FILM AND TELEVISION
‘Coming 2 America’ Isn’t Great, But it’s Definitely Awesome
The classic original is well represented here
There’s a moment early in Coming 2 America in which Arsenio Hall’s character, Semmi explains how Eddie Murphy’s Prince Akeem unwittingly impregnated a “morally bereft woman” over 30 years ago.
Using footage from the original 1988 film to illustrate that fateful night, Semmi’s revelation uncovers the uncomfortable facts that led to the existence of Akeem’s 30-year old “bastard son,” LaVelle (Jermaine Fowler).
The backstory (obviously invented for this film) is both hilarious and clever. It was that moment that formed my ultimate opinion of this flick.
It isn’t great, but it’s definitely awesome.
Critics Suck, This Film Doesn’t
I’ve read several reviews of this very belated sequel, and they are overwhelmingly negative. Much has been made about the lack of a paternity test to prove that Akeem actually fathered the boy.
Who gives a damn? This movie is a comedy with a bunch of implausible shit going on, so I’m not about to nitpick just because it’s easy.
