Read Time: 4 min
Release Date | 1 August 2025 |
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Director | Akiva Schaffer |
Distributed By | Paramount Pictures |
Writers | Dan Gregor, Doug Mand, Akiva Schaffer |
Cast | Liam Neeson, Pamela Anderson, Paul Walter Hauser, Kevin Durand, Danny Huston |
Runtime | 1h 25m |
Age Rating | A |
Genre | Comedy / Action |
Budget | $42 million |
Review
At a time when big-screen comedies seem as rare as an honest cop, The Naked Gun storms back—and it’s packing enough gags to make your popcorn fly. Akiva Schaffer, with a sharp eye for the absurd, revives the spoof franchise by casting Liam Neeson as Detective Frank Drebin Jr., a lawman whose greatest weapon might just be his complete lack of self-awareness. This isn’t just a loving wink to the ‘80s classic—it’s a full-speed slapstick tornado, as delirious as it is tightly constructed.
From the first scene (involving a literal "plot device"), it’s clear: story takes a back seat to relentless comedy. Neeson, stoic yet utterly ridiculous, captures every inch of the Drebin legacy—not by parodying Leslie Nielsen’s beloved schtick, but by doubling down with committed, straight-faced lunacy. Whether dodging absurd gadgets or interrogating suspects with baffling metaphors, he’s perfection. Pamela Anderson sparkles as Beth Davenport, bringing an unexpected sweetness and comedic timing to every shared screen moment. Paul Walter Hauser’s Ed Hocken Jr. serves up zany, lovable support.
The script, written by Gregor and Mand, smartly ducks the pitfall of tired pop-culture reference. Instead, it mines its humor from timeless sight gags, sharp wordplay, and a cascade of physical comedy that will land differently with every viewer (and on repeat watches). Each setup—whether absurd, cheeky, or delightfully retro—rolls right into the next, with just enough narrative glue to keep you invested in Frank’s madcap murder mystery, and the fate of the world’s most incompetent police squad.
The Naked Gun knows exactly why audiences show up: to laugh, to be surprised, and to see a talented cast throw dignity to the wind for a greater gag. This reboot does just that—eschewing plot pretensions in favor of a densely-packed hour and a half of wit and slapstick. Like its hero’s pale thighs, the movie has nothing to hide. It’s a reminder that, sometimes, being completely ridiculous is the smartest move a comedy can make.
Frank Drebin Jr.: “I’m not saying I’m the world’s worst cop. But nobody’s ever asked me to join a donut rewards program twice.”
Stay alert, keep laughing—and don’t forget to watch The Naked Gun. Justice… and jokes… will be served.