Fans question Liam Neeson's casting in The Naked Gun: ‘Who picked this cast?'
Fans of the original aren't impressed. Many online feel Neeson's casting is a total misfire. 'Bad choice. I love Liam, but he can't play this part. You need someone naturally funny for this role, not an action movie icon,' wrote one commenter. Another fan was more blunt: 'Certain movies should not be remade. This is one of them.'Others slammed the trailer for missing the franchise's signature tone and feel. One more comment read, 'The jokes aren't funny — or they're recycled from other movies.' Some fans were tremendously disappointed saying, 'This doesn't even come close to the original. Who picked this cast?'
Still, some are holding on to hope, even if cautiously:'The Naked Gun is my ALL-TIME fav, I end up with my jaw hurting from laughing every single time. I'm going to give this the benefit of the doubt, but the trailer didn't convince me tbh... it needs the police car start and the music!!!! Some jokes are really cringe.' While the reactions on the trailer are not the best, one thing's for sure — it's got everyone talking.
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Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
The Naked Gun movie review: Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson shine in goofy, faithful reboot
The Naked Gun review: Liam Neeson is Liam Neeson-lite, Danny Huston is Danny Huston repeat, and Pamela Anderson is Kim Basinger-esque in this did-it-really-take-this-long return to The Naked Gun franchise. The third in the series was 31 years ago, in 1994, and there has been a TV series too. For this 2025 re-up, Neeson replaces the late Leslie Nielsen, who had made the role of Frank Drebin his own. Neeson is the son, Frank Drebin Jr, who like his father is stumbling his way through the police force, and somehow saving the day – every time. The danger this time comes from the kind of billionaire who makes his money in tech, has now embraced green energy, and believes the world needs to be rid of people who are less than equal to 'men of action' like him. This billionaire, Richard Cane, is played in his usual oily indolent way by Huston. Drebin Jr catches on to Cane fairly quickly, but of course must jump the hoops of a Naked Gun to finally get there. While Neeson throws himself sportingly into what is a spoof of the many roles he has done of well-minded men of violence, Anderson is a scene-stealer whenever she appears. Of course, we are meant to be stunned, but her Beth is all woman and not just a Baywatch bod. Fans of The Naked Gun will go back happy, and those missing the kind of crude, unsanitized humour that it revels in, would be gratified to see Neeson lending his weight to it. Also Read | The Bad Guys 2 movie review: A breezy, entertaining sequel Plus who doesn't want to take a swing at a world where 'powerful, righteous' – and rich – men seem to have it all? The Naked Gun movie director: Akiva Schaffer The Naked Gun movie cast: Liam Neeson, Pamela Anderson, Danny Huston, Paul Walter Hauser, C C H Pounder The Naked Gun movie rating: 2.5 stars
News18
3 hours ago
- News18
The Naked Gun X Reviews: Liam Neeson And Pamela Anderson's Film Is A ‘Laugh Riot'
The Naked Gun is a sequel to the 1994 film, Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult. The Naked Gun hit the cinemas on Friday, August 1. A sequel to the 1994 film, Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult, the action comedy stars Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson. Directed by Akiva Schaffer and produced by Seth MacFarlane, the film follows the story of Frank Drebin Jr., the son of the detective from the original film series. Since its premiere, social media has been abuzz with reactions from those who have already watched it in the cinemas. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), one moviegoer wrote, 'Just saw #NakedGun. I really enjoyed it, but I was disappointed that the movie didn't have bloopers. It seems like the perfect movie for it." Just saw #NakedGun. I really enjoyed it, but I was disappointed the movie didn't have bloopers. It seems like the perfect movie for it.— The Afternoon Tune (@AfternoonTune) August 1, 2025 'The theatre was laughing so hard that you could barely hear some of the next lines. That's the highest compliment to give this film. A true laugh riot that is a reminder comedies should be a communal experience in a packed theatre. Bravo, The Naked Gun. Bravo! #thenakedgun #NakedGun," mentioned another user. The theater was laughing so hard you could barely hear some of the next lines. That's the highest compliment to give this film. A true laugh riot that is a reminder comedies should be a communal experience in a packed theater. Bravo The Naked Gun. Bravo! #thenakedgun #NakedGun — Gaius Bolling (@G_Reelz) August 1, 2025 A different person who watched the film shared that it was hands down one of the funniest movies they have watched in recent times, saying, '@NakedGunMovie was hilarious and so entertaining. One of the funniest movies I've seen in a while. Just as good as the original. Liam and Pamela were great together." @NakedGunMovie was hilarious and so entertaining. One of the funniest movies I've seen in a while. Just as good as the original. Liam and Pamela were great together. #TheNakedGun #NakedGun Someone else praised Liam Neeson's acting in the film, writing, '#NakedGun had a good number of crazy laughs that made it a fun watch! It reminded me that we need more of these purely asinine, silly slapstick comedies, especially these days. Liam Neeson has perfectly taken the baton from Leslie Nielsen. He has a new franchise. Grade B+." #NakedGun had a good number of crazy laughs that made it a fun watch! It reminded me that we need more of these purely asinine, silly slapstick comedies, especially these days. Liam Neeson has perfectly taken the baton from Leslie Nielsen. He has a new franchise. Grade B+ — Simone Cromer 'I recommend EVERYONE go see #TheNakedGun #NakedGun. This movie genuinely has restored my faith in comedy movies no one in my shows could stop laughing, pure GOLD. Liam Neeson & Pamela Anderson are incredibly goofy & funny," commented another moviegoer. i recommend EVERYONE go see #TheNakedGun #NakedGun What Is The Naked Gun's Plot? Liam Neeson stars as Frank Drebin Jr. and takes on bizarre new cases. He is tasked to investigate the death of a tech engineer, who turns out to be the brother of Pamela Anderson's character, Beth Davenport. The case leads them to a tech mogul and a strange device. What follows is a story filled with action and comedy. Besides the lead duo, The Naked Gun also stars Paul Walter Hauser, CCH Pounder, Kevin Durand, Cody Rhodes, Liza Koshy, Eddie Yu, and Danny Huston. view comments First Published: August 01, 2025, 14:55 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hindustan Times
8 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
The Naked Gun review: Liam Neeson aces Leslie Nielsen's deadpan in Hollywood's funniest, most entertaining film in years
The Naked Gun review Cast: Liam Neeson, Pamela Anderson, Danny Huston, Paul Walter Hauser, Kevin Durand, Liza Koshy, and CCH Pounder Director: Akiva Schaffer Rating: ★★★★ Early on in Akiva Schaffer's new Naked Gun film, Frank Debin Jr (Liam Neeson) is talking to his father (a picture of Leslie Nielsen, the OG Drebin), and he says, 'I want to be just like you but different enough to be fresh and original.' That is just one of the countless sharp, meta references the film uses to tickle the audience silly. And it succeeds. The Naked Gun is a relentless composite of gags, witty one-liners, and deadpan humour, which works well as a film, too. That it manages to do so in the age of shortening attention spans and aversion to pop culture references is its biggest victory. No, scratch that! Its biggest victory is that it manages to recreate the original Naked Gun and Austin Powers-esque humour in today's times, and you don't even miss not having Leslie Nielsen on screen. The Naked Gun review: The comedy stars Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson. The Naked Gun is a continuation of the original trilogy, where Frank Debin Jr is now the renegade cop in Police Squad, assisted by Ed Hocken Jr. (Paul Walter Hauser), son of Captain Hocken from the original films. After an engineer working for an electric car company dies, his sister Beth (Pamela Anderson) approaches Drebin, saying he was killed. All evidence leads to billionaire Richard Cane (Danny Huston), the Musk-Bezos of this world. Now, Drebin must go out of his comfort zone to find the killer and uncover a sinister plot before time (and the gags) run out. At 85 minutes, The Naked Gun is one of the shortest commercial films in recent times. It manages to pack in a cohesive story, about a thousand one-liners, and a dozen brilliant gags in that time, without ever feeling rushed. It is a joke-a-minute ride that does not wait for the audience to laugh along, but simply moves ahead in-universe, bringing you along for the joke. What makes The Naked Gun so fun (and so funny) is how it brings back the deadpan, nonsensical humour that Leslie Nielsen was known for, both in the original Naked Gun films and outside. It does so without resorting to jokes about genitalia and instead focuses on wordplay, puns, wit, and satire. There are several jokes about modern pop culture and the silliness of action films themselves (the doomsday device is literally called P.L.O.T. Device), with the meta commentary seamlessly blending with the more over-the-top jokes. It's funny, though, that despite all of that, the loudest laughs are generated by the one scene that has some toilet humour - an Austin Powers-lite scene involving everyday things being misunderstood for sex acts. Yet, even that is done tastefully enough that it does not seem jarring. Liam Neeson steps up to the void left by Nielsen and, without ever trying to replace him, does well. His deadpan humour and delivery are spot on, timing impeccable, and wit sharp. He never lets you miss Nielsen, and the only time you feel he is not fabulous is when you wonder how Leslie Nielsen would have done this differently. But one will always fall short in comparison with arguably the greatest comedic actor of all time. Liam Neeson isn't competing; he is complementing, almost paying a tribute. A brilliant Pamela Anderson is one of the highlights of The Naked Gun. Pamela Anderson is the other star of the film. The makers do well to cast the 58-year-old as the bombshell, and not a regular 30-something-year-old as the siren. She brings the much-needed gravitas to the role of Beth, while ever so subtly reminding everyone why she was THE pinup girl in the '90s. Pam's still got it! And she has added brilliant comic timing to her arsenal now. The Naked Gun is a clever reminder of what Hollywood comedy used to be in its glory days, the era of Mel Brooks and Leslie Nielsen, before it was reduced to the lowest common denominator in the last two decades. It is a rare film that does not require too much thinking, does not have a complex plot, and yet keeps you engaged till the end. Is it predictable? Sure! But it is fun, perhaps the most fun I have had in a theatre in years.
