Our favorites Royals are back

Coming to America 2

by Kathia Woods

Coming to America is a Black Cult Classic. One of those films that most Black people can recite a funny line from and the other person immediately recites the other part. So, when it was announced that Coming to America 2 was being made, cheers were heard worldwide.

Our favorite Royals are reuniting. We were getting the whole original cast and some new friends. The only Royal not seen in Coming to America 2 is Madge Sinclair, who died of cancer in 1995.

So, what has changed for Akeem (Eddie Murphy) since we last saw him. He is still married to Lisa (Shari Headley) and now has three beautiful daughters. Semmi (Arsenio Hall) is still Akeem's best friend and right-hand man. This time the root of the problem is that Akeem's failure to produce an heir (he has no sons) could place all Zamunda in peril. There is one solution, and that person happens to be in Queens and doesn't know he's a royal. His name is Lavelle (Jermaine Fowler). Having been conceived during Akeem's search for a wife with Mary (Leslie Jones), neither party was aware of the other. Making things more complicated, General Izzi (Wesley Snipes), who is mindful of Akeem's dilemma, wants to solve the royal problem by marrying his son Idi Izzi (Rotini) to Princess Meeka (Kiki Layne). The young princess feels she should be the heir apparent and has no desire to marry. Akeem feeling the urgency of the situation, goes back to Queens to find his son. Naturally, things go array.

Coming to America 2 has funny pockets, but the story helmed by Kenya Barris, Barry Blaustein, and David Sheffield fails to connect.

The original is a beloved film and has so many groundbreaking moments specifically tied to Black Culture. Coming to America 2 is missing those organic moments. Everything seems forced. It's seemed blastomas to have a talent like Eddie Murphy tied to such a lackluster script. As proven last year in Dolomite is My Name Wesley Snipes is quite funny but seemed handicapped in this film.

Also, there was a chance to involve the second generation of the Royals more. Not letting a woman ascend to the throne is archaic especially seeing Zamunda is an African Nation. Even with that tired troupe, there was still an opportunity to see how the Royal family was fairing in the world of Social Media and the internet. I also wanted to see how Akeem dealt with teaching his son how to navigate the world differently than his father taught him. Wasn't he the one that wanted to choose his pride versus having one chosen for him? It's unacceptable that Barris, who has a whole show centered on Black Fatherhood, failed to write anything authentic centering that relationship.

The one positive about Coming to America 2 is Eddie Murphy; he still gives us moments of laughter despite the above. His talent will shine no matter how dated the situation. The set design and costuming are also festive. Academy Award winner Ruth Carter did bring a little of Wakanda to Zamunda. It was also lovely to see how Zamunda, the country operated. The last film took place primarily in Queens. The other highlight was seeing Morgan Freeman and James Earl Jones in a movie together. I guarantee that will be a Jeopardy question down the road.

Understandably, a sequel will never be as great as the original. Viewers must know that Coming to America 2 reconnects you with some of your faves, but the new additions don't elevate the cookout. Suppose you're willing to forgo nostalgia and see this film as its own entity it might work for you. The saving grace is that we still get to enjoy Eddie Murphy. We came for the memories but stayed for Eddie and some for Arsenio that best sums up Coming to America 2.