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"Let them take a little bit off the top."
Full disclosure - I don't exactly hold Coming To America as some sort of 80's classic. Having rewatched it recently, it's harmless enough and generates a fair few laughs, but is nothing like the calibre of Beverly Hills Cop or Trading Places. So, I didn't exactly approach this belated followup like the 'second coming'. I'm all for a long overdue sequel when done well - Fury Road and The Color Of Money spring to mind. The 1988 original didn't really warrant a sequel, but I'm pleased to report it proved to be very watchable, had me chuckling at some surprisingly well scripted gags, and maintains the charm of the original.
Prince Akeem is one of Eddie Murphy's more gentle creations, and whilst he doesn't hold a candle to Axel Foley or Reggie Hammond, there's a good degree of charisma to his wide eyed, naive nice guy royal. He seems as surprised as anyone to find himself on a second quest to America in search of a supposedly illegitimate offspring. Makers certainly go all out in ensuring a good amount of returning cast members such as the eternally youthful Arsenio Hall, the mighty James Earl Jones, John Amos and Murphy's onscreen wife Shari Headley. It's a joy to see John Amos and his NOT McDonald's empire back in particular, and he gets one of the film's best scenes with Murphy.
A lot of Murphy's and Hall's multiple characters get a look in too, bringing some of the bigger laughs, Leslie Jones once again wheels out her usual shouty brash persona (does she ever try anything different?), but Wesley Snipes has a ball as a warmongering Zumunda neighbour of Murphy's. There's a generous quota of cameos and I've got to say, I haven't been as entertained as this in a fair old while, and smiled almost constantly. It gets a little Lord Of The Rings with it's ending(s), but that's a minor quibble. Very much one of those productions where it appears that the cast had plenty of fun shooting it.
Like the first instalment, it has a big heart, with a nice message at it's core. After a lot of initial trepidation when this was first announced, this proved to be a genuinely nice surprise. Forget the lukewarm reviews and give it a go - you might just have a great time with it.
7.5/10