HOCUS POCUS TAKES THE TRAIN

Magician’s rabbit meets dropped bunny toy at the railroad station. Can they reach the train before it departs without them?

The tale is propelled by the same high-tension comic suspense and bursts of frantic action that supercharged its predecessor, Hocus Pocus (2011). The ensuing chase through the railroad station pits the lagomorphic laggards against not only physical obstacles that range from a moving forest of passengers’ legs to automatic doors with out-of-reach release buttons, but also the active efforts of the oblivious magician’s snickering dog to derail the rescue at every turn. With only sound effects (“PAF!”; “blblblblblbl!”; “ZIIIP!”) and symbols (a light bulb; a wailing baby) for dialogue, the sequential panels of simply drawn retro-style art depict sudden reverses and quick, clever workarounds. It all rushes breathlessly to a happy conclusion: dog foiled, rabbit back in hat, plush bunny reunited with screaming toddler in the seat across the aisle. Whew!

A taut, high-speed escapade even very young viewers can keep up with.