Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit (PG)

Harmless, silly tale with vibrant music and dance.

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Common Sense rates it
2
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Movie details
  • Studio: Touchstone Pictures
  • Directed By: Bill Duke
  • Cast: Whoopi Goldberg, Maggie Smith, Kathy Najimy
  • Running Time: 107 minutes
  • Release Date: 12/10/1993
  • Video/DVD Release Date: 01/18/2000
  • Genre: Comedy
  • MPAA Rating: PG
  • MPAA Explanation: some mild language

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that this sequel is even milder than the first movie with no violence or sexual content and just a few minor swear words. Conflict and intrigue are provided by a conspiracy of four well-meaning but rather dim nuns in their efforts to save a high school. They plot to pass off a Las Vegas singer as a music teacher and member of their religious order. The fraud they commit is thus shown to be "on the side of the angels."

Families can talk about how many different people learn lessons in this movie. In what ways do the kids support one another? What do they learn from Sister Mary Clarence? How does the movie show that one person can make a significant difference? Why do you think the filmmakers decided to blend hymns, rap music, and rock? Were they successful?

Message

Social Behavior:

Lots of positive messages about the importance of school and the value of full participation in life. Teens learn lessons about follow-through and commitment. Praiseworthy view of a successfully integrated inner city high school. In a relatively benign way, leading characters lie to their superiors to reach their goals. On two occasions, reckless driving is played for comedic effect.

Consumerism:

One mention of Jenny Craig

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Violence

Sex

Language

Infrequent, mild: "hell," "ass," "crap," "Jesus Christ."

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Renee Schonfeld

SISTER ACT 2: BACK IN THE HABIT reunites the hip, fast-talking, heart-of-gold Las Vegas singer, Deloris Van Cartier (Whoopi Goldberg) with the good-hearted nuns from the original Sister Act. The nuns desperately need Deloris' talent and smarts to inspire the joyless, unmotivated students in their San Francisco parochial high school. Deloris thus finds herself once again masquerading as Sister Mary Clarence, just as St. Francis School is about to be shut down. Will Sister Mary Clarence be able to uncover the amazing hidden talent in her classroom of underachievers? Will that talent soar in a state competition and save the school?

Is it any good?

2
Foregoing the mobster-themed, witness-protection angle of the original comic Sister Act, this sequel is crime-free, villain-free and, unfortunately, comparatively comedy-free. The story moves along with the thinnest of plots (most complications are based on convenient eavesdropping or obvious misunderstanding). Trite characters find themselves in trite situations.

Whoopi Goldberg's energy and enjoyment, however, are contagious. And the wide variety of music, performed with zest and sparkle by the young performers, at least makes the movie watchable. (Lauryn Hill, before her breakout success with The Fugees and then as a solo artist, is the lead student-singer.)

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What do your kids do online?
Surf
34%
Homework and research
19%
Download music
10%
Chat with friends
37%
132 votes