think it could have been longer to smooth out the story though but overall really enjoyed it.
The whole story was rushed and nothing made sense! There is nothing about the characters personal lived shared to make you understand who are these girls, how did they get powers, what made them interested in magic... A big fail!
- gleilsondantas
- Oct 27, 2020
- Permalink
I loved the first movie, so was really looking forward to this. Don't waste your time it is dreadful. I actually kept rewinding it thinking i had missed something. No story, no plot , no explanation for anything.
The main character is a reaonably good actress but that is the only positive comment i can make.
Total disappointment
- kaz12341-853-41242
- Oct 27, 2020
- Permalink
What a misfire this movie was. The plot made zero sense, the new characters were entirely without nuance or development, and the visual effects looked like a bad Instagram filter.
It felt like the writer was so concerned with making the central cast come across as perfectly moralistic do-gooders, that they forgot they where writing teenagers. When a male (Timmy) is the most interesting and fleshed out character in a Craft sequel, you've done something horribly wrong.
You'll see quite a few moments in the trailer that never showed up in the actual film, which leads me to think that the heavy hand of an editor was involved in this one. I knew this movie was seriously in trouble when the central conflict wasn't even introduced until the last twenty minutes.
This feels like the Nickelodeon version of The Craft, with all of the original film's edges systematically filed down to smooth nubs that won't injure anyone if they accidentally bump up against it.
It felt like the writer was so concerned with making the central cast come across as perfectly moralistic do-gooders, that they forgot they where writing teenagers. When a male (Timmy) is the most interesting and fleshed out character in a Craft sequel, you've done something horribly wrong.
You'll see quite a few moments in the trailer that never showed up in the actual film, which leads me to think that the heavy hand of an editor was involved in this one. I knew this movie was seriously in trouble when the central conflict wasn't even introduced until the last twenty minutes.
This feels like the Nickelodeon version of The Craft, with all of the original film's edges systematically filed down to smooth nubs that won't injure anyone if they accidentally bump up against it.
- JanWasHere
- Oct 29, 2020
- Permalink
No depth and no development...So disappointing. This movie is garbage for 2020.
weak and without essence, made more for teenagers ... It had potential.
- consumer-netherlands
- Oct 29, 2020
- Permalink
I feel like the film was trying to be too "woke". I also found Frankie's character to be incredibly annoying and felt like she was trying too hard, it was unnecessary and cringey to watch.
The plot was kind of all over the place, no element of horror and just terrible execution. I felt like I was watching a children's watered-down-Disney version of a witchcraft movie.
There was not enough character/relationship/sisterhood development. They're meant to be a coven and it just all happened so quickly, very minimal bonding and it all just felt like stage show magic. Didn't capture the true essence of witchcraft in my opinion.
There is not enough sage in the world to cleanse this completely flop of a film.
- jeritaphan
- Nov 4, 2020
- Permalink
It's definitely not as edgy or dark as the original, but it's not terrible. I was expecting much worse. It's true that character development was lacking, and there were moments you were left with unanswered questions, but overall it's enjoyable. Good plot, good acting, and sneaky last scene.
- Vanindel-1976
- Oct 27, 2020
- Permalink
This movie is horrible!! Very poorly written, impossible to like any of the characters. If you're a fan of the original, do yourself a favour and skip this garbage.
- camkennedy34
- Oct 28, 2020
- Permalink
I've read many of these reviews and clearly these people are incapable of following a movie. You have people complaining about character development, which really makes no sense. We learn all we need to about the characters, for the movie to make sense and not be crazy long. People are also complaining about no explanation of the other girls' powers; they clearly state they have been looking for a 4th for a long time and have been practicing magic for all that time as well. That's all we need to know about them. Movie is a solid 5 to 6 rating. It's not a horror movie and I'm not sure why anyone would expect it to be. These other reviewers must not have seen the 1996 movie which also was not a horror movie. I hate when people who know nothing about films leave bad reviews for a movie. Definitely worth a watch if you were into The Craft. You should enjoy it. Don't over thing or over analyze the film, just enjoy it.
- charliek-52994
- Oct 29, 2020
- Permalink
I was thinking it would be an exact remake of the first craft just in this day and age, I'm very thankful it wasn't they did different spells which ultimately made the movie more interesting I loved the Timmy turned good character & I liked the twist at the end good movies have good twist but I hope they make a third explaining some more.
- abbywingfield
- Dec 11, 2020
- Permalink
Forget for a moment that this film is to be a sequel to a 25 year old film that most people have forgotten. Instead consider the energy that the Director injects into the film to compensate for the lack of a traditional story arc ... as a kind of evolution. A new kind of horror. One that engages (thanks to exceptional acting and casting) as much as it horrifies.
- A_Different_Drummer
- Oct 28, 2020
- Permalink
This feels like only half of a movie. A pointless and unnecessary waste of talent. Go and rewatch The Craft instead of wasting your time on this.
Granted, I did not have high hopes for "The Craft: Legacy" when it was initially announced, and I dreaded the outcome of it. And sure enough, the movie was a weak imitation of the original 1996 "The Craft" movie.
Writer and director Zoe Lister-Jones failed utterly to bring something worthwhile to the screen, as "The Craft: Legacy" just felt like a watered down more family-friendly version of the 1996 movie. And that was just an abysmal turn for the movie to take. Especially since the 1996 movie was pretty good and impacting back in the day.
I am sure that "The Craft: Legacy" was meant to be a continuation of the 1996 movie, but it just failed at being an original movie in its own right, and it had none of the charm, appeal or impact that the 1996 movie had.
Sure, if you haven't seen the 1996 "The Craft" then I suppose "The Craft: Legacy" is a good enough movie. But for us that did watch it, then "The Craft: Legacy" is lacking the magic, the foreboding darkness that threatened behind the alluring call of using witch magic. And more importantly, it was lacking memorable characters.
The character gallery in "The Craft: Legacy" felt like they were using cardboard stand-in, most of them fully devoid of backstory and personalities. Even David Duchovny's character felt like a puppet just brought in for the heck of it.
Not even having the likes of David Duchovny and Michelle Monaghan in the movie could do much to lift up what was essentially a hollow and shallow movie experience.
The most interesting part about "The Craft: Legacy" was the person that showed up in the end of the movie, and get this, was present for a whole staggering 3 second or so! Now, I am not going to say whom it is, but yeah, you guessed it already, because it was that predictable.
My rating of "The Craft: Legacy" lands on a less than mediocre four out of ten stars. The movie was watchable, for sure, but this was by no means a worthy runner up to the 1996 "The Craft".
Writer and director Zoe Lister-Jones failed utterly to bring something worthwhile to the screen, as "The Craft: Legacy" just felt like a watered down more family-friendly version of the 1996 movie. And that was just an abysmal turn for the movie to take. Especially since the 1996 movie was pretty good and impacting back in the day.
I am sure that "The Craft: Legacy" was meant to be a continuation of the 1996 movie, but it just failed at being an original movie in its own right, and it had none of the charm, appeal or impact that the 1996 movie had.
Sure, if you haven't seen the 1996 "The Craft" then I suppose "The Craft: Legacy" is a good enough movie. But for us that did watch it, then "The Craft: Legacy" is lacking the magic, the foreboding darkness that threatened behind the alluring call of using witch magic. And more importantly, it was lacking memorable characters.
The character gallery in "The Craft: Legacy" felt like they were using cardboard stand-in, most of them fully devoid of backstory and personalities. Even David Duchovny's character felt like a puppet just brought in for the heck of it.
Not even having the likes of David Duchovny and Michelle Monaghan in the movie could do much to lift up what was essentially a hollow and shallow movie experience.
The most interesting part about "The Craft: Legacy" was the person that showed up in the end of the movie, and get this, was present for a whole staggering 3 second or so! Now, I am not going to say whom it is, but yeah, you guessed it already, because it was that predictable.
My rating of "The Craft: Legacy" lands on a less than mediocre four out of ten stars. The movie was watchable, for sure, but this was by no means a worthy runner up to the 1996 "The Craft".
- paul_haakonsen
- Oct 28, 2020
- Permalink
This is such a bad movie. Where is the magic, where is the darkness, I miss Nancy. The score was interesting, Nicholas Galitzine as Tommy was good and the last scene appearance was nice. The acting and the screenplay with its undeveloped plots were awful. Stick to the original!