Coming to America is a 2021 comedy film, a continuation of the 1988 comedy film Coming to America. The film brings back Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall as Prince Akeem and Semmi and also brings new characters that brings the importance of family, tradition and comedy to the film.
Prince Akeem who is Eddie Murphy in the movie was leaving a comfortable life in Zamunda until when his father was about to die and he had to become the king of Zamunda but he had to have a male successor which he didn’t had with his wife princess Lisa. Things turn when Prince Akeem learnt that he had a bastard son conceived from three decades when he went to Queens to search for true love, so prince Akeem had to go back to America and bring his son because he was important in Zamunda because he had to inherit the throne.
Lavelle was struggling at Queens and it was always his wish to meet his father and hoping that he would take him and his mother out of poverty. When he first met his father he was overwhelmed because him going back to Zamunda with him means he had to become the crowned prince and become the successor of his father’s throne but that brought conflicts in the family because Meeka Akeem’s first daughter dedicated all her life and trained to success her father’s throne but it was against the traditions of Zamunda.
Jermaine Fowler as Lavelle is one of the central character as he comes from the Queens without the knowledge of how the people of Zamunda follows their traditions finds himself where he had to go through some tests for him to become a crowned prince and also he discovers that King Akeem and General Izzi are planning an arranged marriage so that the two kingdoms will be united through marriage. Lavelle also faced unacceptance from his siblings as Meeka felt that he was taking her right to rule Zamunda.
The relationship between King Akeem and Semmi also brings the theme of friendship as their bond was still strong even after many decades and also Semmi proves to be loyal to the king. Queen Lisa romantic relationship with the king also proves that family is everything and they need to unite as she accepts Lavelle and his mother.
The film also manages to bring the old and the new characters together to show the continuation of the original film Coming to America and to celebrate the original movie. The movie setting also makes the movie entertaining as different locations had its impact as shown by the Zamunda’s place shows the country’s wealthy and power and also the setting of the Queens shows that the people were not living the comfortable life they desired. Although the movie is excellent it also has its shortcomings as some characters were underdeveloped as it wants to show the continuation from the original movie and some scenes were predictable.
Coming 2 America is a movie that succeeds because of its kingdom , romance, identity and comedy. Although it has its weaknesses, l would recommend it to people who enjoy comedy, romance, music and family. I would give it 4/5.
