La magie de la famille

The Hallmark Channel's series of Halloween movies starring Catherine Bell as Cassie continues with Cassie running for mayor, with events complicated when a cousin shows up and backs another candidate and causes problems with her stepchildren, who are going through teenage angst.

Catherine Bell continues with her perky, low-key performance as Cassie. She never quite does anything that is clearly magical -- other than getting on and off roofs to sweep leaves out of gutters -- which is quite charming. Somehow things always seem to break her way, except when her cousin makes trouble, for no clear reason.

Some of the cast seems to have put on some weight, particularly Chris Potter as her adoring husband. It's an amusing, lightweight piece of fluff, and although Ms. Bell continues to be charming, it's getting a bit long in the tooth. Still, it's a decent time waster and for a Halloween movie it's a decent way to spend a couple of hours.

I enjoyed this one, not as much as the others but still good for a lazy night inside. The worst thing was the creepy boyfriend, was he supposed to be like one of the Twilight guys, he looked the part. Can't believe the daughter would be so gullible. Didn't like that storyline. I didn't think Jake looked any chubbier. Martha was funny as usual. So no doubt Cassie will end up pregnant, we will then see if she has a little "Tabitha" and have her mother's powers. Will re-watch the other shows today. Good series. I think the mayor was so full of beans. Was hoping they would really break up and find new partners but this IS a Hallmark show.

Every Good Witch movie introduces a new stranger in town to stir things up. In this case, it's Cassie's heretofore unknown cousin, Abigail.

Cassie and Jake are now married, and Cassie is stepmother to Jake's two teenagers.

The town is divided over a proposed bridge, which the men (particularly Mayor Tinsdale) favor, expecting it to bring prosperity, and the women (led by Martha Tinsdale) oppose, fearing it will bring destruction (of the town's old-style charm). As the mayor's term in office is expiring, the women prevail upon Cassie to run for mayor, and with Martha's support, to lead the opposition to the bridge.

Cousin Abigail's particular witchy talent is in the casting of spells. Deserted by her father when she was just 13, she seems determined to hex the Russell household by whatever means possible, for reasons known but to her, including charming Deputy Derek Sanders to run for mayor against Cassie. (Derek's baker girlfriend from the previous movie has mysteriously moved out of town, leaving him susceptible to Abigail's bewitching influence.)

Of the four movies in the series to date, this is the edgiest and most threatening in terms of conflict, and viewers' displeasure is reflected (as of this writing) in a marginally lower average rating than all previous installments.

So, who will win the mayoral race? And will the bridge be built, or not? What is Abigail's motive? And after all this turmoil, will Middleton ever be peaceful again?

But more importantly, will there be another Good Witch movie? If so, what will be in store for "The Good Witch's Family"? Have we seen the last of the Tinsdales? And what new stranger will bring trouble to the town?

In the fourth instalment of The Good Witch series Cassie's not so nice long-lost cousin comes to visit. Her character adds some new spark to a cast that seems to currently be going through an awkward phase. Their character development in this movie just wasn't working for me unfortunately. And even the storyline was a bit non-existent.

This movie doesn't feel as charming as the others and is somewhat transitional in the storyline. It's just nowhere near as exciting. Although it wasn't the greatest, I am still looking forward to watching the rest of the series. Hopefully they can recreate the charm of the original movies because it really is a lovely movie series.

I finally got around to watching this one and I have to agree with most the other reviews: boy has Chris Potter become portly or is Jake fearing for his life in peaceful Middleton, Canada and wearing 3 bulletproof vests under his jacket!? If he doesn't watch it, Chris will soon catch up to Catherine Disher! Also he could use some botox or filler. Last time I saw him in interviews he looked a lot less wrinkled than this. Did he miss his injection appointments? Anyway he sure wasn't in the movie much at all this time and, again: real hard buying him as love interest or even straight. He sure doesn't show much affection in his eyes to his now wife. It's called acting, Chris, you used to know how to do this, what happened? Equally horrid is Catherine Bell's face: she's packing even more silicone in her cheeks than in movie 1. In fact she could play Maleficent and not need external prosthesis due that her silicone is stuffed deep below her skin! Her hair is still as flat and dingy as ever.

I can't add much more than the other reviewers have already said, except Chris Potter needs to stop leaving the police force (hello throw back to KFTLC packing his little box of stuff) and the storyline was horrid and did not move that much at all. Also whoever played Abigail was good, and she was a looker, a little like Megan Fox's little sister, a nice contrast to Catherine Bell's plastic face. OK so, how about some tips for the production to improve on the next film?

1. Have Chris Potter hit the gym and give him some DHEA, green tea and/or body building & fat burning amino acids. No one expects him to look 35 any more but come on! And get some romance scenes going.

2. MORE MAGIC! Enough of the wishy-washy is she or is she not? The title says "Witch" not "Pseudo New Ager Poser". Get some major magic tools, a wand, a crystal ball that she actually uses, you get the gist. Browse witchcraft websites and get this going. Sure keep it family but make it more hardcore so far as the witch/magic part is concerned. We could have used a close up on those stones (amethysts?) that Martha remarked she was selling for 25c. Give us close ups on the magical tools! And a full-on séance or spell casting scene would be tops! The voodoo dolls were a nice touch except you didn't do enough with them. SET THE MAGICAL MOOD!

3. Get Catherine Bell some decent clothes! No one expects her to dress like Dynasty but enough with the dull garb. Give the woman some color, hot pink, royal blue, bright red, fiery orange, bright green, titillating teal or turquoise, sequined purple etc. The half cloak she wore almost went there but it was dull gray plaid with a terrible cut above her rear. The red lining was a nice touch, more of that. Think magic: satin, sequins, glitter strategically placed, not overbearing would be cool. And do something with her hair. Extensions will give her much needed volume. Maybe a few curls too, like a lioness wig.

4. Bring back the old shop, make it cozy & witchy. Bring back Grey House. Make it more eerie. I'm thinking ghosts, sure go with are there or are there not, but get some good spooky music to go along. And bring back the old couple if the actors would (Grandpa).

5. Write a story that is not a yawn-fest this time. Can't help you with that except for the ghosts idea, no need to pay me royalties, it's on me. Hire the writers from story 1 and take it from there. Then your ratings will improve or else this series is going downhill faster than Obama's presidency. That's it.