In this slight comic sequel, the African prince of the 1988 original (Eddie Murphy) succeeds his father (James Earl Jones) as king and learns that he has a son (Jermaine Fowler). He was conceived during a marijuana-addled one-night stand while he was in Queens, New York, in search of the worthy consort (Shari Headley) who has long been his spouse. The arrival in the sovereign’s realm of this unpolished heir and his equally down-to-earth mother (Leslie Jones) sets up a clash of manners and a rivalry with the ruler’s eldest daughter (KiKi Layne) who, as a woman, is legally barred from inheriting the throne. Political complications, meanwhile, are brought on by the schemes of the military dictator (Wesley Snipes) of an impoverished neighboring country. Working from a script by a quartet of screenwriters, director Craig Brewer relies on spectacle and low-minded gags to fill out their insubstantial story. Good-natured mugging draws the odd smile. But when the dialogue turns serious, as it does with a recurring feminist theme, the baldness of the proceedings cannot be disguised. Much sexual and some scatological humor, references to prostitution, several mild oaths, about a dozen crude terms, considerable crass talk. The Catholic News Service classification is A-III — adults. The Motion Picture Association rating is PG-13 — parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.
Coming 2 America
