Coming 2 America Reviews Are Here, Does Eddie Murphy Honor or Taint the Original?



Dropping a day earlier than expected, comedy sequel Coming 2 America finds audiences reuniting with Eddie Murphy’s Akeem Joffer and Arsenio Hall’s Semmi after a thirty-year wait. After so many years since the first Coming to America delighted movie goers, was the reunion worth the wait?

A.O. Scott of the New York Times found a lot to enjoy from the long-awaited Eddie Murphy follow-up, describing Coming 2 America as “[A] genial, mostly inoffensive, sometimes quite funny sequel to a beloved comedy from way back in the 1980s.” Johnny Oleksinski of the New York Post however was nowhere near as enamored by the sequel, calling it “A happy reunion” that “can’t re-create the original’s spark, innocence and masterful comedy.”

RELATED: The Klumps Almost Returned in Coming 2 America

This mixed response is indicative of the general consensus when it comes to Coming 2 America, with CinemaBlend’s Sean O’Connell feeling that the movie leans too hard into the legacy of its popular predecessor.

“This tepid attempt to rekindle our interest in the series limps along on a rotating cycle of ‘Remember this?’ gags and too-serious subplots.”

Travis Hopson of Punch Drunk Critics though felt that Coming 2 America works best when reminding audiences of the far superior first movie.

“While the long-awaited sequel can’t hold a candle to its predecessor, it works really well when leaning hard into nostalgia, not so much when trying anything new.”

Coming 2 America being a lesser cinematic outing when compared to the first movie is a feeling that’s shared by all, with Whelan Barzey of Empire Magazine nonetheless finding things to enjoy.

“If it’s missing the charm and Murphy’s magnetism from the first film, Coming 2 America delivers a broad, serviceable return to Zamunda.”

Josh Bell of CBR meanwhile was not fan, with “a handful of funny moments and a cast clearly having a good time” failing to live up to the thirty-year wait with the sequel lacking a good reason to exist. Frank Scheck of the Hollywood Reporter also felt that the sequel lacked its own identity saying, “Coming 2 America includes so many nods to its predecessor that it feels like a feature-length Easter Egg in search of a movie.”

Variety’s Peter Debruge also felt that Coming 2 America relies too much on familiarity, something which does not always work in a modern context.

“For the most part, “Coming 2 America” falls back on familiar punchlines, serving up nearly word-for-word repeats of amusing bits from the original, but they don’t necessarily play the same in this context.”

There were some who found much enjoyment in the comedy sequel though, with Charlotte O’Sullivan of London Evening Standard saying, “Coming 2 America gets a few things wrong, yet beats the odds by getting so much right,” whilst Eric Kohn of indieWire simply states that “Coming 2 America doesn’t have to be perfect to succeed at putting [Murphy] centerstage. All hail the King.”

Directed by Craig Brewer. Coming 2 America picks up with Prince Akeem of Zamunda following the death of his father. Now King, Akeem realizes he has no sons to inherit his throne upon his eventual death. Because of this, his life and the throne are in danger of being taken by General Izzi. Akeem learns he has a son in Queens, New York from a one night stand he had years ago while living there.

Thus, Akeem and his confidant Semmi go to Queens and meet his son, Lavelle, bringing him back to Zamunda along with his mother, Mary. Once there they introduce him to Akeem’s family and the rest of the court, preparing him to become a prince and heir to the throne. Coming 2 America is available to stream now on Prime Video courtesy of Amazon Prime.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Movieweb.

You can view the original article HERE.

Taylor Swift Is Ace in the Hole for Justin Baldoni’s Lawyer in Blake Lively Case
Taylor Swift Is Ace in the Hole for Justin Baldoni’s Lawyer in Blake Lively Case
Lyra in ‘The Golden Compass’ ‘Memba Her?!
Lyra in ‘The Golden Compass’ ‘Memba Her?!
Their businesses were destroyed by the Southern California wildfires. They’re now seeing an outpouring of support, thanks to the Grammys.
Their businesses were destroyed by the Southern California wildfires. They’re now seeing an outpouring of support, thanks to the Grammys.
Dick Vermeil Says No Chance Andy Reid Retires After Super Bowl
Dick Vermeil Says No Chance Andy Reid Retires After Super Bowl
New ‘The Monkey’ Poster Pays Homage to Paul Schrader’s ‘Hardcore’
New ‘The Monkey’ Poster Pays Homage to Paul Schrader’s ‘Hardcore’
Clint Eastwood’s Kelly’s Heroes Takes Inspiration from the Western Genre
Clint Eastwood’s Kelly’s Heroes Takes Inspiration from the Western Genre
10 Great Performances from Sundance 2025 | Festivals & Awards
10 Great Performances from Sundance 2025 | Festivals & Awards
‘You’re Cordially Invited’ Stars Dish on Riffing with Will Ferrell & Reese Witherspoon
‘You’re Cordially Invited’ Stars Dish on Riffing with Will Ferrell & Reese Witherspoon
Murder Inc. Records Founder Passes Away at 54
Murder Inc. Records Founder Passes Away at 54
Boomtown survives official review after man’s death and local complaints
Boomtown survives official review after man’s death and local complaints
Bush’s Gavin Rossdale “can’t work out” how young musicians make a living: “It’s terrifying”
Bush’s Gavin Rossdale “can’t work out” how young musicians make a living: “It’s terrifying”
Benson Boone Apologizes for ‘Wardrobe Adjustment’ at Grammys
Benson Boone Apologizes for ‘Wardrobe Adjustment’ at Grammys
Gaudreau Brothers Had Higher BAC Than Sean Higgins at Time of Crash, Court Docs State
Gaudreau Brothers Had Higher BAC Than Sean Higgins at Time of Crash, Court Docs State
Clay Matthews Praises Myles Garrett For Browns Trade Demand
Clay Matthews Praises Myles Garrett For Browns Trade Demand
Progressive Jackpot: The Biggest Payout Slot Machine
Progressive Jackpot: The Biggest Payout Slot Machine
Report: Raiders hiring Chip Kelly as OC
Report: Raiders hiring Chip Kelly as OC
When Calls the Heart Season 12 Episode 6 Spoilers: Melissa Gilbert Begins Her Guest Arc as Georgie McGill
When Calls the Heart Season 12 Episode 6 Spoilers: Melissa Gilbert Begins Her Guest Arc as Georgie McGill
A Talented Cast Fail to Birth Good Comedy
A Talented Cast Fail to Birth Good Comedy
Everything We Know About ‘Bosch: Legacy’ Season 3
Everything We Know About ‘Bosch: Legacy’ Season 3
On NCIS: Origins Season 1 Episode 12, the Call Comes from Inside the Precinct When One of NIS’s Own Betrays the Team
On NCIS: Origins Season 1 Episode 12, the Call Comes from Inside the Precinct When One of NIS’s Own Betrays the Team
What To Expect From NYFW’s Fall 2025 Season
What To Expect From NYFW’s Fall 2025 Season
The Luxury Fashion Guru: Oxana Popkova’s Journey to Global Fashion Success
The Luxury Fashion Guru: Oxana Popkova’s Journey to Global Fashion Success
Tory Burch Bestsellers | PS Fashion
Tory Burch Bestsellers | PS Fashion
Grammy Awards Winners, Kate Moss & Isabel Marant Reunite
Grammy Awards Winners, Kate Moss & Isabel Marant Reunite