Coming 2 America

Amazon Studios | Release Date (Streaming): March 5, 2021

5.1	USER SCORE Mixed or average reviews based on 206 Ratings

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marcmyworksMar 6, 2021

The sequel to Coming to America wasn't really necessary, though the nostalgia factor had me interested. The problem with this film is that it doesn't have the charm of the original one. Where Prince Hakim disguised his identity to find hisThe sequel to Coming to America wasn't really necessary, though the nostalgia factor had me interested. The problem with this film is that it doesn't have the charm of the original one. Where Prince Hakim disguised his identity to find his true love, in this version everything is out in the open and it felt like the Producers were more interested in cameos and special effects than story.… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

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Jmone19Mar 6, 2021

This sequel was not what I expected the jokes didn't land as I thought it would but Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall had good moments together.

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

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Stream2BigScreeMar 5, 2021

Welcome back to Wakanda... *coughs*, I mean, Zamunda. After 30 years of no one waiting for this, we finally got our sequel to Coming to America with Coming 2 America. Oh, so clever there. Long awaited and overdue but also, maybe, too late asWelcome back to Wakanda... *coughs*, I mean, Zamunda. After 30 years of no one waiting for this, we finally got our sequel to Coming to America with Coming 2 America. Oh, so clever there. Long awaited and overdue but also, maybe, too late as well. Either way, Coming 2 America follows our favorite heir of Zamunda, Prince Akeem, as he secures his family legacy after learning he has a long-lost son in the United States. He returns to Queens to meet this unexpected heir and bring him back to Zamunda to build a relationship with him. Of course, if everything were that easy, there wouldn't be a movie but the rest we will leave up to you to detail the story. Let's see what we got.

Let's be honest, they pulled out all the stops with this movie. All of black acting and comedy royalty appear in this movie. The costumes and sets were all over the top and amazing. Rick Ross' house and Tyler Perry Studios definitely have everything you need for a regal movie set. The biggest qualm I know people are going to have is that this doesn't feel anything like the original. Yes, they take us down memory lane throughout the movie, but it hasn't brought back the feeling from 1988. We all know societal norms and acceptances and culture have changed since then. Nevertheless, after 30 years, it's impossible to recapture that comedic magic without being corny or overly campy. In fact, if I'm being honest, this movie is like 20 to 25 years too late. You can even hear how late it is in Eddie Murphy's accent, or lack there of. I'm going to tell you all now, "Get over it!"

Where this movie succeeds is that the cast is full of life. The themes of the film are nice and cute for the family. Just like Eddie's career as a whole, he's moved on to making films his kids can watch and be proud of, and there's nothing wrong with that. Coming 2 America has jokes that call back to the past, connections to comics and artists of the present but also ideals that people really shouldn't be fighting so hard to hold on to. The movie comes full circle but part of the issue is that we've been around and around this circle so many times. They waited 30 years to give us essentially the same movie and then just added in a storyline that has been beat to death over the last 5-10 years. This is where I think the filmmakers really missed. You don't call on an iconic film to make it ordinary but that's what we got. The thought of this movie feels rushed but we also come against the fact that the movie feels too long.

Coming 2 America is a movie that any family with teens and young adults can sit down and enjoy. The movie is in no way in the same ballpark as the original, but that shouldn't take away from the enjoyment you can get from it. I'd wish for more originality from this flick but I'll settle for endless cameos, nostalgic laughs and the cheap price of the movie. The actual movie is just a handful of popcorn but for the culture grab yourself a bowl and enjoy the call to the past.… Expand

5 of 7 users found this helpful52

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goodreverend2k1Mar 6, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Below Avg., Too Long, Too many Flash Backs, Murphy is only in about Half the Movie. This Movie is a 4 but I'm giving it 5 because it was free to watch. Leslie Jones is always the same in every movie and needs to work on her acting. Way TOO MANY Musical Numbers. They could have cut 30 min out of the movie and lose nothing.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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Nobilis1984Mar 5, 2021

No that's really a letdown. I prefer the great original here.
Of course you have to be modern and we're not in the 80s anymore. But that's too modern for me. I also get too much singing and dancing in the film.
It is positive that many oldNo that's really a letdown. I prefer the great original here.
Of course you have to be modern and we're not in the 80s anymore. But that's too modern for me. I also get too much singing and dancing in the film.
It is positive that many old actors are back and bring back a retro feeling.… Expand

3 of 5 users found this helpful32

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LISOCHIKOTOSAMar 6, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I was personally underwhelmed by this sequel. While there was leeway to expand the narrative the script just felt washed out, tired and uninspired. There may be a few good laughs here and there, but the movie borrows too many scenes from the original.The narrative fell flat mainly because of a lot of stereotypes of Africa without any significant incorporation of African artists. There are also so many stereotypical portrayals of the African American ghetto as well. The movie tries to incorporate many modern themes but it just falls flat when compared to the original and leads to many cringeworthy moments… Expand

3 of 6 users found this helpful33

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YorkManMar 6, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. It's hard to watch C2A and not draw direct comparisons to the original, in fact it's impossible. Why? Because the film is so intentionally self-referential that it practically begs you to, with so many returning characters and recycled jokes.

However, it IS a pretty good comedy... IF you understand it's a continuation from the original i.e. a sequel, rather than watch it with that comparative mindset and judge it against what is probably Eddie Murphy's funniest film.

The plot is basic, with the fish out of water being Prince/King Akeem's illegitimate son being brought from Queens NY, to Zamunda because of ages old succession laws requiring only a male heir to possess the throne. Throw in a subplot with a neighbouring state looking to get their offspring onto the throne for political/financial reasons and the story moves along quite nicely.

From an acting perspective Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall look like they're really enjoying themselves, as do all the actors returning from the first film (Shari Headley still looks gorgeous 32 years later!). The new actors/characters, especially the younger ones, aren't so good. Jermaine Fowler as Akeem's son Lavelle in particular lacks the charisma needed for the role, outside the comedy elements which he does do well. Wesley Snipes is hilarious as the Dictator from the neighbouring state, and pretty much steals all the scenes he's in.

But, there are problems with the film. It lacks bite and that sense of dread which the first movie had. Being R-rated CTA was able to derive characterisations/humour/depth through racism/profanity/culture clashes that C2A simply can't. It's newer PG-13 'woke' mantra means so much of that is replaced with trying to breathe modern sensibilities into a cliched narrative.

Overall though, it isn't terrible... It's just always going to compare unfavourably to it's predecessor.… Expand

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

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MallRat15Mar 9, 2021

After reading all the bad reviews on this one I wasn't expecting much. Was actually surprised that it did offer some great laughs. Is it a movie that will have you laughing all the way through no, but it does provide some laughs throughoutAfter reading all the bad reviews on this one I wasn't expecting much. Was actually surprised that it did offer some great laughs. Is it a movie that will have you laughing all the way through no, but it does provide some laughs throughout its run time. No where near as good as the first but still some laughs and of course lots of nostalgia. A good way to spend some time watching it during lockdown.… Expand

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

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DubeauMar 7, 2021

C2A was average as a comedy. The story at least follow the original but the humour in it is just so uneven. The best line were for Jermaine and Tracy Morgan. Murphy was acting and redid his bits, some good, some bad. The music pieces didn'tC2A was average as a comedy. The story at least follow the original but the humour in it is just so uneven. The best line were for Jermaine and Tracy Morgan. Murphy was acting and redid his bits, some good, some bad. The music pieces didn't do anything for me. The funeral part was so forced on the watcher. I like the young kids in it. Snipes was maybe one good side of the movie. I give it 50%. I didn't laugh in this movie. For me it's just another sequel that failed on so many levels.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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Taraji77Mar 5, 2021

I love it. Great job! Eddie Murphy. I'm glad it was eexactly like the first one.

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

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matzcriticApr 7, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I will keep this review short and simple. Coming 2 America was light on the story, heavy on nostalgia. This film barely had any new story elements except another reason King Akeem had to go on a trip to America, which was to find his long lost son, Lavelle. Still an enjoyable movie.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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RalfbergsNov 7, 2021

Nothing too impressive, but I still enjoyed many moments of the movie. I must say I havent seen the first one, so maybe compared to that this one is much worse given the ratings?!