 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Coming to America
- Review Date: November 10, 2005
- R
- Genre: Comedy
- 1988
Common Sense Media says
Silly, curse-happy '80s Eddie Murphy vehicle.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that there's plenty of foul language and some negative female stereotypes to watch out for here.
What's the story?
COMING TO AMERICA centers around pampered African Prince Akeem (Eddie Murphy), heir to the throne and fabulous riches. He's reached marriageable age, and his parents have found him a suitable bride. But Akeem wants a woman who loves him for what he is, not what he has, and he travels to America with his valet Semmi (Arsenio Hall) to find his soul mate. He finds one in the person of Lisa (Shari Headley), the daughter of a Queens restaurateur whose jealous boyfriend is the scion of a chain of African-American hair products called Soul-Glo.
Is it any good?
Despite some sexist and racist quirks, COMING TO AMERICA comes through as a funny trip back to the comedy stylings of 1988. Everything about the film is fairly predictable. Lisa and Akeem get together in the most standard boy-meets-girl/boy-loses-girl/boy-gets-girl-in-the-end way possible.
The movie has its moments -- Murphy and Hall play multiple roles in the movie, and certainly Murphy was in his prime. Some sexist and lurid overtones are cringe-worthy, but it's small potatoes compared to the fat-suited Murphy of today
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about the role of women in society -- what's your view? Do you think it's something to joke about like they do here? They could also discuss the pros and cons of arranged marriages, and the way other countries view Americans.
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- Teens & kids
Teen, 14 years old
July 10, 2010
AGE
dont have to watch the R rated version
If ur kid wants to seethis movie than theres a pg version that has no f words and that sex seen is taken out.
What other families should know:
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Teen, 17 years old
April 9, 2008
AGE
Funny stuff
Funny, little known gem!
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Teen, 15 years old
January 8, 2011
AGE
Little ones, stay away.
This was a great movie. Funny. I always wondered why my mom always talked about it, now I know why. This was pretty much an non-seasonal, adult version of Elf. A man in a new world. This man happens to be prince searching for a bride in America. He meets Lisa. Oh-la-la-Lisa.
You see bare boob's several times. Sammie is seen 'playing around'. Many F-words slip. At least 35-45.
The role models are great and so is the plot. Learn to love even if they are a Sheep Header or a Prince or a Fast Food Worker. All in all, A great FILM!
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Teen, 15 years old
December 31, 2011
AGE
AH HA!
I saw this movie when I was 7 and to this day when there is an awkward moment my father and I will say:
"One time, I went to a restaurant and asked the waiter if he would please come over. He kept asking me what was wrong so I said: Look. At the soup. Sir, this bowl is empty. AH HA!" To put it simply. But still I do remember the royal servents being naked and the guy saying stuff like: I haven't had s** in weeks! O_o Ummmm ok. Other than that, awesome! It is rated R though, so yeah.
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Teen, 13 years old
October 26, 2012
AGE
boobs
smoking weed is good
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| Studio: | Paramount Pictures |
| Director: | John Landis |
| Cast: | Arsenio Hall, Eddie Murphy, James Earl Jones |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 114 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | January 1, 1988 |
| DVD release date: | March 9, 1999 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
| MPAA explanation: | language and sex. |
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