Bark like a dog! 'Coming to America' turns 20
Anyone wondering why Eddie Murphy's "Coming to America" has been playing non-stop on cable movie channels lately? It's celebrating its 20th anniversary this year!
I'm going out on a limb here by saying this: "Coming to America" might be Eddie Murphy's best film ... period. Sure, you want rationale -- in list form, of course.
10 REASONS WHY 'COMING TO AMERICA' IS EDDIE'S BEST FLICK:
10. HELLO AGAIN AND GOODNIGHT: After two slightly subpar showings (Golden Child, Beverly Hills Cop 2), this movie is almost Eddie's swan song. So far, Eddie's only watchable flick after "Coming to America" is "Boomerang" (1992). It's also the last great flick by director John Landis.
9. MULTIPLE PERSONALITIES: This would be the first time Eddie played more than character, tackling Prince Akeem, Clarence the barber, Saul (the old white guy in the barber shop) and Randy Watson, the singer of the band Sexual Chocolate.
8. A NOD TO HIS HERO: Richard Pryor was a big influence on a young Eddie Murphy. So when it came time to pick a name for his fictional African country, Eddie chose "Zamunda" -- a name Pryor used in an old comedy bit.
7. BEST FAKE PRODUCT EVER: "Just let your Soul-Glo!" I dare say just about anyone who ever saw this movie can still sing along to the TV commercial. "Feeling all so silky smooth!" [Watch it again]
6. THEY CAN BE FUNNY TOO: Still not convinced? What about James Earl Jones playing a comedy role? Or future "E.R." moper Eriq La Salle as the "Soul Glo" heir? Brilliant. And you gotta love the cameo performances by Samuel L. Jackson and Louie Anderson. (And the kid getting his hair cut in the barber shop -- Cuba Gooding Jr.)
5. ARSENIO CAN ACT: Even Arsenio Hall, the Bud Abbott of the '80s, shows some rare acting skills here. Whatever happened to him?
4. THE FORCE IS STRONG WITH HIM: Star Wars freaks out there, did you catch James Earl Jones' "Darth Vader" homage? When King Jaffe Joffer comes looking for Akeem, he tells Mr. McDowell, "Do not alert him to my presence. I'll deal with him myself."
3. THE SEQUEL FACTOR: Our fond memory of two other great Murphy flicks -- "48 Hours" and "Beverly Hills Cop" -- is tainted by the criminally awful sequels they spawned. Thankfully, at the end of "Coming To America," everyone lives happily ever after -- sequel-free.
2. "WE'RE BACK!" One of the funniest scenes: The "Duke Brothers"
-- Randy and Mortimer -- from 1983's "Trading Places" are bums on the
street until former co-star Murphy hands them a bag of money.
1. THE GREAT LINES OF COURSE: "There is a very fine line between love and nausea" ... "Bark like a dog -- a big dog!" ... "My buns have no seeds" ... "The royal penis is clean, your Highness."
Relive the music, movies and culture of the greatest decade ever with Times online editor Steve Spears. A teen during the decade, Steve is obsessed with everything from Duran Duran to Journey, John Hughes to John Cusack, and parachute pants to Reaganomics.
E-mail Steve Spears:
My fav line is: I warned you. But you wouldn't listen. Get 'em Dottie! Ruff!
Posted by: Movie Guru | December 14, 2008 at 10:16 PM
Definitely his best, based on it's rewatchability.
I also have a fondness for The Golden Child.
Posted by: The Lunchbox | April 04, 2008 at 02:50 PM
"Sexual Chocolate"!
Posted by: Lotus Elise | April 01, 2008 at 01:55 AM
Another random cameo to be seen is Garcelle Bouvias (sp?) as a flower girl...later to co-star in Jamie Foxx's sitcom, and is a solid hottie I might add.
Posted by: Franklin Withercutty | March 31, 2008 at 04:09 PM
Come on, Steve... "Bowfinger" was Eddie's last great movie (and the only one worth watching since "CtA")
Posted by: Doc Hamilton | March 30, 2008 at 07:23 AM
Hey Dave -- Thanks for the shout-out. Yes, the great "Taste my soup" routine, which is only seen if you stick around during the closing credits.
"Ahh-HAAA"
My favorite lines are the really the ones I can't print in this blog. Like, "What does dumb-f--- mean?"
Posted by: Spears | March 29, 2008 at 03:48 PM
I still quote this movie at work. Especially the "Stay off the drugs" bit. A true classic of comedy.
And who can forget "Taste my soup"
Posted by: DAVE ID | March 29, 2008 at 03:38 PM
I'm glad to se that I'm not in the minority when I say I love this movie. James Earl Jones is great as Eddie's father.
Posted by: Bassnote | March 29, 2008 at 11:51 AM
"Trading Places" holds up pretty well for me. "Coming to America" has some truly awesome lines, as you've pointed out, Steve. He started a rage by playing more than one character and doing so convincingly.
Posted by: Marissa | March 29, 2008 at 10:11 AM
I realize I'm upsetting the whole Pluto Nash contingent out there with this blog post, but I'm sticking to my guns this time around.
Posted by: Spears | March 29, 2008 at 09:46 AM
Very convincing arguement, Mr. Spears. One with which I completely concur. Definitely Eddie's best flick.
Some tidbits celebrating one of my fave parts of the film:
http://profile.imeem.com/HyCuHV/music/2fPTB_ta/coming_to_america_soul_glow/
http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh55/citizenjane1234/soulgloqz9.gif
Posted by: jane | March 29, 2008 at 09:38 AM