MOVIE REVIEW: COMING 2 AMERICA

Set in the lush and royal country of Zamunda, newly-crowned King Akeem (Eddie Murphy) and his trusted confidante Semmi (Arsenio Hall) embark on an all-new hilarious adventure that has them traversing the globe from their great African nation to the borough of Queens, New York - where it all began.

Director: Craig Brewer

Cast: Eddie Murphy, Arsenio Hall, Jermaine Fowler, Leslie Jones, Tracy Morgan, KiKi Layne, Shari Headley, Teyana Taylor, Wesley Snipes, James Earl Jones

Release Date: December 18, 2020

Genre: Comedy

Rated PG-13 for crude and sexual content, language and drug content

Runtime: 1 h 50 min

Review:

Coming 2 America feels like many of recent unnecessary sequels to beloved classics in that it offers fun bits of nostalgia but never reaches the level of the original.  Craig Brewer’s film fits some familiar beats which will leave fans of the original happy but some maybe surprised to find that much of the film takes place in Zamunda and the story’s mainly focused on Jermaine Fowler’s character.  The story flips the script of the original by making the Folwer the outsider; it’s a decent if uninspired take.  Folwer is capable enough but he’s hardly on the same comedic talent level of Eddie Murphy or Arsenio Hall.  The latter do have plenty of chances to shine and they make great use of their screen time in revisiting their classic characters.  The supporting cast is filled with familiar faces with Wesley Snipes clearly having a ball playing General Izzi.  Ultimately, Coming 2 America is a fun little bit of comedic comfort food even if it’ll never touch the originals quality. 

C+

MOVIE REVIEW: FIST FIGHT

On the last day before summer vacation at a rough-and-tumble high school, mild-mannered teacher Andy Campbell (Charlie Day) accidentally causes his fearsome colleague Ron Strickland (Ice Cube) to be fired. When Strickland then challenges him to a fist fight after school, Campbell must find a way to avoid a vicious beating. Tracy Morgan, Jillian Bell, Christina Hendricks, Dean Norris, and Dennis Haysbert co-star in this comedy directed by Richie Keen. ~ Jack Rodgers, Rovi

 Director: Richie Keen

Cast: Ice Cube, Charlie Day, Tracy Morgan, Jillian Bell, Dean Norris

Release Date: Feb 17, 2017

Rated R for language Throughout, Drug Material and Sexual Content/Nudity

Runtime: 1 hr. 31 min.

Genres: Comedy

Fist Fight is a silly comedy that moves at a frantic pace the moment it starts.  Boasting an excellent comedic cast led by Charlie Day, it’s a mindless comedy that never takes itself overly seriously.  Charlie Day is put front and center and fans of his style of manic comedy will find plenty to like.  Richie Keen does a serviceable job of directing the comedy even though there are plenty of missed opportunities.  The most glaring issue is that the film doesn’t take full advantage of its cast with excellent actors like Christina Hendricks and Dean Norris showing up in glorified cameos more than actual roles.  Both roles feel like they could have been expanded a bit to flesh out the nightmare facility.  Luckily Keen keeps Ice Cube relegated to playing a scowling hothead, leaving the comedy to the pros.  It’s a good choice that pays off in the end, leaving the audience with a perfectly zany R rated comedy.

B-