Coming 2 America is a long-awaited sequel to the beloved 1988 comedy classic, Coming to America. The film reunites Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall with much of the original cast for a new, hilarious chapter in the life of Prince Akeem of Zamunda. The movie is a warm and nostalgic return to the opulent, fictional African kingdom and the vibrant, often chaotic, streets of Queens, New York.
The story picks up thirty years after the events of the first film. Prince Akeem Joffer (Eddie Murphy) is living a peaceful and prosperous life in Zamunda, happily married to his love, Lisa McDowell (Shari Headley), and raising three accomplished daughters. As the film begins, Akeem's father, King Jaffe Joffer (James Earl Jones), is on his deathbed. With no male heir to inherit the throne, the king and his trusted advisor, Semmi (Arsenio Hall), remind Akeem of an old prophecy and a wild night in Queens that may have produced a son. Akeem is shocked to discover that he has an unknown son named Lavelle (Jermaine Fowler), living in Queens, New York.
With his family's legacy and the stability of Zamunda at stake, Akeem and Semmi once again travel to Queens. They are met with a new version of the chaotic neighborhood they once knew, complete with new and familiar faces. The goal is to bring Lavelle back to Zamunda and groom him to be the rightful heir to the throne. Lavelle, a street-smart and well-meaning young man, is completely unprepared for the extravagant and formal world of Zamunda. He’s joined by his mother, Mary (Leslie Jones), a feisty and outspoken woman who also finds herself navigating the palace's rigid customs.
The film's humor comes from the clash of cultures—Lavelle's Queens sensibility colliding with Zamunda's old-world traditions. Akeem must contend with the struggles of fatherhood, teaching his undisciplined son how to be a prince, while also dealing with his own daughters, who feel overlooked in the patriarchal succession. The movie also introduces a new villain, General Izzi (Wesley Snipes), the over-the-top, warmongering leader of a neighboring nation, who wants to marry his son to Akeem's daughter.
Coming 2 America is a loving tribute to the original, filled with clever references, returning characters in new and old roles, and the same heartfelt humor. Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall are in top form, reprising their multiple roles with an infectious energy that reminds viewers why the original was so beloved. The movie is a vibrant, colorful, and fun adventure that celebrates family, tradition, and the idea that true love can be found anywhere. It's a sweet, nostalgic, and laugh-out-loud comedy that serves as a worthy and satisfying successor to the classic film.
Coming 2 America is a 2020 comedy.
It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.3 and a MetaScore of 52.
