Coming to America

This summer, prince akeem discovers america.

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An African prince decides it’s time for him to find a princess... and his mission leads him and his most loyal friend to Queens, New York. In disguise as an impoverished immigrant, the pampered prince quickly finds himself a new job, new friends, new digs, new enemies and lots of trouble.

Crew

Barry W. Blaustein

Screenplay

David Sheffield

Screenplay

John Landis

Director

Director of Photography
- Sol Negrin
- Woody Omens
Editor
- George Folsey Jr.
- Malcolm Campbell
Executive Producer
- Leslie Belzberg
- Mark Lipsky
Story
- Eddie Murphy

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Cast

Eddie Murphy

Prince Akeem / Clarence / Randy Watson / Saul

Arsenio Hall

Semmi / Extremely Ugly Girl / Morris / Reverend Brown

James Earl Jones

King Jaffe Joffer

John Amos

Cleo McDowell

Shari Headley

Lisa McDowell

Full cast

Reviews

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Hasn't aged flawlessly, made some stylistic decisions that probably would have come across as weird even at the time, and not the sort of thing (American comedy) that typically appeals to me. But I can still absolutely see why Coming to America is remembered as fondly as it is. I liked it by and large more than the most similar offerings of today.

_Final rating:★★½ - Not quite for me, but I definitely get the appeal._

Gimly / TMDB review

I didn't enjoy it as much as expected, but 'Coming to America' is nevertheless still good.

Eddie Murphy is unsurprisingly the star of the film. Any notable scenes include him, which isn't a shock given the obvious and the fact he plays a number of characters; on that note, only Akeem amused me - the barber shop guys... not so much, to be honest.

James Earl Jones (Jaffe), John Amos (Cleo) and Frankie Faison (landlord) are the most noteworthy in terms of those away from the lead, while there is even an appearance from someone named Samuel L. Jackson - what ever happened to that guy?!

I wanted/anticipated much stronger humour, if only due to Murphy's presence. I can't say I laughed that much, which is disappointing. The romance parts are probably more memorable to me, even if it's kinda familiar in those regards. With all that said, I can see why loads thoroughly enjoy this - it just didn't fully land on me, personally.

Still worth viewing and I'm very much up to see the sequel.

R96sk / TMDB review

My all-time favorite comedy

In "Coming to America" (1988) Eddie Murphy plays the likable prince of a rich African kingdom, Akeem. He comes to Queens to find his future queen accompanied by his best friend & servant, Semmi, played by Arsenio Hall. He understandably wants a wife who will love him for who he is and not for his great riches. So they get hired at McDowell's, a McDonald's knock-off, where he meets the shining daughter of the owner (Shari Headley). Is she the one? Will she find a fast-food mop boy appealing enough to marry?

As noted in my title blurb, "Coming to America" is my all-time favorite comedy. Why? Simply because it's a laugh-riot from beginning to end. The first time I saw it was on TV in 2000 and I couldn't stop laughing; I saw it again last night (after purchasing it) and it had the same effect.

Everything works here -- the characters, the jokes, the story -- to make "Coming to America" one of the greatest comedies ever made.

GRADE: A+

Wuchak / TMDB review