Lazy in its reliance on nostalgia and lacking bite in its material, Coming 2 America is void of the inventiveness and charm that made the original a beloved cult-classic, all the while centring its story on a date-rape plot-device that is waved away with disturbing ease.

Released 33 years after the John Landis directed Coming to America, this sequel proves to be a charmless and odd follow-up that only tarnishes the legacy of its cult-classic original.  Directed by Craig Brewer (Hustle & Flow), Coming 2 America aims to blend Wakanda-like world building and the easy-on-the-eye excess of Crazy Rich Asians within a modern love story, but fails on all levels, resulting in a dud of a comedy that plays for cheap laughs presented in lazy fashion.

The film begins with the lovable Prince Akeem (Eddie Murphy) living a life of royal splendour as not only the heir to the fictional African nation of Zamuda, but also husband to Princess Lisa (Shari Headley) and father to three daughters (KiKi Layne, Bella Murphy, Akiley Love). Trouble arises when neighbouring warlord General Izzi (Wesley Snipes) threatens invasion while the ruler of Zamunda, King Joffrey (James Earl Jones), lies on his death bed.

Now this is where things get really icky. It turns out that when Prince Akeem was searching for is bride in the New York City borough of Queens all those years ago, he was drugged and raped (you read that right) by the crass Mary (Leslie Jones) and, unbeknownst to Akeem, she bore his son Lavelle (Jermaine Fowler). A shocked yet somewhat pleased Akeem travels to America to find his son and finally secure a male-heir in line for the throne.

The script for Coming 2 America was in the works for years. Exactly how anyone involved thought it was fine for a date-rape to be included as a plot-device is mind boggling, especially in this climate where sexual abuse stories in Hollywood and beyond has become a pressing issue.

Even placing that issue aside, Coming 2 America is a film wrought with a multitude of problems. First and foremost, the films central character of Lavelle is a bore, void of any charm, personality, or an engaging story to grab the viewer into investing in his rags-to-riches story. Equally unfortunate is that actor Jermaine Fowler just does not have the screen presence to make up for the faults of the undercooked writing.

Eddie Murphy is equally tiresome in his return as Prince Akeem, relying on his usual bag of tricks to generate laughs, but only achieving the slightest of chuckles. Even his forays into other characters, such as the occupants in the MY-T Sharp barbershop feels neutered, no doubt the consequence of creating a PG-13 comedy for a hard-swearing late ‘80s classic in which the best jokes had plenty of f-bombs for added effect.

None of the returning actors (and there are an impressive many) bring much to the table, while new additions such as Tracy Morgan and especially Leslie Jones confuse loud and crass for funny. Only Wesley Snipes as an ambitious warlord makes much of an impression.

The world building is a waste. Ample opportunity is given to explore Zamunda as a nation of wealth, culture, and resources, yet most of the scenes are delegated to the palace interiors which is generic in style and creation. An alluring aspect of the first Coming to America was the fish-out-of-water story in which a wealthy prince tries to fit into the ghettos of New York City. This sequel doesn’t provide that opportunity, relegating Lavelle to the part of irritating house guest above all else.

The comedy is equally dull. Many of the same comedy hits and moments that made the first film great are rehashed, but done so with lazy spirit, a lack of testicular fortitude, and an ignorant belief that nostalgia for nostalgia’s sake equals comedy gold. Director Crag Brewer has a solid resume of films. Hell, he even made the remake of Footloose enjoyable. From its generic title to its questionable creative decisions, Coming 2 America is anything but.