Murphy and Hall go back to Zamunda for some nostalgia
The 33-years-later sequel “Coming 2 America” starts poorly but gets funnier and more likable as it goes, and it’s stolen by a newcomer to this particular nostalgia tour: Wesley Snipes, fopping it up as the military dictator of Nextdoria. For those who don’t know their mythical African geography, Nextdoria is the neighboring country to the better-known Zamunda, ruled by the dying King Jaffe Joffer (cameo by James Earl Jones) and soon to be turned over to our old friend Prince Akeem, portrayed by Eddie Murphy.
No longer a grinning naif, Murphy’s prince has mellowed into a new role: royal straight man for his co-stars. In 1988, at the peak of Murphy’s superstardom, “Coming to America” allowed the “Saturday Night Live” and “Beverly Hills Cop” alum to lean into a relatively conventional but — for Hollywood — rare Black showcase of commercial romantic comedy. Its storyline was something out of an ancient, lily-white operetta: A prince from a fictional faraway land sidesteps an arranged marriage by seeking, and finding, a true love match in the borough of Queens, New York.
“Coming to America” became a hit, though many white critics at the time didn’t go for it. (Roger Ebert called it “lethargic.”) Countless millions can quote the barbershop trash-talk zingers and crack up at the mere mention of the soul band “Sexual Chocolate.” Those millions are the reason we now have “Coming 2 America,” the scattershot but genial follow-up.
Murphy and costar Arsenio Hall are back, of course, playing four roles apiece, including the Queens barbershop regulars. Director Craig Brewer’s sequel, working from a script by Barry W. Blaustein, Justin Kanew and Kenya Barris, turns more of the narrative over to the women, which is a big change from the casually rampant misogyny of the first one.
Akeem and his Queensbred queen-to-be, Lisa (Shari Headley)live in harmony with their three daughters (KiKi Layne, Eddie’s daughter Bella Murphy and Akiley Love). The eldest daughter is a clear and shining heiress to the throne, but ancient custom prevents her from being next in line. Meantime, the king’s shaman (Hall, encased in latex and decrepit dental work) foresees a scary vision. Nexdoria’s mercurial leader, Gen. Izzi (Snipes), will attack Zamunda unless Akeem returns to New York and fetches the son (Jermaine Fowler as Lavelle) he never knew he had.
Along with Snipes, who scores laughs with the most singular vocal flourishes and most nuanced mugging in modern movies, the newbies to the “Coming to America” universe include Leslie Jones as Akeem’s one-off from the old days; Tracy Morgan, as Lavelle’s uncle; and Nomzamo Mbatha, a warm, humanizing asset as palace groomer Mirembe and, for Lavelle, an invaluable mentor.
It’s not an especially well-made film. Director Brewer made a better Eddie Murphy comedy with “Dolemite Is My Name.” The editing feels jumpy and prone to nervous cutting, and until the midpoint, “Coming 2 America” bumps along on collective moviegoing memories rather than finesse. But there’s a modest kick in watching these people get together again.
MPAA rating: PG-13 (for crude and sexual content, language and drug content) Running time: 1:50 Where to watch: Amazon Prime, starting March 5.