Akeem, who becomes king upon his father’s death, learns he unknowingly sired a son during that Queens trip three decades ago (it was Semmi’s fault!) He needs a male heir to cement his power. In this case, the need is not a bride, but a male heir. The plot follows a familiar trajectory, beginning in Zamunda and traveling to Queens to solve a major need. Among notable musical appearances, Gladys Knight sings “Midnight Train From Zamunda.” Another “Saturday Night Live” face, Colin Jost, makes the most of a brief cameo. Celebrity guests include a highly amusing Wesley Snipes as flamboyant General Izzi, leader of Nexdoria (next door) Tracy Morgan as Lavelle’s uncle and Jones as his uninhibited mother. And of course the My-T-Sharp barbershop crew is back in Queens.Ī new presence is the casually appealing Jermaine Fowler as Lavelle, Akeem’s previously unknown son. John Amos is back as Lisa’s dad, still ripping off McDonald’s. Also back: the stately James Earl Jones as King Jaffe Joffer Shari Headley as Lisa (a seriously underwritten role) and Louie Anderson as Maurice. So is Arsenio Hall, as trusty sidekick Semmi (and a bunch of other roles). Obviously Murphy is back, as producer and star. Especially because, despite the knowing references to urban gentrification, transgender offspring, Teslas and even unnecessary movie sequels, little has really changed. Still, just like we go to college reunions 30 years later to recapture the magic, fans of the first will flock to it on Amazon Prime. It has set pieces and choreography and de-aging technology and overlaying plot lines. Carter (an Oscar winner for “Black Panther”). It has seemingly everything - the original cast, some well-known newcomers, high-profile cameos - and eye-popping costumes by the great Ruth E. The bad news is that this sequel, despite (or perhaps because of) its nod to modern sensibilities, isn’t nearly as funny or edgy as the original.
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