Coming 2 America
Written by Andreas Babiolakis
During the awards season, I will be covering films that are a part of the discussion that have been out for a while.
Everyone loves the Eddie Murphy breakthrough hit Coming to America, right? Even though it is imperfect and certainly problematic, the ‘80s comedy at least showcased Murphy at the start of his acting career proving his ability to embody characters (sometimes a few in one scene): a capability that has since been tried to death and beyond. Nonetheless, Coming to America was the fish-out-of-water tale that just clicked with audiences ever since: this Prince Akeem from Zamunda who is on a quest to find the love of his life. He sticks out like a sore thumb – for better or for worse – and we love the film all the same. Well, it has been a year since nobody asked for Coming 2 America, and while Akeem and his antics are the same, the sequel doesn’t quite land as nicely. All this feels like is a paler comparison of a more beloved film, with some nice callbacks and some awkward landing on many jokes (some trying to be woke for the sake of it, and others trying to be offensive and countering the supposed awareness that was illustrated earlier). Basically Coming 2 America exists just to exist: because people would see it. It’s not well assembled, nor did it seem like it had a proper plan outside of its premise.
The concept is a little interesting, since most of the film doesn’t take place in America but rather Zamunda instead, and it is his son, Lavelle, who is now out of place trying to take on his new role as prince (since Akeem is now crowned king after his father’s passing). Lavelle is a child Akeem didn’t know he had, and Coming 2 America uses date rape as a joke that never gets really scrutinized or penalized (because it was 2021, and who needs to be sensitive, right?). Ignoring this nauseating plot detail, we have Lavelle having to earn his place as prince, and both his personal ambitious and identity, as well as Akeem’s stubbornness and ego (so he learned nothing this whole time) force the film to dart back and forth between Zamunda and Queens in such a jiffy that you’ll be forced to question just how fast these royal private jets are (we barely even see any evidence that they exist). So many things, from jokes to plot devices, happen for the convenience of the film to be justified for its existence, but a hastily made story really proves the opposite, doesn’t it?
While not the worst sequel in the world, you’re better off watching the original Coming to America if nostalgia for the first flick is the itch you have.
Outside of some of these annoyances (there are many other eye-roll-worthy jokes and gags, but don’t get me started), Coming 2 America isn’t great but it also isn’t atrocious, despite the fact that it didn’t need to exist. Outside of its magnificent makeup (the kind that help the surprise Murphy and Arsenio Hall characters come to life, and they’re more convincing than ever here) and astonishing costumes (if the Academy was going to honour the film at all, at least consider it for its wardrobes too), the film is kind of forgettable at worst. Ignoring some of the more glaring complaints I had before, Coming 2 America is otherwise inoffensive and just there. It may tickle fans of the original, but it otherwise is so easy to just cast aside and shrug at upon memory. That’s that. The film is over a year old now, I’m coving it for its Oscar nomination for makeup and hair styling, and you likely forgot it even existed. Well, Coming 2 America (or Staying in Zamunda, perhaps?) still exists, and it is so-so when it isn’t simultaneously well crafted and lazily slapped together (a real paradox I’m sure).
Andreas Babiolakis has a Masters degree in Film and Photography Preservation and Collections Management from Ryerson University, as well as a Bachelors degree in Cinema Studies from York University. His favourite times of year are the Criterion Collection flash sales and the annual Toronto International Film Festival.