Securing a greenlight for a sequel nearly 30 years after the original picture foundered upon its release would, in all likelihood, have demanded nothing short of a stroke of magic.

1998’s “Practical Magic,” spearheaded by Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman as the Owens family witches, ultimately attained cult-classic status, consolidating its reputation through a home video release and, in due course, streaming services and social media.

Thus, 28 years on, the original stars have returned, the midnight margaritas make their comeback, and even the iconic coastal Massachusetts house that anchored the first film was reconstructed, delivering the ultimate nostalgic flourish.

Sufficient time has elapsed since the original movie's release that its '90s wardrobe has cycled back into vogue.

Yet “Practical Magic 2” jettisons several of the original’s most estimable components, not least the kitschy exuberance that had conferred upon it an improbable afterlife.

The inaugural instalment constituted a melding of “Death Becomes Her” and “Halloweentown,” yet the sequel relinquishes a measure of that whimsy in favour of a more authentically eerie undercurrent that sits somewhat incongruously.

Where a pentagram in the original is wrought from whipped cream, it is rendered in fire in the sequel.

We pick up shortly after the 1998 film's denouement, with the Owens sisters beholding the curse that has beset their family of witches for generations unfolding yet once more.

Sally (Bullock) is rendered a widow anew when her second husband meets a premature demise, as do all men who fall in love with an Owens woman.

She compels her sister Gillian (Kidman) and her aunts Jet and Franny (Dianne Wiest and Stockard Channing) to swear an oath that they will divulge neither their magical abilities nor the curse to her two young daughters, and she casts a spell to efface from their memories all recollection of their witchy childhoods.

Fast forward to the time when those young girls (a terrific Joey King and an underutilized Maisie Williams) have reached adulthood and begun to take an interest in romance, whereupon chaos ensues.

Sally’s daughter Kylie (King) propels the at times meandering plot forward through her mission to undo the Owens family curse after her boyfriend, Gideon (Xolo Maridueña), lapses into a coma.

Sally and Gillian follow her to England in an endeavor to safeguard her from dark magic.

This is where the original’s spooky-playful energy is supplanted by a decidedly more spooky-creepy register.

Perhaps a preponderance of eerie elements simply comes with the territory of a major studio’s release amid the ever-expanding Halloween season.

Yet “Practical Magic 2” is devoid of those moments of unalloyed delight — such as Bullock imploring PTA moms to form a coven or Kidman urging neighbors to hold fast to their husbands upon her return to town — that rendered the original film’s darker passages altogether more palatable.

The film yet harbours moments of charm and tenderness, lent momentum by its formidable performances.

Bullock and Kidman furnish the comedic zenith, whilst the emotional gravitas is adroitly borne by Channing, Wiest and King.

Lee Pace acquits himself admirably as the beguiling British scholar of witchcraft and magic who aids Sally and Gillian in their endeavour to rescue Kylie, whilst simultaneously embodying the romantic interest for the romance-averse Sally.

Yet the film’s most compelling chemistry resides in the pairing of Bullock and Kidman, who are, offscreen, the closest of friends.

Their rapport with one another, and with director Susanne Bier, who has collaborated with each of them, is what sustains the protracted sequel.

As with its predecessor, the sequel boasts a robust soundtrack and score that serve to propel the narrative through its oscillation between lighter and darker interludes.

Fear not, Stevie Nicks returns.

As does Harry Nilsson’s “Coconut.”

“Practical Magic 2,” a Warner Bros. Pictures release that commenced its theatrical run on Thursday, has been rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association on account of some violent content, suggestive material and brief strong language.

Running time: 130 minutes.

Two stars out of four.