Plot: What’s it about?
Prince Akeem (Eddie Murphy) is the heir to the throne of Zamuna, which means down the road, he will rule over Africa’s richest nation. He has all the luxuries a man could want, including women who fall at his feet because of his social status. But to Akeem, this isn’t the kind of love he wants, but his parents follow the traditions of Zamunda, which means an arranged marriage will soon have to take place. Akeem wants to find a woman who loves him for who he is on the inside, not because he is rich or royalty, but in his native Zamunda, that would be impossible. So Akeem decides to take drastic measures and travels to America, joined by his right hand man Semmi (Arsenio Hall). After all, if there is a place in the world to find a worthy companion, it would be Queens, right? Akeem tries to blend in and hide his roots, but he still stands out at times. Can he find true love and even if he does, how will things change when the truth is revealed?
Whenever I think of Coming to America, I think of Trading Places. Eddie Murphy heads up both films, John Landis helmed both, and of course, the Dukes even show up in both. But both are also hilarious and have the same kind of sense of humor, so if you like one, you’ll probably like both. I prefer Trading Places, but Coming to America more than holds its own. While not populated with as many memorable characters, we do get to see countless roles played by the same actors. These days we’re used to seeing Murphy buried under makeup and prosthetics, but here it seems fresh and of course, Murphy shines even in these varied personas. The story here is pretty basic, fish out of water type stuff, but it works. The writing is great and provides some quotable lines, while the cast is also good, especially Murphy, of course. Paramount’s Special Collector’s Edition adds some worthwhile supplements, so fans will want to upgrade, without question.
Video: How does it look?
Coming to America is presented in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen. Paramount is known for some great catalog title transfers and this one is no exception. Of course, the film’s visual style is very dated and reeks of the ’80s, but the materials have been well presented in this release, which is a relief. The bold, vibrant colors of the ’80s look as tacky as ever, which is good news of course, while flesh tones seem natural and warm also. A few of the darker scenes some show grain, but still look decent and most of the time, contrast is more than solid. So this one won’t win any awards for detail depth or pristine elements, but I am sure fans will be quite satisfied here.
Audio: How does it sound?
This isn’t really an audio driven picture, but the music does need some push, which the included Dolby Digital 5.1 surround track is able to provide. I mean, don’t expect the power of an action flick by any means, but as far as the material’s needs, this option is more than adequate in all respects. The music comes through well, though it lacks the oomph I’d like at times, no real issues, however. The various sound effects surface in decent form also, though remember that this is not an impact driven audio experience by any means. The vocals are sharp and refined here, with no volume errors to contend with in the least. This disc also includes a 2.0 surround option, a French language track, and subtitles in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.
Supplements: What are the extras?
About an hour of featurettes is found here, the most substantial of which is a general behind the scenes piece. You won’t find any new cast interviews, which is a let down, but there is some decent footage to be seen. A twelve minute piece on the film’s makeup designs is quite cool, so don’t miss that one. Also of note is a look into the film’s musical soundtrack, a special look at the film’s costumes, and vintage interviews with Murphy and Hall, from promotional material. This disc also includes the film’s theatrical trailer, which is always a welcome inclusion.
