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Coming To America [1988]
from Paramount Home Entertainment
starring Eddie Murphy, Arsenio Hall, James Earl Jones, John Amos, Madge Sinclair
directed by John Landis

Features:

• Anamorphic
• Dubbed
• PAL
• Widescreen

Editorial Review:

Eddie Murphy's 1988 vehicle Coming to America was probably the point at which his status as a mainstream big-screen comedian finally gelled, following the highly successful 48 Hours pairing with Nick Nolte. Never mind the hackneyed storyline: under John Landis's tight direction, he turns in a star performance (and several brilliant cameos) that is disciplined and extremely funny.

Murphy plays an African prince who comes to New York officially to sow his wild oats. Privately, he is seeking a bride he can marry for love rather than one chosen by his parents. With his companion (Arsenio Hall, who pushes Murphy all the way in the comedy stakes), he settles in the borough of Queens and takes a job in a hamburger joint. A succession of hilarious satire-barbed adventures ensue, plus the required romantic conclusion. The script is crammed with ripe one-liners , but "Freeze, you diseased rhinoceros pizzle" has to be the most devastating hold-up line of all time. Film buffs will appreciate a brief appearance by Don Ameche as a down-and-out, but this is Murphy's film and he generates warmth enough to convert the most ambivalent viewer.

On the DVD: The only--rather pointless--extra on offer is the original theatrical trailer which adds nothing apart from a rapid recap of the story. But the 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen presentation (the picture quality is diamond sharp) and Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack recreate the original authentic cinematic experience. The choreography of 1980s pop diva Paula Abdul in the lavish wedding scenes and Nile Rodgers' pounding musical score are the main beneficiaries. --Piers Ford

Customer Reviews:

• Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0

• Now THIS is Eddie Murphy at his finest!
  ...not that NORBIT rubbish!
  - Golden Child? Great
  - Dr Doolittle(s)? No probs
  - Daddy Day Care? Good
  - 48 Hours and BHills Cop aren't my cup-of-tea but are classic Murphy.
  - COMING TO AMERICA is the best!
  - NORBIT is far and away the closest to 'Donkey' that Eddie Murphy has come to (and that says something considering he voiced 'Donkey' in the Shrek films which were great!)
  If you like Eddie Murphy, watch Coming To America again - do not watch Norbit! And if you're... more info

• Worth a Date
  After several years of starring in rowdy action comedies and con man capers, Eddie Murphy gets a chance to deliver a more restrained performance with this film and he manages to do so very well. Murphy portrays Akeem, an African prince who is being pressured into a forced marriage by his parents (James Earl Jones, Madge Sinclair). The woman that they have chosen for him only sees him for his royalty and therefore does not really love him. Akeem sees this right away and brings his loyal servant, Semi... more info

• Is this a comedy?????
  After reading all the other reviews i can safely say that i'm sure they watched a different film from me. beacause after hearing how funny that coming to america was i watheced it expecting a comedy of when edie murphy was funny unlike everything he has done in the past 15 years but unfortunatley this film is as terrible as such disaster as pluto nash, and daddy day care .

• 'He helped Gilligan get off the island!'
  Quite simply one of the funniest films I have ever seen. Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall are comic dynamite as Akeem and Semi - and all of the other characters they play in the film! There are so many moments of pure comic brilliance in this film but my favourite parts of the film are the scenes set in the barber shop and the scenes involving Arsenio Hall's Reverend Brown. I have watched this film over and over again and I still laugh every time I see it. Pure comic genius.

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