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Coming to America Review

Other Critics provided by Metacritic.com

Critics scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 3.0
    48

    out of 100

    Metascore®
    Mixed or average reviews
    based on a weighted average of all
    critic review scores.

  • 10

    out of 100

    Variety

    Coming to America starts on a bathroom joke, quickly followed by a gag about private parts, then wanders in search of something equally original for Eddie Murphy to do for another couple of hours. It's a true test for loyal fans.

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  • 10

    out of 100

    Time Richard Schickel

    Coming to America seems to be more career move than movie. After the raucousness of Beverly Hills Cop II and the raunchiness of Eddie Murphy Raw, the star apparently wants to assert his claim on the currently vacant title of America's Sweetheart. His aspirations must be bigger and badder than that. We want -- may actually need -- something more from this gifted man than Eddie Murphy Tame. [4 July 1988 p.66]

  • 10

    out of 100

    Los Angeles Times Sheila Benson

    James Earl Jones proves that he is probably the only actor in America who can wear the skin of a full-grown lion-jewels in its eyes, its tail in its mouth-over street clothes and not look like a damn fool. But there's not a thing he can do with this flaccid, foolish film. [29 Jun 1988, p.1]

  • 50

    out of 100

    USA Today

    There are some laughs, Murphy is appealing and the ancient theme of love conquering all is beguiling. But America's mean-spiritedness lingers after its pastel-pretty ending.

  • 70

    out of 100

    The New York Times Vincent Canby

    Though Coming to America is a romantic comedy the director steers the film more often toward quick, in-and-out comic situations and gags that are only mildly funny. In part this is due to the fact that Mr. Murphy plays the prince with cheerful, low-keyed innocence that is completely legitimate, but is not supported by the short attention span of the screenplay. The romance is tepid.

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  • 88

    out of 100

    Chicago Tribune Gene Siskel

    It's a sweet, oft-told story, and Murphy and Hall add a number of very sharp supporting roles-hidden by makeup-to add spice to the general level of gentleness. [1 Jul 1988, p.A]

  • See all Coming to America reviews at Metacritic.com

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For Families provided by Common Sense Media

Iffy for 14+

Silly, curse-happy '80s Eddie Murphy vehicle.

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.

  • 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.

The good stuff
  • message true0

    Messages: Not an issue

What to watch for
  • violence false0

    Violence: Cartoonish scuffling in several scenes.

  • sex false3

    Sex: Bare breasts are lingered upon just minutes into the movie; contact between the movie's royals and their servants is discussed explicitly.

  • language false5

    Language: More f-words and other epithets than you can shake a stick at.

  • consumerism false0

    Consumerism: Not an issue

  • drugsalcoholtobacco false3

    Drinking, drugs and smoking: Characters are shown drinking cocktails and beer at a bar and at home.

An independent nonprofit dedicated to providing families the information they need to help kids thrive in a world of media and technology.

© Common Sense Media Inc. 2010. All rights reserved.

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Fan Reviews provided by

Average Rating: 3.613
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by TerpsFan72

5

by Britney Siren

5

by 911dew

3

by Hyperlith

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