Photo Credit: Screencrush
Directed by Craig Brewer, Coming 2 America is a sequel to the 1988 Coming to America, with the same self-awareness and focus directly on serving its audience, with no apologies and an abundance of simple and lavish pleasures. “Coming 2 America” is definitely, unashamedly one for the fans, with plenty of flashbacks, jokes, savvy references, and reruns. Thus, measured simply by these goals, the film is a tremendous, if not a modest, success.
The movie appeals to the viewers, especially since it features a wide range of characters with their various struggles. As the film begins, Prince Akeem (Eddy Murphy) is on the verge of ascending the throne of Zamunda, a fictional African kingdom, while his wife, Lisa (Shari Headley), and his three children await the transfer with royal composure. Meeka (KiKi Layne), the oldest daughter, is clever, powerful, and cunning enough to take on the position of leader-in-waiting. However, King Jaffe Joffer (James Earl Jones) has not altered Zamunda’s patriarchal rules, stipulating that a male heir may only hold the throne. Akeem’s dilemma appears to be addressed when he learns that he does have a son, the consequence of that trip to Queens, New York, 30 years ago.
Throughout the whole film, the viewer watches how the search for a legitimate heir plays out. Because Akeem has only daughters and no sons, whoever weds his eldest daughter Meeka will be king, as it is customary for a male to reign. The fateful search for the heir progresses to New York, where Akeem’s bastard son Lavelle (Jermaine Fowler) and his mother Mary (Leslie Jones) are hauled from their humble New York apartment into opulent splendor in Zamunda. Will Lavelle be worthy of the title of King of Zamunda? Will he marry Bopoto (General Izzi’s daughter) or abandon his planned marriage, like his father before him? What does it matter? “Coming 2 America,” is less about what takes place than it is about making sure nearly every pulse from the original movie is brought back to life, from Murphy and co-star Arsenio Hall playing dozens of old men in a Queen’s barbershop to the appearance of an infamous cast of musicians.
Finally, I love how the movie focused on visuals and a breathtaking fashion display. Something that stood out for me is the look of the movie, which is ecstatic. Ruth Carter, the film costume designer, replicates an assortment of alluring Afrocentric fashion designs for the cast. The characters are clad in aesthetic costumes with bright-hued fabrics, traditional designs with lush textures, and exorbitant ornamentations. The visuals are a pure charm and accentuate the climactic scenes. The magnificent costume designs are brimming with feathers, pearls, braids, gleaming metals, and every opulent material known for royalty, all of which appear to compliment African culture.
Overall, this is a great movie with a love story, as well as light examinations of fortitude, honor, companionship, ancient traditions versus practical modernization, and the search for a sense of belonging and purpose.
