Movie review: Coming 2 America

 Akeem realizes he has no suitable offspring as heir to his throne and begins to search for a solution. Learning he has a long-lost son in America, he and Semmi return in hopes of building a relationship with the boy to groom him for the throne.

Eddie Murphy (Akeem/Clarence/Saul/Randy), Arsenio Hall (Semmi/Morris/Rev. Brown/Baba), Jermaine Fowler (Lavelle), Leslie Jones (Mary), Tracy Morgan (Reem), KiKi Layne (Meeka), Wesley Snipes (Izzi), James Earl Jones (Joffer), John Amos (Cleo), Teyana Taylor (Bopoto), Paul Bates (Oha).

Coming 2 America rejoins much of the original cast years later after Akeem has ascended to the throne. Learning he has a son in America, and needing an heir to his throne, Akeem and Semmi return in hopes the boy can solve all their problems. The premise for the film established, the rest of the movie is a sad and largely overdone attempt to recreate the comedy and energy of the original film.

Acting was as much a mess as the storyline and technical work. Murphy used to have fun energy but we almost forgot he was a comedian in this one. Hall felt like he phoned a lot of this one in, while Jones was simply an annoying distraction, and we still don't know what happened to Snipes. Jones, Amos and others did fairly well.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds are disappointing with some ridiculous visual effects poorly used in an attempt to add quality or depth. Dialogue was disappointing with much of the attempted humor completely missing the mark. Sound and soundtrack add little to the film.

Overall Coming 2 America is a disappointing sequel that adds nothing to the franchise. If this looks at all interesting do yourself a favor and watch the original instead.

With some comedic sexuality, mild violence, and foul language, this would be suitable punishment for teens and above.

Released: 2021
Reviewed: 5.8.21
Star rating: 2 out of 5
Genre: Comedy

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