Prince Akeem (Eddie Murphy) reintroduces his characters thirty years later with classical reminders of how influential Coming To America was. This adventure takes us to Zamunda to find the love as Prince Akeem ascends to the thrown as the King of Zamunda. The lessons of following your heart. Believing in love remain powerful in the next generation of Zamundians.
King Akeem is thrust into a new life without the comfort and power of his father. Surrounded with the sounds of Zamunda the King is trapped between the traditions of his father and the new life of progress. When we are young it is easy to admire and desire an independent life. Living in the beautiful opportunity of new love. Developing the mental elation of the living under your own decisions is pure peace. However, as we ourselves start the next generation, we somehow become our own parents. We create laws of old that do not reflect the current environment. Inadvertently we create the same environment, that we ourselves lived through.
The barrage of musical cameos from the 60s like Gladys Knight to the Jackson Heights own Randy Watson, Coming to America 2 was packed with music. Spanning generations and continents, the sounds resonated through the entire film. Combined with the visual effects of Zamunda, the costumes transported you into the heart of the African country as the first movie encapsulated you in Queens New York. Coming to America 2 focused on helping the audience experience life in Zamunda for the majority of the film with the mild interruption of America.
The Royal Family of Zamunda expanding significantly in 30 years. Akeem and Lisa having three young women of their own, but tradition would not allow a woman to be heir to the thrown. Akeems bastard son from America provided an opportunity to manage the expectations of ancestors. However the new crown prince that was born and raised in Queens, had no desire to lead of a country he never knew. With time Prince Akeem came to realize that his eldest daughter Meeka, that was far better prepared to lead Zamunda. Zamunda was her home. Zamunda was her life. Meeka is Zamunda.
There are times in our lives where it is more important to pause and reflect, then to continue to vain. The pride we feel in our history is a beautiful thing, but not at the expense of progress. Without an ability to adapt to change the thing we are trying to protect is the thing we could loose the fastest.
What You Need to Know
Coming 2 America is available for streaming via Amazon Prime Video on Friday, March 5th.
Original cast favorites from Coming to America return including King Jaffe Joffer (James Earl Jones), Queen Lisa (Shari Headley), Cleo McDowell (John Amos), Maurice (Louie Anderson) and the motley barbershop crew.
Joining this star-studded ensemble are Wesley Snipes, Leslie Jones, Tracy Morgan, Jermaine Fowler, Bella Murphy, Rotimi, KiKi Layne, Nomzamo Mbatha and Teyana Taylor, making Coming 2 America the most anticipated comedy film of the year.
Watch it to laugh and reminisce but not to compare it to Coming to America. Enjoy the trip back to Zamunda one last time.
