(WARNING: MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS FOR COMING 2 AMERICA!)
Before I even get started, I know that I'm late on this. Sure I gave my quick thoughts on social media, since I saw the film early, but I wanted to watch it again before I gave my full review of Coming 2 America from Amazon Studios. This is a movie that was 30 years in the making, and almost didn't happen at all. It's also a movie that tries to find the best balance between nostalgia and a story that adds to the greatness of the original. So, does that happen?
Just to sum things up quickly, it turns out that Akeem has a illegitimate son that he unknowingly fathered while he was in Queens. Yes, Semmi deserves the blame for this. So he seeks out Levelle Junson and his mother Mary, ultimately bringing them back to Zamunda. You see Akeem doesn't have a son, and that leaves the kingdom vulnerable to the likes of the very animated General Izzi. What follows is Lavelle learning how to be a Prince, and Akeem ultimately learning what it means to really be both a King and a father. You see, Akeem's three daughters want to feel seen and important as well, especially the strong and confident Meeka.
If you were a fan of the original film, I certainly don't think you'll be disappointed. There are plenty of callbacks and familiar faces to delight you. Whether it's a trip (actually several trips) back to the barber shop or a new menu item at McDowell's, there will certainly be plenty for you to scratch that itch of nostalgia. You'll also get a great, albeit brief, performance from the great James Earl Jones. The film leans quite heavily on it's newer characters, along with Akeem and Semmi. Whether or not that is a good thing is a matter of perspective. That same perspective can be taken as to whether or not certain jokes/bits never get old. There will be some callbacks, a few of which I feel they went with one too many times.
As for the new characters, there is always risk there when you're talking about adding to a film that many believe was a classic. I found myself wanting to see Jermaine Fowler on the screen more and more as the film went on. Lavelle is a very relatable character and does breath new life into the classic characters as well. I will admit that I am not the biggest Leslie Jones fan, but some of the most fun moments in the film involve her character. Mary definitely gave me most of my laugh out loud moments, especially when she and Lisa start to bond. If I'm being honest though, I think I enjoyed seeing Wesley Snipes strut across the screen as General Izzi the most. It actually made me grateful that he was never cast in the original film, because I just can't see anyone else bringing the General to life the way that Snipes did. He also had great chemistry with Murphy, with this balance of tension and humor that just worked for me.
They also did a good job with how the daughters reaction to Lavelle coming into the picture. We don't get a whole lot of time with Omma or Tinashe, but Meeka got a lot of attention because she wanted to be the heir to the throne. We see her earn that throughout the film, and I could feel myself mimicking her frustration. That made it that much more satisfying when the family comes together, and for that fight scene at the end.
The major criticism that I have for Coming 2 America is that there might be too great of a parallel to the original film when it comes to finding a Queen. Sure the settings are reversed, and the way that Lavelle meets his eventual bride are different, but there are a lot of similarities as well. Sure, the point is that Akeem is making the same mistakes his father did. I get that, but at the same time, there were a lot of similar beats there. Don't get me wrong, there is plenty of new as well, but it seemed quite obvious where things were going with this new take on the love story. Good news is, that's probably not what you hit play on the film for in the first place. Their story might be different, but the road taken there was just a bit too familiar for me.
Overall there are plenty of laughs, a lot of heart and a lot of family that are a part of this film. My one piece of advice, if you haven't seen it yet, is to not go into this expecting them to capture the magic of the original. Certain films set that bar high, and Coming To America certainly did. Plus, keep in mind, Murphy and Hall never intended to make a sequel. They actually had a deal that they wouldn't, until this story came together after a few different drafts. This is a continuation, an homage and a way for fans to get a bit of closure with these characters. It will also make you watch the original differently, I believe. Shouldn't a sequel make you want to go back and watch the original? I think this film does that. It also strengthen bonds, creates new ones and adds some memorable moments of it's own. Plus, you'll want to say through the credits and enjoy some extra fun.
Don't be disappointed that this film isn't as good as it's namesake. Be happy that you got to share some new moments with these characters and not make it feel like it was a cash grab. This isn't one of those movies that should have never existed. I think fans will look back fondly on Coming 2 America, and even have a few lines that they will be quoting for years to come. I enjoyed this movie for what it was, and was pleasantly surprised. I hope you feel the same way.
Photo Credit: Quantrell D. Colbert/Amazon Studios