Over the decades, slapstick comedy and deadpan humor have become increasingly rare. In a cinematic landscape where physical satire and innocent laughter have given way to biting irony or postmodern self-referential humor, the return of the The Naked Gun franchise feels like a breath of fresh air… or, forgive me, an unexpected fart in the middle of a boardroom – in keeping with the tone of the saga.
The Naked Gun is directed by Akiva Schaffer (Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping) and co-written with Dan Gregor and Doug Mand (Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers). This new entry serves as both a sequel and a loving tribute to the original creators’ legacy, keeping the spirit as silly, absurd, and irresistibly fun as ever. At the center of the story is Liam Neeson (Taken), playing Frank Drebin Jr., the son of the iconic police detective, now caught up in a conspiracy as ridiculous as it is mysterious. Joining him are Pamela Anderson (Baywatch) as the sultry widow, Danny Huston (Children of Men) as the quintessential evil billionaire, and many unexpected cameos that deliver laughs purely through surprise and absurdity.
Though I didn’t grow up with the original films or show – in fact, I wasn’t familiar with them at all before watching this new chapter – I quickly understood why they’re so beloved. The physical comedy, the self-aware jokes, the ridiculously choreographed fights… it all fits right into my personal taste. The magic of this kind of comedy lies in its predictable unpredictability – you know something is going to happen, but you can never guess what exactly, or how it will be executed… and it’s that constant disruption of narrative logic that fuels the humor.
From the very beginning, Schaffer sets a tone that directly honors the franchise’s roots. The plot of The Naked Gun revolves around a terrorist threat tied to a mysterious object named… P.L.O.T. DEVICE. This kind of meta-humor is just one of dozens of gags spread throughout the movie’s brief 85-minute runtime, which wisely avoids unnecessary exposition or melodrama. Everything exists to make you laugh – and all of it works.
Neeson isn’t widely known for his comedic chops – at least not to general audiences – despite memorable forays into comedy in The Lego Movie or Life’s Too Short. But the truth is: the man has a natural talent for it. His dead-serious expressions in completely absurd situations are the heart and soul of this sequel. His commitment to the bit never falters, even as the world around him descends into hilarious chaos. There’s something fantastic about watching Neeson react with full conviction – even while appearing (almost) naked or failing to grasp an absurdly obvious clue.
Anderson, on the other hand, fully embraces her role as the classic female archetype – part noir femme fatale, part exaggerated innocent – while Huston plays the kind of over-the-top villain that acts maniacally and hatches plans so elaborately stupid you can’t help but burst out laughing. The rest of the cast – many of whom show up in cameos best left unspoiled – round out this intentionally two-dimensional world of characters, all in service of a type of humor that relies as much on wordplay as it does on pratfalls.
The film’s homage to the genre’s golden age shines through in several delightful technical touches: intentionally “off” sound effects – fists that clang like steel, footsteps so soft they make the entire building creak – as well as recurring gags like coffee being delivered by a random off-screen courier, or exaggerated fight choreography taken to absurd extremes. Even exposition scenes are played for laughs, with characters winking at the camera as they explain their actions. This isn’t a movie that asks its audience to think – just to watch, laugh, and go along for the ride.
Thematically, The Naked Gun might seem entirely hollow, but there’s a certain courage in that simplicity. At a time when so much of cinema feels compelled to deliver subtext, social commentary, or emotional weight, this comedy stands as a reminder that entertaining can be a noble artistic goal in and of itself. The movie pushes back against the notion that artistic value must be tied to seriousness or message. Instead, it goes all-in on accessible, harmless humor that never takes itself too seriously – even when it pokes fun at the kind of cinema that does.
The momentum dips slightly heading into the third act, perhaps because the story needs to tie things up with some semblance of coherence (as absurd as that coherence may be). Still, even in its most predictable moments, the sequel always finds a way to surprise – whether through a ridiculous twist, a genius visual gag, or an unexpected cameo.
Final Thoughts on The Naked Gun
The Naked Gun is a triumphant return to a kind of comedy that’s on the verge of extinction. It’s a love letter to a subgenre often dismissed, yet one that, when done right, can provoke genuine, infectious laughter like few others. Liam Neeson leads a cast fully committed to the silliness, with a script that honors the legacy of one of the most beloved comedy franchises of the 20th century. For longtime fans, I imagine it’s a nostalgic and comforting trip down memory lane. For newcomers like me, it’s the perfect gateway into the world of Frank Drebin (Jr.). A simple, light, and above all, tremendously funny film – exactly what cinema should also be.
Rating: A-
The Naked Gun is now playing in theaters.
Learn more about the film, including how to buy tickets, at the official website for the title.
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