By Prince Hakeem
As decreed by the real heir to the Zamundan throne, let the glorious celebration of Coming 2 America proceed!
My name is Prince Hakeem. My constituents have called me Zamunda’s Greatest Export, West Coast’s Best Kept Secret, and even The Lost Child of Wakanda. The long-awaited sequel to Eddie Murphy’s Coming to America dropped last Friday, and fans have been giving their opinions and reactions all weekend. Some of it joyous, and others not so much.
Let’s go back in history for a bit. Before the fictional African nation of Wakanda, there was the country of Zamunda. 1988’s ‘Coming to America’ followed Eddie Murphy’s Prince Akeem’s character, who sought to forge his path despite the royalty and cultural expectations set upon him. Along with Arsenio Hall’s Semmie, he ventured out to Queens, New York, to find him a bride. Akeem’s determination and progressing beliefs led him to find his true love, Lisa McDowell, played by Shari Headley. In the end, Akeem’s story in the first film wasn’t just about love conquering all. In many ways, its unique charm relied on a prince leaving his comfort zone, finding himself, and become his own man. Now, we once again meet Akeem, Lisa, and the rest of the Zamundan bunch as they transition into modern times. However, it turns out that this latest venture was more so passing the torch to the next generation.
Now I’m not going to lie. I was right there with fans and audiences when news of a sequel was first confirmed. Why? Who asked for this? If you ask the majority of fans, the answer would be no.
When it became known that the original writers and creators, including Murphy, were at the helm of this project, I became more optimistic about the outcome. Now, having watched the film, concerns about the sequel being bad weren’t wholly realized. Lackluster, yes, but still a fun time all around. So a happy medium, I’d say.
Aptly titled Coming 2 America, this sequel brings up back into the kingdom of Zamunda. Thirty years removed from the first film’s events, we find Akeem entering a new phase in life. Still married to Lisa, but now with three beautiful daughters, Akeem has transitioned from prince to King. This development comes after James Earl Jones’ King Jaffe Joffer hilariously passes away in the movies’ first act. On his deathbed, King Joffer, with the help of a new character named Baba, reveals to Akeem that he has a “bastard son” in Queens, New York. After finding out Semmie is partly to blame for the unexpected news, the two once again set a course for America to find this long-lost firstborn son. Portrayed by Jermaine Fowler, Lavelle Junson is a good-hearted yet, underachieving 30-year-old looking to prove himself. His world’s turned upside down when Akeem shows up at his mother’s apartment with news that he’s a prince and the heir apparent. What ensues consists of predictable hi-jinks, and growing pains, resulting in a conclusion very similar to the first Coming to America.
Coming 2 America was a good movie experience overall. There are certainly pros and cons. For starters, the movie seemed overly reliant on the nostalgia wave currently overtaking Hollywood. From the frequent use of old clips in the first film to the many shoe-horned celebrity cameos and lesser-known supporting characters, Coming 2 America felt a lot like deja vu. It also came across as all over the place pacing-wise. Instead of using this opportunity to make a significant entry within the Zamundan lore, director Craig Brewer instead tells a watered version of the same story. This time with different characters, not named Akeem or Semmie as the primary focus. While a competent Fowler delivered in his role as Lavelle, the filmmakers seemed to have forgotten that audiences came to see Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall. Their characters were sidelined for much of the movie’s runtime. Another noticeable aspect of the film was Kenya Barris’s writing, and influence saturated all over. The comedic edge, which defined the first Coming to America, was replaced by his sitcom aesthetic. A few laughs, sure – but it did not do any favors for the film’s authenticity. The modern female empowerment narrative was a bit forced and heavy-handed as well. It took away from the movie’s PG-13 comedy angle, making things too serious at times. While commentary on sexism is admirable, the feminist trope felt overwhelmingly forced at several film points.
For all the missteps taken in a movie, which no one asked for, Coming 2 America is still worth watching. This film’s charm centers around the same lessons found in its predecessor. Love, self-determination, and one choosing their own path are timeless and enduring. It was a beautiful passing of the torch to the next generation of black talent. As mentioned before, Jermaine Fowler proved himself capable of leading a film. His energy and conviction shined through his delivery. South African newcomer Nomzamo Mbatha stole every scene she was in a while playing the loveable and ambitious Mirembe. She’s an up-and-coming star. Leslie Jones as Lavelle’s mother and Wesley Snipes as General Izzi were the film’s MVPs. They took the material they had to work with and left a great impression whenever on screen.
In the end, the movie did not ruin the legacy; it did not add much to it either.