Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit (1993)

I usually don't like to criticize a sequel before the opening movie, but I decided to make an exception because I watched the first movie years ago and intend to re-watch it as soon as I can. After revving up a nunnery in the first film, singer Deloris Van Cartier is called back by the nuns to help them to prevent the closure of a Franciscan high school by taking up the position of music teacher. The film retained much of the original cast, and it was nice to see the most charismatic and funny nuns of the first convent in a different setting. The script is absolutely predictable, and we instantly realized much of the story, but that wasn't a problem for me because it didn't prevent it from being funny and entertaining.Whoopi Goldberg is the star and she carried the film on her back to the end, with coolness and professionalism. I don't know how much she liked to do this character but the fact is that she deserved the applause and behaved like a pro. The same can be said of Maggie Smith, a notable actress who gave us the Mother Superior. Kathy Najimy, Wendy Makkena, Mary Wickes, Barnard Hughes, Lauryn Hill and Ryan Toby also deserve the congratulations for the work they have done."Sister Act 2" is far from the impact and magic of the first film, and that's certainly why it has always been messed up by criticism. But we cannot go so far as to say that it's entirely bad. There are quality values here, the main one being the ability the film still possesses to entertain the audience and not make us regret having watched it. And this movie, from the moment it's a comedy, is all about being funny and entertaining. It's not supposed to be a work of art nor the movie of our lives, but just make us laugh, and if its true that it cannot get us laughing out loud, it will definitely make us smile.

I watch this movie every so often to put a big smile on my face. Outwitting It's fun...sometimes slapstick...and the music is terrific...upbeat, with some positive rapping. It makes me so happy. Maggie Smith...Lauryn Hill (her song is so moving)...James Coburn (appropriately villainous)...Sheryl Lee Ralph ... enjoyable performances...family fun.

Did the original Sister Act need a sequel? Probably not but the success of the first one meant that the inevitable sequel was made in 1993.And to the credit of everyone involved it's not that bad and proves and enjoyable way to spend 90 minutes. While the story isn't really that strong and the first 30 minutes are a little manic as the director tries to re-establish the characters, the story and the reason for Goldberg going back in disguise (because, let's face it, that's what audiences want to see.And so begins a film that has some good moments of comedy and music. It's not as good as the first but then again most sequels aren't. The main thing is that this film doesn't tarnish the reputation of the first and shows again that nuns can be funny.

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.