Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit (1993)

Just perfect...

I'll tell you why so serious

Good movie, but best of all time? Hardly . . .

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

Of course it is a formula. It was 1993, remember 1993. It's Andy Hardy dates Sister Mary Clarence with James Coburn as a villain. And who cares? 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. Then there is possibly the best credit run ever at the film's conclusion. Plus you look at the young cast and think isn't that Jennifer Love Hewitt or Lauryn Hill? Older audiences will recognize Barnard Hughes, Mary Wickes, Michael Jeter, and Dame Maggie Smith the Dowager Countess of Grantham.There is nothing bad about just admitting you were entertained and felt good as the credits roll on. I wish Whoopi had stayed with film and Broadway. To this day I remember her one woman show on Broadway which was later broadcast as an HBO special. What a talented woman. I know it's PC to say "person" or "actor," but I don't care; Whoopi Goldberg is a great entertainer and I can't understand why we can't accept and acknowledge she is a woman. Her performances over the years have made me cry and laugh such that I thought I would burst.Know what, just go to Apple or Amazon, rent the movie. Sit back with some popcorn and prepare to laugh and clap and maybe even dance to the signing. I bet you hit IMDb to see what else Whoopi was in that you missed.

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.

Deloris van Cartier (Whoopi Goldberg) is headlining in her own show in Vegas. Sisters Mary Patrick (Kathy Najimy), Mary Robert and Mary Lazarus attend her show. Mother Superior (Maggie Smith) had sent them to retrieve her to teach music in St. Francis High School. She agrees becoming Sister Mary Clarence once again. The school is run by Father Maurice with math teacher Father Ignatius, Latin teacher Father Thomas and the cook Father Wolfgang who only makes bratwurst. The rambunctious class includes leader Rita Watson (Lauryn Hill), brown-noser Tyler Chase, new Muslim Ahmal, white rapper Frank-Hey, graffiti artist Sketch, Margaret (Jennifer Love Hewitt) and Maria (Alanna Ubach). She discovers that the school is being closed by the end of the semester.The premise makes no sense. It's obvious that this is a movie driving for a young cast and the returning characters led by Whoopi. The premise is a simple excuse to get the movie there. Once there, the music is good. The young cast has a few standouts and a couple of familiar stars in their early years. The returning actors are great. However, the story is flat and lacks any freshness.

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