As someone who is more into edgy, thriller movies, I would just DIE of embarrassment if anyone I know knew how much I love this film! I don't know why, because it is an eternal cheese-fest, but it is such a feel-good film. I love everything about it from the Whoopi Goldberg and Lauren Hill to the corny storyline. OK, so it's certainly no masterpiece, but it's also no Teenwolf 2 either. I think this is an underrated gem and deserves more than the 4.5 rating it has received. It's worth watching just to hear the amazing voices of some of the individuals involved. I think everyone has a cheesy film they secretly love, and this is definitely mine - just don't tell anyone!!!!
119 Reviews
Enjoy it for what it is - don't knock it for what it isn't - please.
ianlouisiana3 January 2008
Warning: Spoilers
Yes of course it's totally unbelievable - it's a sequel to a movie that was totally unbelievable in the first place.Does anyone really expect "Sister Act 2 - Back in the habit" to be any more than hack work? Hastily cobbled together to cash in on the success of "Sister Act" it presents the Hollywood Cliché afficcianadoes with a positive cornucopia. How could you not enjoy a movie that presents squeaky clean well - dressed multi - talented "Ghetto Kids" from every possible racial group pretending to walk the walk and talk the talk whilst meekly submitting to Music Lessons in an inner - city High School run by the Catholic Church with beaming tolerance?They perform an emasculated version of rap after doing a ludicrously polite "Dozens" routine that would have been laughed out of The Projects in any big city in the U.S. Just naturally the re - activated Sister Mary Clarence wins them over and blends them into a choir fit to enter the All - State Choir Competition (only in America - one hopes). Oh,and incidentally,the school is threatened with closure just to add to your pleasure. Just how it resolves itself will surprise only those who can count the number of movies they have seen on one hand. So you can safely dismiss it then?Well,actually ......no.Because "Sister Act 2 - Back in the habit" has some glorious musical moments."His eye is on the sparrow" is exquisitely sung,"Ode to Joy" the winnning entry in the competition (oops! did I let something slip?)is accompanied by a pianist using some fantastic chord substitutions and is performed with the exhausting energy only the young and enthusisastic can summon up. So enjoy it for what it is - don't knock it for what it isn't - please.
Likable Woopy Goldberg goes back as Sister Mary Clarence to teach music to a group of rebel students in a rundown college
ma-cortes23 June 2013
This is an acceptable though inferior sequel to ¨Sister act¨ , a surprising box office hit ; it has a similar casting and set at an old High School which is destined for closure . The club singer Deloris Van Cartier (Whoopi Goldberg) is again asked to don the nun's habit to help a Catholic school , presided over by Superior Mother (Maggie Smith) and formed by charming nuns (Wendy Makkenna, Kathy Najimy , Mary Wickes, among others). Friendly Deloris back and has to teach music to a bunch of students in their parochial college which is fated for closure . She creates a choir to participate in the state championship . A group of stereotypical botcher monks (Barnard Hughes , Michael Jeter) and a greedy administrator (James Coburn) attempt to detain them . However ,one of the girls (Lauryn Hill) , who is the most talented of the team , is banned to sing by her mummy (Sheryl Lee Ralph) . Los Angeles lounge singer donning nun's habit and organizing the convent choir formed by sympathetic nuns who steal best laughs and including a spectacular as well as amusing concert .
This entertaining film with some genuinely funny moments follows the formula about a fish out water . Motormouth and kind Whoopi Goldberg is pretty well as the vaudeville star become unexpected nun , she is a complete show . Whoopi Goldberg was very unhappy making the first film and made this sequel only after Disney decided to finance her dream project, Sarafina! . Good performances from agreeable nuns , Wendy Makkenna , Kathy Najimy , the veteran Mary Wickes and excellent Maggie Smith who disapproves modern methods . Fine support cast , being this the first movie for Lauryn Hill, Ryan Toby and Jennifer Love Hewitt . And Whoopi Goldberg's daughter, Alex Martin, appears in this movie as one of the classroom children . The musical numbers in 'Diana Ross and the Supremes style', magical choreography and songs are catchy and done with gusto . The movie is amusing and entertaining with enjoyable set pieces but don't let it make you expect too much . Well-done musical score with swinging tunes by Marc Shaiman and Miles Goodman ; including colorful cinematography by Oliver Wood . The film is geared directly toward Whoopi Goldberg fans and young viewers . The motion picture was professionally directed by Bill Duke . Bill is a known and prestigious secondary actor , usual in villain roles as Commando (1985) and especially as one of Schwarzenegger's jungle commandos in Depredator (1987). After cutting his directorial teeth on the small screen , Duke directed his first feature film with the crime drama , ¨Rage in Harlem¨ (1991). This was followed by another impressive crime film ¨Deep cover¨ (1992), then made this comedy sequel , Sister Act 2 (1993). Duke has since continued to divide his time between appearing both in front of the camera and behind it , and remains a dynamic, stimulating and creative talent in Hollywood.
This entertaining film with some genuinely funny moments follows the formula about a fish out water . Motormouth and kind Whoopi Goldberg is pretty well as the vaudeville star become unexpected nun , she is a complete show . Whoopi Goldberg was very unhappy making the first film and made this sequel only after Disney decided to finance her dream project, Sarafina! . Good performances from agreeable nuns , Wendy Makkenna , Kathy Najimy , the veteran Mary Wickes and excellent Maggie Smith who disapproves modern methods . Fine support cast , being this the first movie for Lauryn Hill, Ryan Toby and Jennifer Love Hewitt . And Whoopi Goldberg's daughter, Alex Martin, appears in this movie as one of the classroom children . The musical numbers in 'Diana Ross and the Supremes style', magical choreography and songs are catchy and done with gusto . The movie is amusing and entertaining with enjoyable set pieces but don't let it make you expect too much . Well-done musical score with swinging tunes by Marc Shaiman and Miles Goodman ; including colorful cinematography by Oliver Wood . The film is geared directly toward Whoopi Goldberg fans and young viewers . The motion picture was professionally directed by Bill Duke . Bill is a known and prestigious secondary actor , usual in villain roles as Commando (1985) and especially as one of Schwarzenegger's jungle commandos in Depredator (1987). After cutting his directorial teeth on the small screen , Duke directed his first feature film with the crime drama , ¨Rage in Harlem¨ (1991). This was followed by another impressive crime film ¨Deep cover¨ (1992), then made this comedy sequel , Sister Act 2 (1993). Duke has since continued to divide his time between appearing both in front of the camera and behind it , and remains a dynamic, stimulating and creative talent in Hollywood.
A funny and charming film.
budmassey3 March 2001
I just love to read some of the negative comments on a film like this. This is a movie about a Las Vegas headliner who is called to help deal with unruly kids at a Catholic school. You were expecting maybe Schindler's List? When did it become such a crime just to enjoy a delightful movie packed with talent all geared toward entertainment?
And what talent. Whoopi Goldberg, Lauryn Hill, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Kathy Najimy, Maggie Smith, James Coburn, Michael Jeter, and more. It's adorable and it handily meets its goal of being entertaining. All I can say is that I pity people who have become so jaded, or are so concerned with being cool, that they can't enjoy such a funny and charming film.
And what talent. Whoopi Goldberg, Lauryn Hill, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Kathy Najimy, Maggie Smith, James Coburn, Michael Jeter, and more. It's adorable and it handily meets its goal of being entertaining. All I can say is that I pity people who have become so jaded, or are so concerned with being cool, that they can't enjoy such a funny and charming film.
Still not convinced
one9eighty12 February 2020
Milking the success of the first film, Whoopie is back as casino singer turned sister of the cloth. This times she's "back in the habit" to teach a choir of misfits, turning them into state champions in order to save their run down and in-debt school. This film isn't as good as the first film, which I only rated as passable (just). I guess it's heart-warming, but it's poorly constructed and really does feel like a cheap attempt to get more success from the ideas served up in the first Sister Act film. 4 out of 10.
sequel+star+singers=surprise!
martin-21725 November 2006
such a pleasure, albeit a guilty one! The original wasn't good enough to warrant a sequel. Nonetheless, the choirs are so talented; their acts never get tired no matter how many times this piece re-runs on cable. Whatever her other pros and cons, Whoopi plays to the ensemble in this one, never the scene hog. What a pleasure to see an icon like Maggie Smith so thoroughly and obviously enjoying herself---ditto Mary Wickes, after being such a steadfast fixture of a supporting character on screen for nearly 70 years, her penultimate screen appearance.
and really that's the whole point here isn't it? simple enjoyment, by actors and audience, in a meld of plots so familiar and comfortable, especially at holiday time. Among them--- Hey Kids Let's Put on a Show and Save Grandpa's Farm... Fish Out of Water Makes Good... Stick Together and Win the Big Game...
and really that's the whole point here isn't it? simple enjoyment, by actors and audience, in a meld of plots so familiar and comfortable, especially at holiday time. Among them--- Hey Kids Let's Put on a Show and Save Grandpa's Farm... Fish Out of Water Makes Good... Stick Together and Win the Big Game...
Unoriginal, predictable and not-that funny ... a disappointing sequel ...
ElMaruecan8223 January 2013
In "Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit", the mother of Lauryn Hill's character, disapproves her ambition to become a singer. Was it because she didn't think much of her daughter's skills, or because she saw no future in singing for a girl of her background? Or maybe because she had the same dream at her age and it reminds her of her own failure? In fact, the only reason of the disagreement I could see is because the writer wanted to create a mother-and- daughter conflict, for an obligatory emotional pay-off at the end, when she comes to see her daughter singing and realize she didn't have the right to interfere with her dreams.
There's nothing in the sequel's script that doesn't feel totally artificial. Every plot element is constructed as the upsetting set-up for an uplifting moment. Any person with a minimum of cinematic knowledge, let alone a critic, would see every scene coming a mile away. Starting with the very premise of the film: Sister Mary Clarence, back to a poor class and help students to I don't even need to go on, did you say 'inspirational teacher', 'rude and rebellious students', isn't that one of the oldest and most predictable plots ever? Hello, "To Sir with Love", "Blackboard Jungle", hell even "Rebellious Spirits" two years before with Michelle Pfeiffer should have canceled out any attempt to recycle the plot for the whole 90's decade, and we'd be waiting for the French "Chorus" all the more conventional, but at least better done.
The sin of "Sister Act 2" is not just to reuse a plot "as old as the hills" (quoting Roger Ebert) but to blatantly recycle the plot of the first film, which is to teach music to a group of outcasts in order to help them to achieve one goal. This time, it's more serious because they are all students from slums, but like the nuns, they all have the same great predispositions for singing, and naturally, the most rebellious of all (Lauryn Hill) starts defying Mary Clarence, and is therefore pushed off the group. Were we surprised that she had the most beautiful voice of all? No less or no more than the fact that all the students could sing, and the irony of their learning is that they can go away further with music rather than education.
But the film isn't intelligent enough to question these considerations, and in fact, it doesn't mean much to enumerate all the clichés recycled by the film. I think "Sister Act 2", which is not necessarily a bad movie, could have benefited for a better script, if not plot-wise but line- wise. I mean, the main problem of the film is simply is that it's not funny, not enough anyway. The first film wasn't hilarious but it was enjoyable nonetheless, in the sequel, it's like all the elements that made the original so warm, fun and enjoyable were killed off to make us care for characters that had no originality whatsoever. Nuns? Now that was original. Misfits and outcast students with the whole 'social commentary' undertone, sure, why not, but at least try to leverage the film with a few good laughs.
Even Whoopi Goldberg can hardly save the film, she doesn't even have this little spark, this wisecracking temper to provide the obligatory gags, the youngsters are so banal that they can't replace the nuns in our hearts, and the unforgettable trio of Mary Robert, Patrick and Lazarus is reduced to a simple comic relief level, which is quite frustrating. Which hooks our last hopes to music well, the film contains enough music to be enjoyable for the amateurs of R&B, gospels and maybe rap. Personally, I don't mind music unless it serves the film not the opposite, I'm still waiting for a story, for engaging characters, for surprises, none of that happens. And what's with the overuse of rap in the background, so loud and annoying, it seemed that all the teenagers were rapping when they were supposed to talk.
The whole film has a sort of video clip feeling, something that could have inspired "High School Musical" or "Glee", which is not saying much. It's a film made for the sake of it, fun and entertaining, but original, warm and funny, no? Predictable? Painfully and appallingly predictable, it belongs to the same category of useless sequels such as "Look Who's Talking Too" or "City Slickers 2", once the premise of the first film is assimilated, the only purpose of a sequel is to offer something new or something as funny, if not more. "Sister Act 2" failed in every category. It's not a disaster, it's not totally dull, and the teenagers play quite better than expected but are they aware that they're exploited as stereotypes of outcast students that can only go away with artistic expression.
I have always thought that art could be the perfect escapism and the best way to express one's anger and frustration, but it seems so simple, so automatic in "Sister Act 2" that what was warm and cute in the first became a dangerous misleading caricature in the second, the same that encourage wannabe singers to exploit their background and build a legend out of an inexistent career. Coming from a poor neighborhood, learning the hard way, becomes the obligatory marketing argument to create a sort of success story. See, there is nothing in "Sister Act 2", that is not archetypal.
There's nothing in the sequel's script that doesn't feel totally artificial. Every plot element is constructed as the upsetting set-up for an uplifting moment. Any person with a minimum of cinematic knowledge, let alone a critic, would see every scene coming a mile away. Starting with the very premise of the film: Sister Mary Clarence, back to a poor class and help students to I don't even need to go on, did you say 'inspirational teacher', 'rude and rebellious students', isn't that one of the oldest and most predictable plots ever? Hello, "To Sir with Love", "Blackboard Jungle", hell even "Rebellious Spirits" two years before with Michelle Pfeiffer should have canceled out any attempt to recycle the plot for the whole 90's decade, and we'd be waiting for the French "Chorus" all the more conventional, but at least better done.
The sin of "Sister Act 2" is not just to reuse a plot "as old as the hills" (quoting Roger Ebert) but to blatantly recycle the plot of the first film, which is to teach music to a group of outcasts in order to help them to achieve one goal. This time, it's more serious because they are all students from slums, but like the nuns, they all have the same great predispositions for singing, and naturally, the most rebellious of all (Lauryn Hill) starts defying Mary Clarence, and is therefore pushed off the group. Were we surprised that she had the most beautiful voice of all? No less or no more than the fact that all the students could sing, and the irony of their learning is that they can go away further with music rather than education.
But the film isn't intelligent enough to question these considerations, and in fact, it doesn't mean much to enumerate all the clichés recycled by the film. I think "Sister Act 2", which is not necessarily a bad movie, could have benefited for a better script, if not plot-wise but line- wise. I mean, the main problem of the film is simply is that it's not funny, not enough anyway. The first film wasn't hilarious but it was enjoyable nonetheless, in the sequel, it's like all the elements that made the original so warm, fun and enjoyable were killed off to make us care for characters that had no originality whatsoever. Nuns? Now that was original. Misfits and outcast students with the whole 'social commentary' undertone, sure, why not, but at least try to leverage the film with a few good laughs.
Even Whoopi Goldberg can hardly save the film, she doesn't even have this little spark, this wisecracking temper to provide the obligatory gags, the youngsters are so banal that they can't replace the nuns in our hearts, and the unforgettable trio of Mary Robert, Patrick and Lazarus is reduced to a simple comic relief level, which is quite frustrating. Which hooks our last hopes to music well, the film contains enough music to be enjoyable for the amateurs of R&B, gospels and maybe rap. Personally, I don't mind music unless it serves the film not the opposite, I'm still waiting for a story, for engaging characters, for surprises, none of that happens. And what's with the overuse of rap in the background, so loud and annoying, it seemed that all the teenagers were rapping when they were supposed to talk.
The whole film has a sort of video clip feeling, something that could have inspired "High School Musical" or "Glee", which is not saying much. It's a film made for the sake of it, fun and entertaining, but original, warm and funny, no? Predictable? Painfully and appallingly predictable, it belongs to the same category of useless sequels such as "Look Who's Talking Too" or "City Slickers 2", once the premise of the first film is assimilated, the only purpose of a sequel is to offer something new or something as funny, if not more. "Sister Act 2" failed in every category. It's not a disaster, it's not totally dull, and the teenagers play quite better than expected but are they aware that they're exploited as stereotypes of outcast students that can only go away with artistic expression.
I have always thought that art could be the perfect escapism and the best way to express one's anger and frustration, but it seems so simple, so automatic in "Sister Act 2" that what was warm and cute in the first became a dangerous misleading caricature in the second, the same that encourage wannabe singers to exploit their background and build a legend out of an inexistent career. Coming from a poor neighborhood, learning the hard way, becomes the obligatory marketing argument to create a sort of success story. See, there is nothing in "Sister Act 2", that is not archetypal.
Quite entertaining
bishysbus23 October 2021
The soundtrack is brilliant and performed by some well known names. What let's this movie down is the story. The jokes are terrible (My son says I must have written them) but that's my humour.
It does feel a bit like this was put together as a result of the success of the first film and Sister Act 2 just doesn't hit the same notes, but it is still entertaining and well worth a watch.
The feel good factor comes at the end when the kids are singing 'Joyful, Joyful', the rap of which was written by one of the cast, Ryan Toby. This scene will have you hoping the kids win.
Go on, watch it. You know you want to. Whoopi at her normal chaotic self.
It does feel a bit like this was put together as a result of the success of the first film and Sister Act 2 just doesn't hit the same notes, but it is still entertaining and well worth a watch.
The feel good factor comes at the end when the kids are singing 'Joyful, Joyful', the rap of which was written by one of the cast, Ryan Toby. This scene will have you hoping the kids win.
Go on, watch it. You know you want to. Whoopi at her normal chaotic self.
Desperation time...
moonspinner5529 January 2006
Fairly desperate sequel to 1992's "Sister Act" has one-time lounge singer Whoopi Goldberg now a big attraction in Las Vegas, but called back to the convent by those kooky nuns to help bring order to a school full of rebellious teenagers. Poorly constructed script just begs for a lighter touch, but everything is hammered home. James Coburn looks appropriately puzzled as the proverbial villain of the piece (he wants to shut the school down, and after meeting the students, any audience may come to sympathize with him). Goldberg's mere presence brings a smile, but this is hand-me-down material (much more so than the cookie-cutter first installment) and is completely without merit. *1/2 from ****
Not a bad follow up
view_and_review1 July 2020
Like most sequels that try to capitalize upon the success of their original, "Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit" feels rushed. Not that the movie wasn't decent (it was better than most sequels), it's just that compared to its predecessor it isn't quite what you'd hope for.
So, how did they get Deloris aka Sister Mary Clarence (Whoopi Goldberg) back into a habit and back into the San Francisco convent?
The local Catholic high school, St. Francis, was a failure. The staff of friar and nun teachers could not affect any kind of change in the students nor inspire them to learn. It was "To Sir, With Love" U.S. style (it wasn't quite as bad as "Lean on Me" and not nearly as bad as "Class of 1984" or "The Principal"). If the nuns could convince Deloris to teach the music class, just maybe her presence would bring about an entire culture change at the school.
Deloris stepped in and did what she does. She had some very talented students in her class with Rita Watson (Lauryn Hill) being the most talented.
SA2 had a modernized look, feel, and vibe to it. The musical numbers were outfitted to have a 90's hip-hop and R&B sound. Some of the older numbers were performed as well, but the youngsters added their own flavor to the music they performed. SA2 was not bad as a follow up, but I'm glad they stopped at one sequel.
So, how did they get Deloris aka Sister Mary Clarence (Whoopi Goldberg) back into a habit and back into the San Francisco convent?
The local Catholic high school, St. Francis, was a failure. The staff of friar and nun teachers could not affect any kind of change in the students nor inspire them to learn. It was "To Sir, With Love" U.S. style (it wasn't quite as bad as "Lean on Me" and not nearly as bad as "Class of 1984" or "The Principal"). If the nuns could convince Deloris to teach the music class, just maybe her presence would bring about an entire culture change at the school.
Deloris stepped in and did what she does. She had some very talented students in her class with Rita Watson (Lauryn Hill) being the most talented.
SA2 had a modernized look, feel, and vibe to it. The musical numbers were outfitted to have a 90's hip-hop and R&B sound. Some of the older numbers were performed as well, but the youngsters added their own flavor to the music they performed. SA2 was not bad as a follow up, but I'm glad they stopped at one sequel.
Too Horrible for Words
mnpollio23 January 2007
Warning: Spoilers
I have to admit I truly enjoyed the original Sister Act. Perhaps it is my religious upbringing, but the sight of the nuns being coached by Whoopi Goldberg to integrate do-wop and Motown into their choir music never fails to tickle my funny bone. So it was with great pleasure that I looked forward to the sequel. Unfortunately, there is nary a laugh to be found. The original mined the material of watching the unlikely combination of a sassy Las Vegas wannabe singer inspire the zany cloistered nuns to irreverence. The sequel brings Goldberg back to the fold in a highly unlikely development and in place of the singing nuns we get...singing teens in another stale 'let's put on a show and save the day' scenario. Wow! How original and clever! This story was threadbare in 1930 and there is nothing funny about the kids in question. In fact, they are about as funny as an amputation. Overlooking the fact that there is literally no credible reason for the Goldberg character to leave behind being a Las Vegas headliner to help at a floundering inner city school, one could easily see some comedy being mined from Goldberg tackling the disrespectful teens. Instead, she plays straight man to a gaggle of unfunny kids. There are no classic Whoopi moments and she looks terribly bored. Also, why is she required to go "undercover" to teach these kids and keep her real identity from the male members of the teaching staff? It makes no sense. Nor does the fact that the world in this film seems to have undergone collective amnesia. Despite her character being on the cover of magazines and having entertained the pope in a media event, not only do none of the teens recognize her, but neither do any of the adults nor the male contingencies of the teaching staff. The film does come briefly to life when the nuns from the first film do a cameo number, but the main returnees such as Maggie Smith (I hope she was paid well), Kathy Najimy and Wendy Makkena are irrelevant. Even worse, when the lame-brained singing competition caps the film, you know the show is in trouble when ALL of the competitors seem better than the group you are supposed to be rooting for to win. A total mess akin to having dental surgery without Novacaine.
A great movie that every choir should see!!
leobabe88816 July 2002
I don't care what most people say...I loved this movie!! I thought it was better than the 1st but I can see from reading the other comments not many people agree with me, but that's OK. I'll just be alone in this one. What makes it for me is the teenagers. I love the kids in this movie. Amual makes me crack up every time I watch it and I think Lauryn Hill is fabulous! OK so the ending is very predictable but I think would have been disappointed if they hadn't won. Am I right?! I love watching the ending over and over, or when Amual hits that high note for their first concert. Anyways...I don't see how people don't love this movie, it's so fun and has such a great message! I'd much rather watch teenagers that I can relate to in the sequel than a bunch of old nuns in the 1st Sister Act but that's just me! Guess I'm alone here!
One thing I want to say though regardless of anything is that I think every school choir should show this movie! I'm in the choir at my school and unfortunately we have very little spirit and most people in it don't care very much. I'm going to recommend that we show this movie to my choir teacher. It may not help but it can't hurt. I recommend every choir see this one just to show that a choir can dance and have fun while singing. At least show the ending if nothing else! Ok there's my two cents! Everyone needs to see the movie at least for the music and to have a good time!
I give this movie a 9.5/10!
One thing I want to say though regardless of anything is that I think every school choir should show this movie! I'm in the choir at my school and unfortunately we have very little spirit and most people in it don't care very much. I'm going to recommend that we show this movie to my choir teacher. It may not help but it can't hurt. I recommend every choir see this one just to show that a choir can dance and have fun while singing. At least show the ending if nothing else! Ok there's my two cents! Everyone needs to see the movie at least for the music and to have a good time!
I give this movie a 9.5/10!
A slow starter, but......
budikavlan26 November 2001
Different in many ways from its predecessor, Sister Act II is easy to dismiss as an inferior sequel, but such a cavalier rejection is unfair. The original film was something of a surprise: it put a familiar personality in an unfamiliar situation and had a lot of fun with the juxtaposition. After watching it multiple times on video, I realized that it tailed off somewhat in the second half, as the writers struggled to resolve the thriller elements of the plot. On the whole I still believed it to be a good film, but not a great one. The sequel, on the other hand, seems to have been conceived from the end backward. The second half of the plot is exciting (if familiar) and well-played. The earlier events, setting up the finale, however, leave much to be desired. The tough, inner-city school milieu is as tired as it sounds, and while the young actors playing the teenagers do a fine job, the characters don't take on a life of their own until the movie is over halfway done. When the real plot of the film takes off (as the choir begins to sound like a choir), Sister Act II becomes a fun if unspectacular movie. Whoopi Goldberg remains a familiar, comfortable yet always interesting screen presence. The other nuns and the friars who administer the school with them are underused but entertaining. James Coburn hams it up as the villain, but doesn't seem out of place. The nun choir from the first film puts in a silly appearance singing "Ball of Confusion," but this too doesn't dampen the proceedings. If the filmmakers could have found a way to compress the 45 minutes or so of exposition into a shorter opening, Sister Act II would at least have been as good as the original. As it is, it remains an underappreciated if unspectacular movie.
Break the "Habit"....
Mister-614 October 1999
I hate sequels, but I still watch them in hopes that there will be one that actually is as good or better than the original.
Some are ("Star Wars" sequels, James Bond films, "Godfather" films") but ones like "Sister Act II" are not. It's bad all right, but not in any normal sense. This is bad in its own unique way.
Whereas the original had a sense, style, clarity and humorous thrust all its own, "Sister Act II" goes on a completely different tangent than the original. It abandons the old neighborhood from the first movie, adds a bunch of characters that are introduced then forgotten, there are no references to the cop (Nunn) that helped out Whoopi in the original and aside from Sister Mary Patrick (Najimy, always good for a laugh), everyone looks bored beyond belief.
The sisters are back, there's a lot of music but they had to add a bunch of sitcom kids that would have been more at home on an episode of "Growing Pains" or something produced by Bill Cosby. Even with the palpable talent of Lauryn Hill, singing and acting her heart out, there is little support and little to no laughs.
And Whoopi: I guess any "Sister Act" sequel would have to have her in it by design, but she just seems so weary by the whole idea that she wants to scrunch down into her habit and hide from everybody.
I can't blame her. And there isn't even a Witness Protection program here to help her.
One good line ("We haven't the balls for that!") does not a movie make. And in spite of the high spirits exuded in the END CREDITS (???!?!), it doesn't do too much for a movie that spends its running time taking a nap.
"Sister Act II: Back in the Habit". Not a prayer.
Two stars. One for seeing the nuns again and that end credit number. I think some contrition is in order here.
Some are ("Star Wars" sequels, James Bond films, "Godfather" films") but ones like "Sister Act II" are not. It's bad all right, but not in any normal sense. This is bad in its own unique way.
Whereas the original had a sense, style, clarity and humorous thrust all its own, "Sister Act II" goes on a completely different tangent than the original. It abandons the old neighborhood from the first movie, adds a bunch of characters that are introduced then forgotten, there are no references to the cop (Nunn) that helped out Whoopi in the original and aside from Sister Mary Patrick (Najimy, always good for a laugh), everyone looks bored beyond belief.
The sisters are back, there's a lot of music but they had to add a bunch of sitcom kids that would have been more at home on an episode of "Growing Pains" or something produced by Bill Cosby. Even with the palpable talent of Lauryn Hill, singing and acting her heart out, there is little support and little to no laughs.
And Whoopi: I guess any "Sister Act" sequel would have to have her in it by design, but she just seems so weary by the whole idea that she wants to scrunch down into her habit and hide from everybody.
I can't blame her. And there isn't even a Witness Protection program here to help her.
One good line ("We haven't the balls for that!") does not a movie make. And in spite of the high spirits exuded in the END CREDITS (???!?!), it doesn't do too much for a movie that spends its running time taking a nap.
"Sister Act II: Back in the Habit". Not a prayer.
Two stars. One for seeing the nuns again and that end credit number. I think some contrition is in order here.
Sequels Don't Suck. Amen.
David, Film Freak3 March 2001
When the Nun's get sick of the unruly behaviour the kids display during school, and the lack of work that is being done, Mother Superior (Maggie Smith) calls upon Sister Mary Clarence, Deloris Van Cartier for help. So she's goin' back to the convent. She's gettin' back into that uniform, and, she's gettin' back in the habit!
While there, Mary Clarence (Whoopi Goldberg) manages to transform the music class of non-listening, no attention-paying roudy little snots into a magical choir with voices of gold. It is here, that they decide to enter the regional championships for school singing (or something along those lines).
However, one girl in particular, once a drop-out, with an awesome voice (played brilliantly by Fugee's frontwoman Lauryn Hill), is not intially allowed to go. Her mother (played by another R 'N' B singer Sheryl Lee Ralph, also from 'Moesha') will not allow her to. So she forges her signature and they head off to the championships.
Jennifer Love Hewitt stars here, as one of the singing kids from the music class (bearing in mind, that she has since released 3 albums). Wendy Makkena and Kathy Najimy reprise their roles as two of the most-mentioned Nuns.
Once again, Whoopi manages to pull off another great movie, without a great deal of trouble. Lot's of fun, but I enjoyed the first one, just a little bit more. 7./10
While there, Mary Clarence (Whoopi Goldberg) manages to transform the music class of non-listening, no attention-paying roudy little snots into a magical choir with voices of gold. It is here, that they decide to enter the regional championships for school singing (or something along those lines).
However, one girl in particular, once a drop-out, with an awesome voice (played brilliantly by Fugee's frontwoman Lauryn Hill), is not intially allowed to go. Her mother (played by another R 'N' B singer Sheryl Lee Ralph, also from 'Moesha') will not allow her to. So she forges her signature and they head off to the championships.
Jennifer Love Hewitt stars here, as one of the singing kids from the music class (bearing in mind, that she has since released 3 albums). Wendy Makkena and Kathy Najimy reprise their roles as two of the most-mentioned Nuns.
Once again, Whoopi manages to pull off another great movie, without a great deal of trouble. Lot's of fun, but I enjoyed the first one, just a little bit more. 7./10
This is the worst movie EVER.
speedny719 May 2003
My God, this movie is horrible. Its not funny. Its not clever. Its not even original. Its just more Whoopi Goldberg getting shoved down our throats. I hope no one actually spent money to see this piece of trash. While I think the original "Sister Act" movie was actually decent, I can't believe that a movie this bad was actually made. Then again, I can't believe a lot of Whoopi's movies were actually made.
Predictable, but overall entertaining
SofiaHedge7 September 2020
This movie can never measure up to its more superior predecessor, but this movie does not deserve as much hate as it gets. The plot was predictable, but the acting and storytelling was decent, not to mention the dialogue was great. So give this movie a chance. It's not as bad as people say it is.
Very Offensive, Poor Sequel
ccthemovieman-125 May 2007
As with many sequels, this doesn't measure up to the original. In fact, I found this film - as opposed to the first one - very offensive. Of course, my beliefs had changed since first viewing "Sister Act." However, this film definitely irreverent.
There are many irreverent remarks made throughout this film made by a number of people who just take the credibility of a real Believer to task. Yeah, the nuns are still "good guys," but don't fool yourself: there's a lot of secular bias in this script. Nobody in here, including all the Catholics, takes Christianity with an seriousness. Hey, if Hollywood takes it as a joke, it wants everyone to do the same. That seems to be the message of this movie.
Also, as in many sequels they took a part of something that worked, and then overdid it the second time. In this case, it's Kathy Nijimy's role. She was cute and bubbly in a minor role in the original, got recognized for her performance and now has much bigger part. Unfortunately, they overdid all that giggling to the point where the woman is downright annoying.
There are many irreverent remarks made throughout this film made by a number of people who just take the credibility of a real Believer to task. Yeah, the nuns are still "good guys," but don't fool yourself: there's a lot of secular bias in this script. Nobody in here, including all the Catholics, takes Christianity with an seriousness. Hey, if Hollywood takes it as a joke, it wants everyone to do the same. That seems to be the message of this movie.
Also, as in many sequels they took a part of something that worked, and then overdid it the second time. In this case, it's Kathy Nijimy's role. She was cute and bubbly in a minor role in the original, got recognized for her performance and now has much bigger part. Unfortunately, they overdid all that giggling to the point where the woman is downright annoying.
Not bad for a sequel
Boyo-219 December 2000
I am normally anti-sequel for any movie at all, even if I like the original. I just think that its cashing in on a sure thing, and its the height of laziness, and on top of everything else, 95% of them have no business existing.
This one is not exactly enough to make me re-think my position, but this movie has a lot going for it and is not an offensive rip-off of the first. The story goes in a different direction and although its as obvious as the sky how it will all end up (unless you've never seen another movie in your life), I still like it very much. I like choir singing, and the last twenty minutes contain some beautiful voices and songs.
None of the actors look embarrassed to be there, which of course is a great thing, and Whoopi's effortless performance anchors the movie. Look for Jennifer Love Hewitt as a student, who is curiously absent from the dance numbers. Brad Sullivan, Michael Jeter and Barnard Hughes are some of the comic relief, and Kathy Najimy and Maggie Smith are back as well.
Stick around for all the closing credits to hear Aretha Franklin singing "Deeper Love", which is a great great song.
This one is not exactly enough to make me re-think my position, but this movie has a lot going for it and is not an offensive rip-off of the first. The story goes in a different direction and although its as obvious as the sky how it will all end up (unless you've never seen another movie in your life), I still like it very much. I like choir singing, and the last twenty minutes contain some beautiful voices and songs.
None of the actors look embarrassed to be there, which of course is a great thing, and Whoopi's effortless performance anchors the movie. Look for Jennifer Love Hewitt as a student, who is curiously absent from the dance numbers. Brad Sullivan, Michael Jeter and Barnard Hughes are some of the comic relief, and Kathy Najimy and Maggie Smith are back as well.
Stick around for all the closing credits to hear Aretha Franklin singing "Deeper Love", which is a great great song.
Sister Act 2
random_avenger9 January 2011
The music-filled 1992 comedy hit Sister Act was a positive surprise both financially and quality-wise but that does not mean the inevitable sequel would be any good, of course. Directed by Bill Duke, Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit tries to introduce a few new elements into the familiar premise, some of them successful, others not.
Some time after the events of the first movie, Deloris Van Cartier (still played by Whoopi Goldberg) has returned to lounge singing and headlines a popular show in Las Vegas. When her old friends from the nun convent pay her a visit and ask her to help them with their work at a financially struggling high school, she cannot let them down and agrees to become the school's new music teacher. The students are unruly, the administrator Mr. Crisp (James Coburn) is uptight and the school is under risk of being closed down but luckily Deloris (a.k.a. Sister Mary Clarence) knows that the power of music is never to be underestimated.
The movie starts energetically with one of Deloris' Vegas performances that catchily recounts the events of the previous movie. It is also pleasant to see that Wendy Makkena, Kathy Najimy and Maggie Smith return in the roles of Deloris' fellow nuns and that this time there are also monks present among the school's staff. Contrary to the first movie that dealt more with the other nuns, this time the comedy is for the most part based on Deloris' interaction with her new rebellious students who prefer freestyle rapping to gospel choirs. I wonder if rap music had more of a novelty value in mainstream entertainment in 1993 than it does in 2011 because seeing it now, I was left hoping for more actual songs instead of brief sessions of verbal rhyme battles and tough talking.
During the latter half the music finally gets going and we hear fun songs like the funky "Get Up Offa That Thing / Dancing in the Street" and the final choir performances ("Joyful, Joyful") near the end. The end credit version of "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" performed by various cast members all together belongs among the most entertaining moments of the film as well. However, the movie is not really a musical and should also be judged by merits other than the soundtrack. On this front it is not very successful, in my opinion. The plot is extremely predictable, the noisy kids are annoying and the funniest characters (like the eccentric monks) are not paid enough attention. Fans of Lauryn Hill will surely be interested in her breakthrough performance as a young discouraged singer Rita Watson but I was not too big a fan of the ballads she sings here. More cheery songs like the first movie's "Shout" are what Sister Act 2 would have needed.
Setting the plot in a school makes sure the story does not repeat the first movie's ideas too obviously but I wish they had used the different environment for something less predictable than just another tale of a new teacher cleaning up a rundown school by inspiring troubled kids to believe in themselves. I guess that if you absolutely loved the first movie, there is no reason why you would not like the sequel too (at least moderately) but generally speaking, I do not think Sister Act 2 is very good film. It seriously lacks the will to deviate from the tried and true patterns of comedy conventions and failed to make me laugh or even smile, unlike the original film that featured better songs and antagonists. You might as well save your time and watch the music clips on YouTube or something; the rest is pretty skippable.
Some time after the events of the first movie, Deloris Van Cartier (still played by Whoopi Goldberg) has returned to lounge singing and headlines a popular show in Las Vegas. When her old friends from the nun convent pay her a visit and ask her to help them with their work at a financially struggling high school, she cannot let them down and agrees to become the school's new music teacher. The students are unruly, the administrator Mr. Crisp (James Coburn) is uptight and the school is under risk of being closed down but luckily Deloris (a.k.a. Sister Mary Clarence) knows that the power of music is never to be underestimated.
The movie starts energetically with one of Deloris' Vegas performances that catchily recounts the events of the previous movie. It is also pleasant to see that Wendy Makkena, Kathy Najimy and Maggie Smith return in the roles of Deloris' fellow nuns and that this time there are also monks present among the school's staff. Contrary to the first movie that dealt more with the other nuns, this time the comedy is for the most part based on Deloris' interaction with her new rebellious students who prefer freestyle rapping to gospel choirs. I wonder if rap music had more of a novelty value in mainstream entertainment in 1993 than it does in 2011 because seeing it now, I was left hoping for more actual songs instead of brief sessions of verbal rhyme battles and tough talking.
During the latter half the music finally gets going and we hear fun songs like the funky "Get Up Offa That Thing / Dancing in the Street" and the final choir performances ("Joyful, Joyful") near the end. The end credit version of "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" performed by various cast members all together belongs among the most entertaining moments of the film as well. However, the movie is not really a musical and should also be judged by merits other than the soundtrack. On this front it is not very successful, in my opinion. The plot is extremely predictable, the noisy kids are annoying and the funniest characters (like the eccentric monks) are not paid enough attention. Fans of Lauryn Hill will surely be interested in her breakthrough performance as a young discouraged singer Rita Watson but I was not too big a fan of the ballads she sings here. More cheery songs like the first movie's "Shout" are what Sister Act 2 would have needed.
Setting the plot in a school makes sure the story does not repeat the first movie's ideas too obviously but I wish they had used the different environment for something less predictable than just another tale of a new teacher cleaning up a rundown school by inspiring troubled kids to believe in themselves. I guess that if you absolutely loved the first movie, there is no reason why you would not like the sequel too (at least moderately) but generally speaking, I do not think Sister Act 2 is very good film. It seriously lacks the will to deviate from the tried and true patterns of comedy conventions and failed to make me laugh or even smile, unlike the original film that featured better songs and antagonists. You might as well save your time and watch the music clips on YouTube or something; the rest is pretty skippable.
Not as good as the original, but still entertaining
TheLittleSongbird9 March 2011
Sister Act 2:Back in the Habit is not as good as the original, but it is still entertaining compared to the disaster it could have been. It is not as well thought-out in the plot, the direction is lacking a tad, and the film does start off rather slowly.
Thankfully though it does pick up, and the latter half almost equals the best parts of the original. The cinematography and production values are excellent and the script is funny and charming. Whoopi Goldberg once again has fun in her role, Maggie Smith once again is a welcome presence, the music is joyful and upbeat and the nuns are as infectious as ever.
All in all, an entertaining sequel. 7/10 Bethany Cox
Thankfully though it does pick up, and the latter half almost equals the best parts of the original. The cinematography and production values are excellent and the script is funny and charming. Whoopi Goldberg once again has fun in her role, Maggie Smith once again is a welcome presence, the music is joyful and upbeat and the nuns are as infectious as ever.
All in all, an entertaining sequel. 7/10 Bethany Cox
It's not the most horrible movie out there
ericstevenson20 June 2018
I was surprised to find out that this only has a rating of 7% on RottenTomatoes. I admit that it's definitely bad, but not flat out horrendous. This sequel features Whoopi Goldberg becoming a teacher. The film is mostly brought down by all the clichés. We get the contest that they need to save the school. We get the outcast girl who helps them in the end.
It's just nothing interesting. I will admit that it's nice to have such a charismatic person like Whoopi Goldberg back in her role. Comedy sequels are in fact rarely good. Well, I personally loved "22 Jump Street". The songs are also pretty good. It's just something you can skip. **
It's just nothing interesting. I will admit that it's nice to have such a charismatic person like Whoopi Goldberg back in her role. Comedy sequels are in fact rarely good. Well, I personally loved "22 Jump Street". The songs are also pretty good. It's just something you can skip. **
Excellent comedy about sticking together
Catherine_Grace_Zeh23 November 2005
SISTER ACT 2: BACK IN THE HABIT, in my opinion, is an excellent comedy about sticking together. It really made me feel good and smile, especially when Deloris (Whoopi Goldberg) performed her solo act at the beginning of the movie. Also, the soundtrack is really good, too. The best things about it, in my opinion, are the musical number. My favorite song of the movie would have to be either "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" or the St. Francis Academy's rendition of "Joyful, Joyful." In conclusion, if you like Whoopi Goldberg films, I highly recommend this movie. You're in for a good time and lots of laughs, so see this movie today.
Pretty good Whoopi Goldberg Sequel.
OllieSuave-00710 March 2014
This is a pretty good comedy starring Whoopi Goldberg as Reno lounge singer Deloris Van Cartier, who duns the habit once again when sisters Mary Patrick, Mary Robert and Mary Lazarus ask her to teach music to a group of unruly students at a Catholic School. And, to make matters worst, the school is slated for closure.
Goldberg gave another comedic and strong performance as Sister Mary Clarence, and her trying to crack the whip on her rowdy music class and teach the students to take responsibility for their education and well-being are touching and an important moral for the story. And, the subplots about school chief Mr. Crisp (James Coburn) attempting to make sure the school closes so he could go onto an early comfortable retirement, and about music student Rita Wilson (Lauryn Hill) being forbidden to sing by her mother are an interesting twist to the story that are interwoven to the plot very well.
I enjoyed seeing a number of songs performed by the music students, especially their take on "Oh Happy Day" - a catchy and stirring song. I could have live without some of the kids trying to overly act ghetto, like the Frankie character. And, it would have been great to see Jennifer "Love" Hewitt given more screen time and dialog, as she would go on to be a much more recognizable actor than the other student characters.
Overall, not as good as the first film, but still definitely worth a watch.
Grade B
Goldberg gave another comedic and strong performance as Sister Mary Clarence, and her trying to crack the whip on her rowdy music class and teach the students to take responsibility for their education and well-being are touching and an important moral for the story. And, the subplots about school chief Mr. Crisp (James Coburn) attempting to make sure the school closes so he could go onto an early comfortable retirement, and about music student Rita Wilson (Lauryn Hill) being forbidden to sing by her mother are an interesting twist to the story that are interwoven to the plot very well.
I enjoyed seeing a number of songs performed by the music students, especially their take on "Oh Happy Day" - a catchy and stirring song. I could have live without some of the kids trying to overly act ghetto, like the Frankie character. And, it would have been great to see Jennifer "Love" Hewitt given more screen time and dialog, as she would go on to be a much more recognizable actor than the other student characters.
Overall, not as good as the first film, but still definitely worth a watch.
Grade B
A Feel Good Movie
mustican10 November 2005
It wouldn't be fair to call Sister Act 2: Back In The Habit, a great movie. But it's not bad either. This is the kind you can watch to relax. It is definitely not the type you need to think over much at all. Simply just watch and go. Easy to watch, easy to forget. This time she is called in for help to sort out a school which is full with troubled teenagers. Mother Superior needs her help to communicate with those kids. Dolores Van Cartier accepts the offer involuntarily and becomes a sister again. This time she has a difficult task but while we watch the film we see that nothing is that difficult for our lovely sister Clarence.Sister Mary Clarence and the other sisters are all very much likable characters and are all back in the habit!!!Enjoy it. ** out of *****
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