Review of Coming to America 2

Aug 8, 2024

Lecture on 'Coming to America 2' Review

Introduction

  • Sequel to Coming to America: Recommendation to watch the first movie, it's more enjoyable.
  • Main plot: Akeem, played by Eddie Murphy, discovers he has a son in America who is brought back to be the heir to the throne.

Key Elements Liked

  • Wesley Snipes: Portrays a military leader/dictator of a neighboring land. Adds depth by introducing new locations.

Plot Parallels and Issues

  • Repetitive Plot: Similar to the original movie with arranged marriage and falling in love with someone else.
  • Comparison with Original: Difficult not to compare because of similar plot beats.

Comedy Analysis

  • Importance of Comedy: Main goal is to make viewers laugh.
  • Original vs. Sequel: The original had humor based on the absurdity of royal wealth. The sequel relies on quick jokes and comebacks, targeting character interactions rather than audience laughter.

Problems with Modern Comedy

  • On-the-nose jokes: Modern comedies tend to explain jokes too much, treating the audience as if they are not smart enough to understand.
  • Example: The phrase 'Heavy is the head that wears the crown' is explained in detail, which undermines the audience's intelligence.
  • Creepy Preacher Character: Known from the first movie, repeatedly called 'sexist preacher' to ensure the audience understands, lacking subtlety.
  • Impact of Social Media: Fear of backlash on platforms like Twitter leads to over-explaining jokes to avoid misunderstanding and potential cancel culture.

Conclusion

  • Self-awareness: The movie is aware of its shortcomings and even jokes about unnecessary sequels.
  • Forgettable: Ultimately, the movie is not memorable and lacks the heart and purity of the original.

Final Thoughts

  • Encouragement to share opinions and engage with content, with a call to action to watch more reviews.