Oh say, can you see? I came to the conclusion that 'Coming 2 America' is a sequel that shouldn't have been made. We waited over 30 years for this to happen, and it pretty much recycles the same patriarchal rule plot and objectifying women (most of the film).
However, it made up for it with explaining more of Zamunda's backstory, female empowerment, and humor from new cast additions and celebrity cameos.
Set 30 years after the first film, Akeem Joffer, played by Eddie Murphy, is now king of Zamunda. But he needs a male heir in order to settle a trading problem with neighboring country Nexdoria, or face a hostile takeover led by General Izzi, played by Wesley Snipes. Akeem unknowingly fathered a son during his first trip to America, Lavelle Junson, played by Jermaine Fowler, and must retrieve him and groom him to be the new king on the block.
Eddie Murphy as King Akeem Joffer in 'Coming 2 America'. Photo courtesy of Amazon Studios.
Understanding the need for more female leaders today, I see that the majority of the film ignored that in favor of the typical male authority figures and some females were objectified, such as the royal bathers. However, Akeem’s daughters, played by KiKi Layne, Bella Murphy, and Akiley Love, showed they were skilled fighters when they beat both their father and Izzi’s forces in combat. Mirembe, played by Nomzamo Mbatha, Lavelle’s royal groomer and love interest, showed an entrepreneurial spirit when she said she wanted to open her own barbershop.
Leslie Jones was quite humorous as Lavelle’s mother, Mary Junson, with her dressing in Queen Lisa’s, played by Shari Headley, dresses, looking like Angela Bassett from 'Black Panther', and her excitable nature and more ghetto slang in comparison to the more straightlaced Joffer family and Zamundans in general. It was nice seeing the ladies bond over drinks and “The Humpty Dance”.
Mary Junson, played by Leslie Jones, is excited to be in Zamunda, while Queen Lisa McDowell-Joffer, played by Shari Headley, is less than thrilled about meeting her in 'Coming 2 America'. Photo courtesy of Amazon Studios.
As for Lavelle, it was amusing watching him struggle to learn his paternal family’s customs and train to be the next heir. The really comical parts of him came when he tried to trim a lion’s whiskers and got scared thinking he was about to get circumcised. It was great when he learned to change tradition like his father but also be the best version of himself while training, and that he was supportive of Mirembe’s dreams when others weren’t.
It’s also entertaining how he was arranged to marry a robot like his father did, given that Bopoto Izzi, played by Teyana Taylor, only likes what he likes.
Tracy Morgan was a fun new addition as Reem Junson, Lavelle’s uncle. It was hilarious seeing him teach Lavelle to walk like he owns Zamunda and fight with Semmi, Akeem’s aide and best friend, played by Arsenio Hall.
Lavelle Junson and his Uncle Reem, played by Jermaine Fowler and Tracy Morgan, walking like kings in 'Coming 2 America'. Photo courtesy of Amazon Studios.
Until I watched the film, I didn’t expect this would be less about Akeem. Sadly, he’s become as stubborn as his father, Jaffe Joffer, played by James Earl Jones, was, with his obsession with finding the right male ruler. Aside from that, he gets his butt kicked by his daughters and insults them, his wife, and his son with his obsession with getting the right male ruler and avoiding war with Nexdoria.
But thanks to a chat with his former employer, Cleo McDowell, played by John Amos, and remembering what his late mother Queen Aoleon, played by Madge Sinclair, would say, Akeem came back to his senses in time to reconcile with his family.
Speaking of Jaffe, it was funny watching Morgan Freeman, En Vogue, and Salt-N-Pepa be there to celebrate his life at his funeral. And it was excellent watching John Legend sing “She’s Your Queen To Be” in the end credits.
Jaffe Joffer, played by James Earl Jones, is delighted at the celebration of his life at his funeral in 'Coming 2 America'. Photo courtesy of Amazon Studios.
The Zamundan/Nexdorian costumes looked like authentic African clothing. Some songs such as “We Got The Moves” by Beau Young Prince and “Smash The Crowd” by Public Enemy were good when they showed Lavelle adjusting to his new role.
Overall, the new cast, hilarity, hip hop soundtrack, and Zamundan/Nexdorian costumes are what made 'Coming 2 America' worthy to watch. Regardless, I liked it better when it was the original film left alone. But if you want to see what Eddie Murphy’s got after 33 years, stream 'Coming 2 America' on Amazon Prime Video.
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