Coming to America Blu-ray Review

"Coming to America" on Blu-ray delivers an experience that is somewhat a mixed bag. The 1080p, 1.78:1-framed transfer showcases the film with a level of clarity and vibrancy that notably surpasses previous standard-definition releases. Initially, viewers might be underwhelmed by the hazy and dull appearance of the title sequence and the obvious matte paintings used to depict the African setting. However, as the movie progresses, the video quality significantly improves, showcasing acceptable levels of detail in clothing, faces, objects, and architectural elements. The presentation excels in the depiction of the intricate adornments featured in Zamunda, providing a display that's bright, with colors appearing natural and pleasing, albeit slightly faded in certain scenes. Whites tend to be overblown occasionally, and while the film’s grain adds a theatrical texture, it also presents with minimal blemishes.

The comparison between the Blu-ray's AVC MPEG-4 codec and the HD DVD’s VC-1 reveals marginal differences, with the latter boasting slightly richer colors and sharper details. Despite these variances, both formats offer an enhanced viewing experience with natural skin tones, generally deep black levels, and a commendable rendition of textures - particularly in scenes set in Zamunda. The dimensional quality of the picture sees a notable improvement, lending the film a more lifelike appearance than its DVD predecessor.

Nevertheless, the upgrade isn't without its drawbacks. Set pieces in New York suffer from drab colors and uninspiring backgrounds, a stark contrast to the vibrant start in Zamunda. Fine detail fluctuates throughout the film, with some shots appearing soft and others marred by noise or faint blocking, especially in areas of flat color. Despite these issues, "Coming to America" on Blu-ray marks a discernible step up from its standard-definition versions, yet falls short of reaching the high-def excellence seen in other catalog titles. This mixed performance underscores the challenge of uniformly upgrading older films to meet contemporary high-definition standards, placing this release somewhere in the middle of the pack for catalog title transfers.

Paramount's release of "Coming to America" on Blu-ray features a Dolby Digital 5.1 audio mix, which, while not lossless, delivers a performance that is both spacious and enjoyable. The mix shines particularly in its musical reproduction, effortlessly handling tribal, orchestral, and popular tunes with a consistency that flows well through the front channels, supported by occasional low-frequency enhancements. However, the sound effects presentation is slightly underwhelming, missing the crispness and depth that could have been achieved with a superior lossless soundtrack. The audio dynamics tend to emphasize the front channels, resulting in a sound experience that, despite its clarity and balance, falls short of being fully immersive.

The audio package does not escape criticism for its lack of depth and detail in sound staging, particularly noticeable in scenes meant to be bustling with activity, such as New York's lively streets which come across as superficial compared to the real thing. Dialogue sometimes gets lost amidst the overall mix, and while the soundtrack's vibrancy is commendable for its earthy drum beats and stable trebles, this highlights a disparity in quality between the musical score and the rest of the audio elements. This inconsistency somewhat diminishes the overall auditory experience, suggesting a lack of cohesive sound design focus.

Despite these setbacks, the Blu-ray's audio does not seem to suffer in comparison to the HD DVD's higher bitrate offering, indicating that both formats share similar disappointments regarding immersive sound quality and clarity. This parity suggests that the transfer's shortcomings are not mitigated by technical specifications alone. Thus, while the film's score manages to stand out for its fidelity and balance, it further accentuates the missed opportunity for a more robust and detailed audio presentation across the board.

This special collector's edition Blu-ray of "Coming to America" encompasses a well-curated assortment of extras, reflective of the film's enduring legacy and the comprehensive effort behind its making. It includes behind-the-scenes featurettes such as Prince-ipal Photography: The Coming Together of America, offering in-depth discussions with the cast and crew on the movie's conceptualization and production nuances, underscored by Eddie Murphy's significant involvement. The extras also delve into the intricate costume design in Fit For Akeem: The Costumes of 'Coming to America', alongside Character Building: The Many Faces of Rick Baker, showcasing Baker's transformative makeup artistry. Nile Rodgers’ contribution is explored in Composing America: The Musical Talents of Nile Rodgers, while a nostalgic element is added with A Vintage Sit-Down With Eddie & Arsenio. Despite the absence of recent interviews or a commentary track, this edition succeeds in providing exclusive content not found in previous releases, highlighted by firsthand insights and a rich photo gallery, albeit the non-theatrical trailers and other materials are in lower resolution compared to the trailer’s full 1080p.

Extras included in this disc:

• Prince-ipal Photography: The Coming Together of America: A dive into the film's genesis, casting, and legacy.
• Fit For Akeem: The Costumes of 'Coming to America': Examination of the film's wardrobe design.
• Character Building: The Many Faces of Rick Baker: Highlighting Rick Baker's makeup work.
• Composing America: The Musical Talents of Nile Rodgers: A look at Rodgers' contributions to the film's score.
• A Vintage Sit-Down With Eddie & Arsenio: Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall reminisce about the film.
• Photo Gallery: Collection of images from the film.
• Theatrical Trailer: Presented in 1080p.

"Coming to America," a classic Eddie Murphy comedy from the late 1980s, presents the delightful tale of Prince Akeem of Zamunda and his quest for true love in the bustling boroughs of New York City. Despite its age, this film retains a timeless charm and resonates with audiences even today, transcending the era of its release. The Blu-ray edition brings this vivid narrative to life with an impeccable transfer that does justice to both the visual aesthetics and the dynamic sound design of the original film. The clarity and detail of the high-definition transfer illuminate the extravagant settings of Zamunda and the contrasting urban landscape of New York, while the robust audio track encapsulates every laugh and musical note with crisp precision.

Eddie Murphy's performance as Akeem is nothing short of iconic, showcasing his ability to inhabit varied roles with ease and charisma. Not only does Murphy shine as the noble prince, but his portrayals in smaller roles demonstrate his versatile comedic talent, albeit without the reliance on prosthetics that characterized his later works. The supporting cast, including Arsenio Hall as Semmi, James Earl Jones as King Jaffe Joffer, and John Amos as Cleo McDowell, complement Murphy's performance with their own memorable contributions. The chemistry between characters enriches the narrative, delivering a blend of humor, romance, and socio-cultural commentary that feels engaging and genuine.

While "Coming to America" navigates the familiar tropes of a fish-out-of-water romantic comedy with aplomb, it stands out for its heartfelt storytelling and Murphy's magnetic lead role. The movie deftly balances comedy with a critique of societal norms and expectations, making it more than just a pursuit of love but a poignant exploration of identity and tradition versus personal happiness. This Blu-ray presentation not only celebrates the film's enduring legacy but also reintroduces it to new audiences, ensuring that its humor, warmth, and cultural impact continue to be appreciated.

The Blu-ray presentation of "Coming to America" sparks a blend of nostalgia and mild disappointment, showcasing the comedic genius of Eddie Murphy in a film that stands as a testament to the magic of his heyday. The movie itself is embraced for its straightforward, albeit predictably entertaining narrative enriched by vibrant characters, despite leaning heavily into the realm of improbability. This classic comedy navigates through its lackluster script with ease, buoyed by performances that capture the essence of what made the '80s cinema memorably amusing. However, when it comes to the high-definition remastering expected of a Blu-ray release, Paramount's effort is met with mixed feelings. The audio quality, limited to a Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack, performs adequately but falls short of delivering an immersive audio experience that aficionados of the format might anticipate. Visually, the transfer is deemed solid though not exceptional, leaving room for future improvement should a more polished edition be released.

Regarding supplementary content, the package provided offers a modicum of value-added material that hardly compensates for the overall presentation's deficiencies, particularly when held against contemporary high-definition catalog offerings. The expectation of pristine video quality and robust audio typically associated with Blu-ray formats seems unfulfilled, dampening the nostalgia for followers of this beloved '80s milestone. Despite these technical shortcomings, for enthusiasts of Murphy's work and collectors alike, this edition of "Coming to America" finds its place as a respectable, if not essential, addition to their libraries.

In conclusion, while the Blu-ray release of "Coming to America" revisits Eddie Murphy's comedic brilliance with a certain charm, it undeniably lacks the technical polish fans might hope for from a high-definition upgrade. With audiovisual aspects that do not fully capitalize on the potential enhancements of the format, it stands as a reminder of missed opportunities in reviving classic cinema for modern audiences. Nonetheless, it remains recommended for those seeking to relive the nostalgia of Murphy's era or introduce it to newcomers, albeit with tempered expectations regarding the presentation's fidelity.