More than thirty years after Leslie Nielsen’s last misadventure as the clueless Lieutenant Frank Drebin, The Naked Gun returns in a side-splitting legacy sequel that proves the franchise hasn’t lost its flair for absurd comedy. This time, Liam Neeson steps into the iconic role—now as Frank Drebin Jr.—delivering a hilariously deadpan performance that honors the spirit of the original while bringing fresh energy to the chaos.
The film is produced by Family Guy and Ted creator Seth MacFarlane and directed by Akiva Schaffer of The Lonely Island, ensuring a comedic pedigree that leans into the ridiculous with gusto. Alongside Neeson, the cast includes Pamela Anderson, Paul Walter Hauser, and Danny Huston, each embracing the mayhem with a level of commitment that amplifies the lunacy.
The plot kicks off with Frank Jr. now a member of LAPD’s Police Squad, following in his father’s clumsy footsteps. When a mysterious electronic device, dubbed the “P.L.O.T. Device,” goes missing, the trail leads to a suspicious tech mogul, Richard Cane, played with slick menace by Huston. Meanwhile, Frank finds himself entangled with femme fatale Beth Davenport, played by Pamela Anderson in a bold and surprisingly layered performance that includes a surreal jazz club sequence.
Just like the original films created by comedy legends David Zucker, Jim Abrahams, and Jerry Zucker (ZAZ), the new installment thrives on sight gags, outrageous setups, and a relentless barrage of puns. True to ZAZ’s formula, a dramatic actor leads the comedic chaos. Neeson, known for serious roles in films like Schindler’s List and Taken, proves himself a natural, never breaking his stoic demeanor no matter how absurd the scenario.
The film’s highlights include an over-the-top bank robbery sequence and a romantic montage that spirals into total madness. While the second half occasionally loses some steam and a few jokes miss the mark, the sheer pace and density of gags ensure constant laughs.
At a brisk 85 minutes, this reboot is a riotous return to form that blends nostalgia with new absurdities. With Neeson proving his comic chops and the ensemble delivering full-throttle performances, The Naked Gun earns its place among the year’s most entertaining comedies.
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