Movie Review: The Naked Gun

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As a devoted cinephile, I can’t help but reminisce about “The Naked Gun” series, a hilarious creation of the Zucker Brothers that starred the legendary Leslie Nielsen. It all started from the “Police Squad” television show, where we followed the chaotic escapades of Lieutenant Frank Drebben, a detective who was more bumbling than brilliant. Despite his constant clumsiness and knack for causing chaos without even realizing it, he somehow always managed to pull through, often at the expense of the police department’s reputation and public safety. It was a rollercoaster ride, watching him take on cases with reckless abandon!

The TV show, full of playful parodies, consistently employed clever puns and exaggerated humor, making it a fitting platform for Leslie Nielsen’s talents. His role in this series, which he carried forward to films like Airplane!, The Naked Gun trilogy, and Spy Hard, solidified his career as the iconic comedian known as “that guy from The Naked Gun.” To this day, the humor in The Naked Gun remains relevant by modern comedy standards, offering numerous memorable lines and jokes that endure. Despite being inept and struggling to keep up, our protagonist somehow manages to succeed, outsmarting villains and winning over audiences with his unwavering self-assurance and enthusiasm for police work.

A cherished trilogy that saw a decline in success, making a remake appear unlikely, especially with action icon Liam Neeson as the main actor. It was surprising to consider a revival, given that Leslie Nielsen and Liam Neeson share few similarities beyond being older white men. The new version of “The Naked Gun,” in essence, is a sequel set decades later where the “son of Drebben” attempts to follow his father’s footsteps at Police Squad… and thwart an international tech conglomerate conspiracy.

2025’s film by writer-director Akiva Schaffer aims to preserve the same brand of humor as “The Naked Gun,” by honoring Nielsen and the original cast with a steady stream of jokes, ranging from visually absurd gags to clever wordplay. The movie shares similarities with satire and spoof comedies in their shared tendency to treat everything lightly.

Liam Neeson gives an earnest performance in this film, responding to a role that becomes clearer upon viewing, as the tall actor pours all his effort into this peculiar brand of humor. Although he lacks the rubber-faced appeal or childlike innocence of Nielsen, who mastered the art of being a buffoon, Neeson commands respect due to his extensive background in action films, managing to deliver humor despite not being particularly known for it. He shares screen time with Pamela Anderson, stepping into Priscilla Presley’s heels and embracing the challenge of playing a femme fatale. Jack Huston reprises his villainous roles yet again, this time donning a sinister smile, contributing the necessary evil and global threat to the plot.

In the new adaptation of “The Naked Gun,” it gets off to a strong start, demonstrating its understanding of the material by skillfully blending action and humor. Compared to the original “The Naked Gun,” this updated version has a more lighthearted tone, striving to incorporate both comedy and action elements. Despite some genuinely funny moments that capture the essence of the original series, the film falters, much like “The Other Guys.” Sadly, the humor begins to fall flat after an initial lull, and despite increasing the stakes, the reboot fails to deliver consistent laughs.

“You have the most beautiful eyes… can I kiss them?”

Attempting to surpass such a cherished and distinctive series featuring an unmatchable lead actor was always going to be a daunting task for the new version of The Naked Gun. Regrettably, the revamped production falls short compared to its predecessor when it comes to the humor, acting, and that signature wink-wink appeal. Liam Neeson is not lacking in talent, but he fails to deliver the comedic timing required to induce laughter; instead, he focuses on a more serious approach to the scenes to ensure the jokes land. The film itself puts in an effort, attempting humor at every turn, yet it doesn’t quite recapture the magic of the original due to its reliance on repetitive humor that eventually becomes stale. Despite successfully executing many conceptual jokes and a good deal of wordplay, the production tends to lose steam as it loses faith in its ability to reinvent and rebound from its recurring gags.

In this revamped version of “The Naked Gun,” the relentless effort to amuse the audience is evident, keeping viewers engaged in anticipation of the next humorous moment. However, as the co-lead romance unfolds and the storyline hits its boundaries, the film’s quality dips from excellent to average. Despite this, it remains a delightful diversion at a time when laughter is particularly appreciated.

Regrettably, I found Akiva Schaffer’s endeavor to be primarily forgettable, despite some genuinely hilarious moments. The humor, characters, and modern twist just didn’t quite hit the mark for me. It seems that the jokes were overly reliant on each comedic swing, which gave it a forced feel that detracted from its potential success. In contrast, the transition from The Naked Gun felt much more organic, perhaps due to its star’s background in the TV series Police Squad.

Attempting a freeze-frame gag during the credits might seem like a smart move, but it ends up highlighting both the film’s initial potential and its subsequent flaws, as it doesn’t quite gel with the cast or effectively executes the humor. The Naked Gun reboot gives us insight into why the original was so funny and leaves you yearning to watch these films again to experience some of the zany comedy that made them so beloved in their heyday.

Reflecting upon it, I must admit my affection for this quirky comedy that’s seemingly lost its luster due to some less-than-stellar parodies as of late. It’s a testament to the intelligence required to pull off the art of being amusingly idiotic. This peculiar balancing act, while not perfect, is somewhat salvaged by its bursts of humor, particularly with Liam Neeson stepping out of his usual character and the comeback of Pamela Anderson. In essence, it’s a missed gem that somehow slipped through our fingers. Given the mixed success of this reboot, I find it hard to imagine a sequel being commissioned. However, there are enough genuinely funny moments to warrant giving it a chance.

The bottom line: Overcooked

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2025-08-03 21:43