In October of 2004, fans of the Halloweentown Disney Channel movies were treated to a new spooky sequel called Halloweentown High. This movie is the third in the Halloweentown movie series, preceded by the original Halloweentown (1998) and Halloweentown II-Kalabar’s Revenge (2001). In September 2005, Halloweentown High became available on DVD. The Disney Channel often airs all of the Halloweentown movies during the month of October.

Most of the original cast returns, with the lead roles of Marnie Piper played by Kimberly Brown and Aggie Cromwell played by Debbie Reynolds. A few new characters are introduced in this sequel, most notably, Finn Whitrock, who plays the role of Cody. Marnie has grown quite a bit and is now a teenager attending high school while learning the Cromwell magic. Younger siblings Dylan (Joey Zimmerman) and Sophie (Emily Roske) have also grown since the first Halloweentown.

---STOP HERE if you dare not find out about the movie’s plot details!

Can Warlocks and Witches Survive High School in the Mortal World?

The driving force of Halloweentown High is fueled by Marnie’s optimism that the ghouls and warlocks of Halloweentown can blend in with the teens of the mortal world. Marnie may be a bit too optimistic here, give the fact that her supernatural abilities as a Cromwell witch are heavily masked by her appearance as a wholesome and bright-eyed American-Halloweentowner teenager. Nobody would know that Marnie was a witch, unlike her Halloweentown High peers who sport pumpkinheads and look like warlocks. Marnie fits in so well with other mortals that she has to finally confess to friend Cody that she is part witch. This is a slightly awkward moment for Marnie.

Nonetheless, Marnie’s wish to bring some of her Halloweentown High friends to the mortal high school is granted. There is a catch though. The skeptics in Halloweentown doubt that their teens can thrive in the outside world. In order for Marnie to follow through with her plans to integrate, she must give up her magic practice. If any incidents occur during the "Halloweentown Study at Mortal High School Program," Marnie must forfeit the Cromwell magic.

All Teenagers are Strange Characters

Marnie might have been able to prove her point if there weren’t so many forces working against her. Even sending Grandma Aggie to teach at the high school proves to be problematic. Aggie struggles to appear normal to her students but, there’s just something different about Mrs. Cromwell… Meanwhile, the mortal high schoolers have enough of their own teen problems with trying to fit in. Add the interfering plots of the Knight of the Evil Dagger to the mix and nothing seems to be going smoothly for Marnie and her friends. It’s not easy trying to be human.

The end comes, of course, after all the trouble comes to a boil and Marnie faces a future without all the hocus pocus. Will Marnie face the scorn of the Halloweentown Council and lose her powers? I won’t spoil the finale, but keep in mind that this is a Disney Channel movie and there is a fourth movie on the way.

My Haunting Thoughts about Halloweentown High

Both Kimberly Brown (Marnie) and Debbie Reynolds(Aggie) do their best to keep up the energy of the previous Halloweentown movies and some the new characters are definitely creative, but there are a few places in the movie where the plot seemed just a bit too predictable. I liked the first two Halloweentown movies better, but if you see the first two, you will want to see this one just to follow the Halloweentown and Cromwell dramas. The new characters are interesting to watch with their unique monster appearances and quirks. My oldest son liked this movie best, probably because it centered more on the high school theme, which is "cool" to him at 13. The other kids (5,8, & 11) watch the first two Halloweentown movies more often but they like this one too. Grab a copy of Halloweentown High to prepare for the premier of Return to Halloweentown airing on the Disney Channel on October 20, 2006. Rumor has it that Marnie is now in college.

To find out more about the Cromwell Witches:
Halloweentown I and II

**The DVD includes some extras that are must-haves for any Halloweentown fans. The DVD includes "Halloween Hi Jinks," an interactive trivia game, and a Halloween party planner for a CD-Rom .

Buena Vista Entertainment
Release Date: September 13, 2005
DVD Format
123 minutes

CAST
Aggie Cromwell: Debbie Reynolds
Marnie Piper: Kimberly Brown
Dylan Piper: Joey Zimmerman
Sophie Piper: Emily Roeske
Finn Whitrock: Cody
Gewn Piper: Judith Hoag
Lucas Graebel: Ethan
Clifton Davis: Principal Flanigan
Frank Garrish: Pumpkinhead







Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 9 - 12