Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit

Plot synopsis:
Sisters Mary Patrick (Kathy Najimy), Mary Robert (Wendy Makkena), and Mary Lazarus (Mary Wickes) attend the final performance of Deloris van Cartier (Whoopi Goldberg) at a Las Vegas theater, depicting her escapades at the nuns' convent in the previous film. Afterwards, the Sisters ask Deloris for her assistance once again. Reuniting with Reverend Mother (Maggie Smith), Deloris learns the nuns now work as teachers at St. Francis Academy in San Francisco, a school Deloris herself had attended, which is facing closure if the administrator Mr. Crisp (James Coburn) convinces the local diocese to agree. Deloris agrees, though reluctantly, to help teach the music class, once again taking on her persona as Sister Mary Clarence. She meets the monks who also work at the school, including principal Father Maurice (Barnard Hughes), math teacher Father Ignatius (Michael Jeter), grouchy Latin teacher Father Thomas (Brad Sullivan), and the cook Father Wolfgang (Thomas Gottschalk).
Mary Clarence attempts her first lessons in the music class, finding the students unruly and rude. Among the students is the ringleader Rita Louise Watson (Lauryn Hill), preachy Ahmal (Ryan Toby), white rap artist Frank-Hey (Devin Kamin), Graffiti artist Sketch (Ron Johnson) who sleeps a lot due to heavy work, fashionable Margaret (Jennifer Love Hewitt), and insecure Maria (Alanna Ubach).
Upon learning the school will close at the conclusion of the current term, Mary Clarence rallies the nuns and monks to find a way to improve the school to keep it open. Like the Reverend Mother before him, Father Maurice finds himself in a conflict with Mary Clarence and her "radical" ways, but Mother Superior reminds Father Maurice that the term "radical" was once applied to them in their day, and reassures him that Mary Clarence's presence will help. Mary Clarence finally dawns a new day and properly takes control of her class, instituting strict rules and prompting Rita to walk out defeated after her failed attempts to get her friends to boycott the class. When the class breaks out in spontaneous singing, showing their true potential, Mary Clarence decides to turn the class into a choir. At first, the class is skeptical, but change their minds when finding out the school will close.
When Mary Robert finds Rita singing before a friend (Tanya Blount), she and Mary Clarence convince her to return to classes. The class rebuilds the music room themselves and becomes a successful choir under Mary Clarence's guidance, with Rita returning to become a lead singer alongside Ahmal. The choir performs a practice run before the school and receives a standing ovation. Afterward, when the nuns find trophies amid the dust and grime which reveal that the school had repeatedly won the all-state choir championship before, sometimes for several consecutive years, Mary Robert wonders whether they still hold the competition or not.
Finding in the affirmative, the nuns enter the choir in the contest behind Mary Clarence's back, who is then tasked with getting Father Maurice's reluctant permission; he gives them his blessing as long as they raise the money themselves and get parental consent from each student. However, Rita's strict mother Florence (Sheryl Lee Ralph) refuses to let her daughter attend, believing a career in music to be a dead end after her late husband was a failed musician who died trying to make a name for himself. Rita rebels, forging her mother's signature on the parental consent form to follow her dreams, leaving her mother an apologetic letter. Shortly after the choir leaves, Mr. Crisp discovers Mary Clarence is no nun and convinces Father Maurice to withdraw them from the competition. The monks overhear and race after the choir bus with the nuns and kids, hampered by Father Thomas's reckless driving.
At the championship, the choir is intimidated by the competition and considers quitting, but they change their mind after Mary Clarence sternly lectures them, reminding them how far they have already come. In the midst of all this, the monks arrive and Father Maurice appears to inform the choir of his decision, but flabbergasted by the choir's robes and newfound enthusiasm, changes his mind and allows them to go on stage. The other monks lock Mr. Crisp in a closet to prevent him from revealing Mary Clarence's true identity to the representatives of the diocese who had come to the competition before the kids have a chance to sing.
Rita arrives on stage, briefly getting stage fright when she spots her mother in the audience, but leads the choir into an urban contemporary gospel rendition of "Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee", with hip hop-inspired choreography. The choir ultimately wins the championship, and the diocese representatives, who are impressed by the choir's performance, allow the school to remain open. By this time, Crisp has freed himself from the closet and is about to spill the beans to the Diocesan administration when they give the shocked administrator a promotion (against his wishes) when Reverend Mother makes it look like he came up with the idea to attend the competition himself. Florence apologizes to Rita and tells her that she is proud of her, and Mary Clarence tells the kids that she is not a Las Vegas showgirl, but a headliner. And the film closes with a rousing rendition of "Ain't No Mountain High Enough".

Tags: prank

Review:
Whoopi Goldberg, Lauryn Hill, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Kathy Najimy, Maggie Smith, James Coburn, Michael Jeter, and more.
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!
It really made me feel good and smile, especially when Deloris (Whoopi Goldberg) performed her solo act at the beginning of the movie.
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.
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.
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).
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 .
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.
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 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 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".
The original Sister Act was hilarious, great and just awesome but when Whoopi Goldberg did the sequel she just topped her first performance.
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.
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.
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.
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.
With Sister Act 2: Back In The Habit Whoopi Goldberg is back as a faux nun who gets a request from Mother Superior Maggie Smith from the first Sister Act to go back undercover to help save a Catholic School run by the Catholic brothers headed in this case by Barnard Hughes.
James Coburn is hardly anything like the lovable Henry Travers as Mr. Bogardus in The Bells Of St. Mary's and has to be dealt with differently.If you bring Whoopi back you surely have to give her that lovable posse she formed from the first Sister Act. Kathy Najimy, Wendy Makkena and the lovable veteran Mary Wickes have all returned as well.The music is the best part of this film especially Lauryn Hill who is the centerpiece of that choir.
Lauryn's scenes with Sheryl Ralph playing her mother who thinks her music aspirations are foolish are quite tender and real.The element of personal danger for Whoopi is not present in the sequel, it's lighter and at times a bit silly.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Although it lacked the charm of the original movie, it had a different kind of quaint charm, the way Goldberg acted out the touching bond between Sister Mary Clarence and her music pupils.
I think Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit is a good sequel.
Whoopi Goldberg saves the day again as Sister Mary Clarence (Deloris) when she is asked to help out the nuns from the first movie.
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.
Before you rent this sequel to the 1992 classic, you should be aware that this is not nearly as good nor nearly as funny as the original SISTER ACT film.
It's still an entertaining film and it's better the most of the other movies Whoopi Goldberg has been in during the past few years.
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.
Sister Mary Clarence (Whoopi Goldberg) is temporarily wedged out of her Las Vegas contract for no good reason to an inner city high school, supposedly to teach music to underprivileged kids as a nun.
On top of this ridiculous premise, the story has to survive a subplot involving an obstinate mother, Florence Watson (music diva Sheryl Lee Ralph who was so personable in The Distinguished  Gentleman (1992)) opposing the singing of Rita (Lauryn Hill), the young heroine of Sister Act2.
If allowed to be developed as first intended, the movie might have had the same reception as the original (and created a second possible franchise); but unfortunately Sister Act2 only had one studio purpose:- to be a sequel.
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.
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.
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, 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.
Both bring back lots of great memories of when I directed a Spanish choir at my church when I was in high school (gosh) twenty years ago.The music is fun, and yes the plot can be a little sappy at times.
This time, the groovy lounge singer/erstwhile nun Sister Mary Clarence (the same ol' Whoopi Goldberg) has to help save a failing Catholic school.
Like SISTER ACT before it, this movie is funny and uplifting at the same time.
While this film definitely took a different tone from the first "Sister Act", it was still and funny, yet heartwarming and had a good plot.
This time, Delores Van Cartier (Whoopi Goldberg) travels to her Sisters' aid when she is asked to teach a music class at the school they teach in.
I'm sure I've seen it a dozen times and it nevergets old.I like most everything that Whoopi has done and this movie is noexception.It's not real cerebral, but it's fun, the music is wonderful and the"message", as cliché as it might be, is still vital.I'd like to see a second sequel.
This film is excellent, the sequel to the original Sister Act. As with the first, Whoopi Goldberg takes centre stage as a singer who is called to help the nuns, led by Mother Superior, expertly played by the excellent Maggie Smith.This singer-turned-nun is taken to a school whose future is gone, as it is soon to be finished, but had a rich heritage in singing, which Whoopi intends to reinstate.Following these events are many laughs, a few tears and a feeling of well being at the end.
Whoopi, Maggie Smith, and BIG D (played by Cathy Najimy) return with a few new faces like Lauren Hill, Jennifer Love Hewitt, and some other kids.
Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit, is one of those movies that makes you enjoy and relax and moved at the same time..fantastic voices, a nice, and easygoing story and a whoopi goldberg, as charming and funny as ever.
Whoopi Goldberg's character Dolores agrees to go back undercover as a nun while she teaches a class with the rest of the sisters at an inner city school that is about to be closed.
Sister Act 2 is a great movie!Funny,interesting and very enjoyable.It's not a piece of art but you have great songs people that was beginning in their carrears like Lauryn Hill and Jennifer Love Hewwit.I loved the soundtrack.Go watch this movie expecting to see wonderfull music moments.Buy it or rent it!Co's it worths watching!.
This sequel to the sucess of "Sister Act" returns Whoopi Goldberg as Mary Clarence !But this time , the nuns have opened a school.
The main plot is how are the nuns going to save the school!!This movie is great if you like Whoopi Goldberg , or the film's soudtrack!!Also why is the DVD not coming out?The sequel is very close to the original , most of the original nuns return!!It is a cool movie if you Whoopi or the soundtrack!!!.
However, unlike many sequels in this vein, this does not completely ruining the movie idea, it does weaken it, but not so much as to make it a bad movie.Whoopi Goldberg dons the habit again to save her old school from closure by teaching music, and turning her class of rebellious teenagers, including a young incarnation of the now music superstar Lauryn Hill, into the best choir in the state.The music sequences are still superb, and the script and storyline, while predictable, are still entertaining enough to carry you through.If you already own the original, don't bother getting this one, but do rent it because it is still an OK movie in itself..
A lot of people feel its bad, but I think people were looking for a second Sister Act, and other than seeing some of our favorite characters again, it doesn't come close to being the same movie, but that's ok.
Just as entertaining as the original movie with fantastic music,a brilliant cast and an incredibly entertaining plot!!This time around Deloris(Whoopi Goldberg) joins the Sisters (Maggie Smith, Kathy Najimy and Wendy Makkena) teaching staff at st Francis High School and turns a group of unruly, rowdy "students from hell" (Lauryn Hill, Ryan Toby and Jenifer Love Hewitt are included) into a hip - hop, gospel choir from heaven.Leading them in song and a phrase "If you wanna be somebody.
But near the end, you realize you're watching a dull yet funny and sometimes a little bit hart warming sequel to a movie that looks just like it where the main thing is singing.
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.
Whoopi Goldberg,although a good actress and is funny, is dull in this film as a woman who is again asked to don the nun's drab to teach choir to a bunch ofmis-fit run of the mill clichéd kids at a Catholic school.
This sequel picks up with Whoopi having left the convent at the end of the first movie to be a Las Vegas headline singer this time, who is immediately visited by her nun friends from the earlier film in Vegas where she performs.
This film helps people remember how much fun Whoopi Goldberg could be and there are some wonderful music numbers that will get you moving and feeling good.
She asks Deloris if she would help teach music to students at the run-down parochial school, and knowing that the nuns helped her get more success, she agrees to don the habit again to become Sister Mary Clarence.