The Naked Gun – REVIEW

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For several years, cinemas have lacked the large-scale, absurd comedies that were once popular. Notable comedy creators such as Mel Brooks and Zucker-Zucker (formerly Zucker-Abrahams-Zucker), as well as the Farrelly brothers who won a Best Director Oscar for ‘Green Book’, have cautiously returned to comedy with streaming releases. The 1988 film ‘The Naked Gun‘ that significantly boosted Leslie Nielson’s career is being reimagined, with Liam Neeson stepping into the role of incompetent Lt. Frank Drebin Jr., son of the original character, and Paul Walter Hauser as Ed Hocken jr, son of the late George Kennedy’s character. This revival of ‘The Calamity Cop’ series follows Drebin as he creates mayhem wherever he goes, potentially threatening the future of Police Squad. The story begins with the death of a driver in an electric car, suspected to be linked to a plot by tech billionaire Richard Cane (Danny Huston) that could wipe out the world’s population through an app. In typical fashion, it is the bumbling Drebin who must save the day, driven by his affection for Beth Davenport (Pamela Anderson), the sister of the deceased driver.

Instead of the Zucker brothers, it’s Seth MacFarlane who is taking the helm in this remake. Known for his animated series ‘Family Guy’ and its sometimes edgy humor, he seems like a fitting choice to revive the movie for a new audience. Akiva Schaffer, with credits such as ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’ and extensive work with The Lonely Island comedy trio, is directing and co-writing. He brings a wacky feel that mirrors the original film perfectly. Expect plenty of visual jokes, absurd one-liners, and clever quips that will leave viewers laughing, much like the classic Z-A-Z movie ‘Airplane’. However, not every joke hits the mark, as some are borrowed from the original film (a nod to the popular ‘beaver’ joke is included) and others from lesser-known films such as Michael Keaton’s ‘Johnny Dangerously’. Still, this remake manages to capture the irreverent spirit of the trilogy. At 85 minutes, it moves quickly, much like the original film. Also, Liam Neeson, who started his career as a dramatic actor before becoming an action star with ‘Taken’, plays it straight here, just like Brian Dennehy did in some roles. For fans of Neeson, rewatching ‘Schindler’s List’ might never feel the same again due to his newfound action persona, making it impossible for him to take on a serious dramatic role ever again.

Here’s The Naked Gun trailer ……

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2025-07-30 16:23