In Theaters and Digital

The beloved Naked Gun franchise awakens from its 30-year retirement and straps on the ol’ sidearm with yet another comedic take on police procedurals that brings both nostalgic laughs and modern sensibilities to an old gag.

Directed by spoof veteran Akiva Schaffer (Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping) and written by Dan Gregor and Doug Mand, this reboot, starring Liam Neeson attempts to recapture the magic of Leslie Nielsen's iconic Detective Frank Drebin. While it doesn't quite reach the same comedic heights of its ancestors, there's enough here to entertain both longtime fans and newcomers.

Neeson stars as Lieutenant Frank Drebin Jr., the son of Nielson’s original bumbling detective. Tasked with upholding his father’s legacy, Drebin Jr. faces a chaotic mix of crime and comedy as he investigates a tech mogul’s sinister plot.

When a bank heist leads to the theft of a mysterious device called the P.L.O.T. Device – a literal plot device… get it? Drebin Jr. is drawn into a web of conspiracy involving self-driving cars, corrupt billionaires, and a nightclub with secrets.

A big surprise here is Pamela Anderson who shines as Beth Davenport, a crime novelist and Drebin’s unlikely partner, while Paul Walter Hauser (Richard Jewell) adds laughs as his loyal but equally clueless colleague, Ed Hocken Jr. Together, they must stop the villainous Richard Cane (Danny Huston, The Aviator) from using the P.L.O.T. Device to unleash chaos on New Year’s Eve.

As expected, The Naked Gun blends slapstick humor, absurd action, and heartfelt nods to the original trilogy. With Neeson’s deadpan delivery and Anderson’s comedic flair, The Naked Gun delivers a modern twist on the classic parody, proving that even the most ridiculous cases deserve a serious laugh.

We kinda sorta got a sense of it from the film’s trailers, but the most delightful surprise comes from the unexpected pairing of Neeson and Anderson, whose on-screen chemistry breathes life into the familiar formula. Neeson, known for his intense dramatic roles, demonstrates surprising comedic timing as he navigates the absurd world of Police Squad. His deadpan delivery of ridiculous dialogue creates a fresh dynamic that honors Nielsen's legacy while establishing his own new identity.

Anderson lights up during a memorable nightclub sequence where her Beth creates a distraction for Drebin. Rather than delivering the expected sultry serenade, she launches into an absolutely hilarious scat rap that catches both the audience and her target completely off guard. This moment perfectly encapsulates what makes The Naked Gun formula work—subverting expectations with gleefully absurd humor.

The film's running gags maintain the franchise's signature rat-a-tat-tat delivery of jokes and references. One particularly amusing bit involves Police Squad officers constantly grabbing coffee cups that are repeatedly handed to them, creating a wonderfully absurd visual throughout the film. While not every joke lands—and too many feel familiar—the ones that hit make the wait worthwhile.

The movie tends to lean too heavily on rehashing familiar beats rather than establishing fresh comedic territory. While nostalgia can be powerful, the film sometimes feels trapped by its own legacy, afraid to venture too far from the established formula. Will younger audiences even get it? Probably not, but this Naked Gun reboot succeeds more than it fails, offering enough laughs and charm to justify its existence. While it may not revolutionize comedy filmmaking, it provides solid entertainment that respects its source material while occasionally finding its own voice.

For fans of the original trilogy, this reboot offers a pleasant return to familiar territory. For newcomers, it serves as an accessible entry point into the wonderfully ridiculous world of Frank Drebin and Police Squad.

MPAA Rating: PG-13.
Runtime: 85 mins
Director: Akiva Schaffer
Writer: Dan Gregor and Doug Mand
Cast: Liam Neeson; Pamela Anderson; Paul Walter Hauser
Genre: Action | Crime | Comedy
Tagline: Look out crime, he's fully armed
Memorable Movie Quote: "Uh, this is... Cherry... Roosevelt... Fat Bozo Chowing Down on Spaghetti"
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Official Site: https://www.facebook.com/NakedGunMovie/
Release Date: August 1, 2025
DVD/Blu-ray Release Date:
Synopsis: Only one man has the particular set of skills - to lead Police Squad and save the world.