The original Coming to America was a pleasant but inessential fish out of water comedy. I’m usually wary of belated sequels (the movie pokes fun at them as well), but this one turned out far better than I ever expected. Hiring the director of Dolemite is My Name, Craig Brewer was a smart decision. In that film, he got the best out of Eddie Murphy, not to mention the ensemble cast. Here, with a broader canvas, he is able to juggle a lot of subplots, thematic material, musical numbers, and still deliver something that feels fresh, energetic, and most of all, funny.
Murphy reprises his role as Prince Akeem, who is now King of the African nation of Zamunda. He’s in desperate need of a male heir to unite his kingdom with a warring neighboring country led by the sly General Izzi (Wesley Snipes). As luck would have it, Akeem learns he has a son in Queens, a product of a one-night stand he had while he was in America in the original movie. Along with his trusty pal Semmi (Arsenio Hall), they return to America to find him. Once Akeem’s son, Lavelle (Jermaine Fowler) learns of his heritage, he travels to Zamunda where, much to his father’s chagrin, he decides he’s going to do things his way.
Despite the title, most of the action takes place in Zamunda and it’s brimming with vibrant costumes, sets, and energy, which gives the film its own identity from the original (while probably owing a debt of inspiration to Black Panther). Many would lazily call it a flip-flop of the first film, but Coming 2 America’s theme is what makes it unique. It’s about the importance of finding your own identity while simultaneously honoring the past and blazing your own path towards a bright future. Just as the young prince is able to do all that, so does the movie.
The early scenes are the funniest. There’s a great funeral sequence that features many great cameos and some awesome musical numbers. Once Murphy and Hall (who practically look the same even if there is some CGI de-aging during the flashback scenes) go back to America, we get some great callbacks to the original. Naturally, there’s another hilarious barbershop scene, which is the comedic highpoint. (Never mind the fact that the old dudes in the shop haven’t aged a day in thirty-three years.)
When the action switches back to Zamunda for the second act, the story’s momentum shifts from the father to the son. I initially thought the movie would start to peter out at this point, but Fowler’s performance was quite good, and his quest to find his own place in the world was unique and absorbing enough for me to be won over. By the end, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed seeing the baton being passed from father to son.
In short, Coming 2 America is one of the best movies of the year. It’s a heartfelt, funny, and sweet film. I can’t wait to go back to Zamunda. Hopefully, Murphy doesn’t make us wait another thirty-three years to do so.
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