When I entered this year’s Cinemacon, I expected to leave Vegas excited about all the major big-budget releases. Instead, I left looking forward to Paramount’s “The Naked Gun.”
“The Naked Gun” (2025) is directed by Akiva Schaffer and stars Liam Neeson, Pamela Anderson, Paul Walter Hauser, CCH Pounder, Kevin Durand, Cody Rhodes, Liza Koshy, Eddie Yu, and Danny Huston. The film follows Frank Drebin Jr., played by Neeson, who follows in his father’s footsteps as a lieutenant in the Los Angeles Police Squad. He embodies the commitment and heart of a true cop.
I recently watched the first three films starring Leslie Nielsen, and I was pleasantly surprised by how much fun I had with them. The movies delivered the type of comedy I enjoy, combining slapstick humor, clever wordplay, and absurd dialogue delivered with a serious tone.
What I appreciate about this movie is its ability to be a new “Naked Gun” film rather than just a rehash of the originals. Kudos to the producers, writers, and directors who created it without ruining the franchise. Spoofing a genre familiar to fans of the first three movies provides just the right amount of nostalgia while introducing new elements to attract a fresh fan base. The film parodies action movies and thrillers from the ’90s and early 2000s while presenting itself as a detective noir thriller comedy.
Liam Neeson as Frank Jr. was perfect. He made the character his own and didn’t come across as a pale impersonation of Neilsen. After all, Leslie Nielsen depicted an irreplaceable character. So, a massive shoutout to the writers for developing the character. His chemistry with Pamela Anderson is palpable. Their dynamic was fantastic, and their hilarious moments are more memorable because of their onscreen presence. Everyone else in the cast was also great and pulled their weight.
This movie is hilarious from start to finish, including the very end. Ensure to stay through the credits, as there are many funny moments. The number of jokes is overwhelming. I can’t recall attending a press screening where the entire audience laughed out loud like this. They were so loud that I missed a few jokes here and there.
The production design was outstanding, capturing the essence of 80s and 90s films shot on 35mm while incorporating elements from contemporary action movies. This film isn’t aiming for any Academy Award nominations, nor does it seek to evoke deep emotions or convey a heartwarming message. Its primary purpose is to make you laugh, and for 90 minutes, it focuses entirely on entertaining you.
Overall, “The Naked Gun” is without a single doubt the best comedy of the year. It’s loaded with joke after joke after joke and doesn’t slow down until the very last end-credit scene. Anchored by an impressive performance from Liam Neeson, this movie will leave you with a good abdominal workout and facial muscle soreness.
Rating: 8/10.