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Chicago Tribune
30-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
‘The Naked Gun' review: Liam Neeson brings a ‘Taken'-or-leave-it air to a rougher reboot
It's not bad. The reboot of 'The Naked Gun' tosses off a few sharp and/or stupidly effective gags of the hit-and-run variety, nice and quick. Sample exchange: 'I guess you can't fight City Hall.' 'No. It's a building.' Also, kudos to any movie that finds a way to expand the cliché of the internal monologue voiceover, so that Lt. Frank Drebin Jr. suddenly has some competition on the soundtrack. But there's a 'but' here — a gradually dispiriting air, with director Akiva Schaffer hunting for the proper tone, starting with his script co-written by Schaffer, Dan Gregor and Doug Mand. Some of that relates to the casting. Liam Neeson works as a Drebin for a new, coarser, meaner age, and he has no problem suggesting a surly, disgruntled son of the cop immortalized by Leslie Nielsen in the short-lived 1982 TV series 'Police Squad!' and three lucrative big-screen chapters. Undeniably, given the rampant speculation of their off-screen lives, it's nice to see Neeson share the frame with Pamela Anderson, who plays a femme fatale of a crime novelist. Her character, Pamela Davenport, is putting the smush on Drebin to solve the case of her late brother, who holds the key to the plot for which no one on Earth would be dumb enough to prioritize when going to a 'Naked Gun' reboot. Simple enough premise. But there's more, and too much of it, given the percentage of this film's 85 minutes handed over without a fight to Danny Huston as an Elon Muskian tech entrepreneur intent on taking over the world. This is a comedy misjudgment, and while it's just my suspicion, the overload of apocalyptic and vaguely science-fiction-y stuff, and the movie's reliance on lazy, hyperviolent action tropes, may have something to do with the presence of Seth MacFarlane as producer of 'The Naked Gun.' The genre spoofing plays too often like mere mimicry without much wit. Director Schaffer of the comedy group Lonely Island and the very funny mockumentary 'Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping' seems slightly at sea at the helm of this project. Certainly he's savvy enough to realize, based on some of the set-ups and banter here, that finding the right way, comically, to deal with a legendarily inept emblem of largely accidental law enforcement was crucial. Results: mixed. Line to line, the best bits score, and Neeson — when he's not mired in incontinence jokes, enough for a movie titled 'Incontinence!' — has a good sparring partner in Paul Walter Hauser, as the son of George Kennedy's character. But the undercurrents are sour and conflicted, with some racial optics more suspect than the narrative's actual suspects. Why set up an Officer Nordberg Jr. character with a great jab at O.J. Simpson and then write him out of the rest of the movie? There's one joke in particular that captures the wildly up-and-down intentions of a 2025-era 'Naked Gun,' having to do with how many white bad guys Neeson's Drebin Jr. has taken down over the years, in relation to perps of color. It gets a big laugh, even while it admits the difficulty of finding the comic charm in Drebin in a post-George Floyd world. You may ask: Why analyze the implications of a joke-book movie just out for some fun? Well, because I wanted some fun myself. I got some. In the end, though, this 'Naked Gun' has little interest or temperamental skill in the art of the deadpan throwaway, which was the crucial element in 'Police Squad!' and, intermittently, in the three movies. Neeson's surly, simmering kettle-of-violence aura throws things off a bit. Leslie Nielsen only comes around once. But the two actors who've taken on Drebin in two separate eras do not seem related at all. 'The Naked Gun' — 2 stars (out of 4) MPA rating: PG-13 (for crude/sexual material, violence/bloody images, and brief partial nudity) Running time: 1:25 How to watch: Premieres in theaters July 31
San Francisco Chronicle
30-07-2025
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
‘The Naked Gun' review: Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson play it for laughs — and nail it
Part of the ongoing success of Liam Neeson's action movies, such as ' Taken,' ' Non-Stop ' and ' The Commuter,' has been that they're funny. They deliver in terms of action, but they've also been wonderfully absurd in the way that Neeson will tear into the coarsest melodrama as though it were a Eugene O'Neill tragedy. But can Neeson be funny while actually knowing that he's being funny? Can he deliver in an intentional comedy? Has he been in on the joke all along? Those were questions going into 'The Naked Gun,' and the answer to all of them is yes. 'The Naked Gun' is an extension of a comic franchise that began in 1988 with 'The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!' and seemingly ended in 1994 with 'The Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult.' Those films starred Leslie Nielsen as Frank Drebin, an inept police lieutenant. The kick at the time was in seeing Nielsen in a comic context, after he'd been previously known as a dour, dead-serious TV actor. It's risky to take a winning comic formula and transplant another actor into it. For example, though no one would accuse Steve Martin of not being funny, he was the farthest thing from amusing when he attempted to replace Peter Sellers in a reboot of the 'Pink Panther' franchise. Careful to avoid the same mistake, Berkeley-raised director and co-writer Akiva Schaffer (' Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping ') re-tools 'The Naked Gun' for Neeson's particular set of skills. The pre-credits sequence shows Drebin, Jr. (Neeson) breaking up a bank robbery, not in a way that's reminiscent of Leslie Nielsen, but of Neeson's action films. Essentially, the whole opening is like something you might see in a 'Taken' movie, but amped up just enough that it becomes ridiculous. Neeson bites a gun in half with his teeth, kills somebody with a lollypop. Later he pulls off a guy's arms and beats him with them. It's a typical Neeson bloodbath, only played for comedy. Schaffer's ability to capitalize on his audience's familiarity with Neeson's action movies is an important element in his comic arsenal, but Schaffer has other comic strategies available to him, as well. There are moments of inspired silliness, as when Drebin talks to a suspect that he mistakenly thinks was convicted of 'man's laughter' rather than 'manslaughter': 'That must have been quite the joke.' There are hints of parody, such as a brief conversation that simultaneously sends up flirtatious moments in 'Double Indemnity' (1944) and 'The Big Sleep' (1946). There are moments of absurdity, as when the smooth-talking villain (Danny Huston) offers a woman a drink and then brags that it's from 'Bill Cosby's private estate.' There are even subtle touches that don't call attention to themselves, such as when Frank puts on a glove and then contaminates a crime scene by touching everything with his other hand. Akiva Schaffer is one third of the Lonely Island comedy trio, and this movie has a lot in common with the troupe's 'Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping,' with its imaginative, extended sequences. A comic highlight comes in a scene in which Frank and a mystery woman (Pamela Anderson) are having a perfectly innocent meeting in his apartment. Meanwhile, someone surveilling through an ultraviolet lens gets the false impression that they're performing a series of lewd sex acts, including one involving a dog. The movie starts to slow down in its last third because there's nothing about the actual story to make us keep watching — it's only about the laughs. Fortunately, Schaffer is wise enough not to overstay his welcome. At 85 minutes, 'The Naked Gun' is just the right length. Neeson is a delight and seems to be having as much fun as the audience. But the surprise here is Anderson, who was sad and plaintive in ' The Last Showgirl ' and now reveals herself a skilled and self-aware comedienne. Anderson is having a moment right now, and I'd like to see it continue.
News18
28-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Pamela Anderson Talks About Playing Femme Fatale In The Naked Gun: 'I Work A Lot On…'
Last Updated: The Naked Gun reboot, starring Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson, hits Indian theatres on August 1, 2025. Anderson reflected on how she prepped for her part. The iconic spoof-comedy The Naked Gun is making a comeback with a fresh reboot, and this time, Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson are taking the lead. Hitting Indian theatres on August 1, 2025, the film blends modern humour with nostalgic callbacks to the beloved original. Anderson spoke about how she prepped for her character. Liam Neeson stars as Lt. Frank Drebin Jr., the well-meaning but clumsy son of the original detective, while Pamela Anderson steps into the role of Beth Davenport, a femme fatale with wit and edge — drawing inspiration from Priscilla Presley's iconic character. Anderson revealed that she approached Beth with care and nuance. 'I work a lot on the character before I even get to set. I bring a lot with me and then stay flexible to collaborate with the director," she said, adding that her preparation remains the same whether it's a dramatic film or a high-energy comedy. Her collaboration with director Akiva Schaffer helped shape the character's emotional core. 'Akiva is very scientific with the jokes, but I really wanted to bring honesty, authenticity, and even some vulnerability to the role," she explained. 'It was a true collaboration, and I think there are some very sincere and tender moments you wouldn't typically expect in a film like this." Her co-star Liam Neeson also spoke about their collaboration. He told Gulf News, 'I love the fact that I didn't know Pamela's history. I was aware of Baywatch many years ago. I didn't avidly watch it, but I knew of its popularity. Pamela has a terrific sense of humour. There were no airs and graces, none of that nonsense. She was there to act and to work. She was very available, and I really enjoyed her company. We had a few giggles between takes." Watch the trailer of The Naked Gun here: As the franchise returns to the big screen with a new cast and tone, Pamela Anderson's grounded take on her character might just add a surprising emotional depth to all the laughs. The Naked Gun is directed by Akiva Schaffer (Saturday Night Live, Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping) and from producer Seth MacFarlane (Ted, Family Guy). Joining the cast are Pamela Anderson, Paul Walter Hauser, CCH Pounder, Kevin Durand, Cody Rhodes, Liza Koshy, Eddie Yu, with Danny Huston. First Published: July 28, 2025, 19:36 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
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
The Naked Gun trailer: Liam Neeson, Pamela Anderson go on a wild ride in this slapstick comedy reboot. Watch
Paramount Pictures has released the much-anticipated trailer for the upcoming reboot of the classic comedy Naked Gun, set for release on August 1. The film, a modern take on the beloved 1980s franchise, stars Liam Neeson as Frank Drebin Jr., the son of the original bumbling detective Frank Drebin, portrayed by the late Leslie Nielsen. (Also read: Pamela Anderson breaks silence on her dramatic Met Gala hair transformation: 'It wasn't about…') In this reimagined version of the iconic film series, Neeson's character follows in his father's comedic footsteps, bringing his own brand of misadventure and slapstick humour to the screen. Directed by Akiva Schaffer, known for his work on Saturday Night Live and Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping, the film promises to deliver the same absurd and chaotic comedy that made the original Naked Gun series a fan favourite. The star-studded cast also includes Pamela Anderson, who is returning to the spotlight as part of the film's ensemble, as well as Paul Walter Hauser, who plays the son of Captain Ed Hocken (George Kennedy) from the original films. Other cast members include CCH Pounder, Kevin Durand, Cody Rhodes, Liza Koshy, and Danny Huston, with additional appearances from Eddie Yu. Written by Dan Gregor, Doug Mand, and Schaffer, the new 'Naked Gun' film promises to stay true to the slapstick style of its predecessors. The original trilogy, which reportedly grossed over USD 216 million worldwide, was known for its zany humour, outlandish gags, and the unforgettable character of Frank Drebin, a bumbling police detective who consistently found himself in outlandish situations. The franchise, which began with The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! in 1988, also spawned two sequels: The Naked Gun 2 1/2 : The Smell of Fear (1991) and Naked Gun 33 1/3 : The Final Insult (1994). Seth MacFarlane, the creator of Family Guyand producer of Ted, serves as a producer for the reboot, bringing his sharp comedic sensibilities to the project. With Schaffer at the helm, audiences can expect a mix of absurd humour and a fast-paced, visual gag-filled narrative mirroring the charm of the original films. (ANI)
Pink Villa
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
The Naked Gun Reboot: All We Know About Liam Neeson's Comedy Comeback Including Release Date, Cast, Plot and More
Paramount is bringing back the classic The Naked Gun franchise with a new installment, set to release in theaters on August 1, 2025. This reboot is being described as a 'legacy sequel' and features Liam Neeson as Frank Drebin Jr., the son of Leslie Nielsen's original character from the earlier films. Directed by Akiva Schaffer (SNL, Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping) and produced by Seth MacFarlane (Family Guy, Ted), the new film brings a fresh take on the spoof-comedy legacy that began in 1988. Alongside Neeson, the cast features Pamela Anderson as a mysterious femme fatale named Beth, and Paul Walter Hauser as Captain Ed Hocken Jr., the son of George Kennedy's character from the original films. The ensemble also includes Kevin Durand, Danny Huston, Liza Koshy, Cody Rhodes, CCH Pounder, Busta Rhymes, and Eddy Yu. Here's what the new trailer reveals Paramount dropped the new The Naked Gun trailer on June 16. Liam Neeson's version of Drebin appears to embrace slapstick comedy while poking fun at his famous 'particular set of skills' from the Taken films. In one scene, Drebin says, "Once you kill a man for revenge, there's no going back," before using ripped-off arms as weapons. He follows that up with a voiceover: "That was awesome." We also see emotional nods to the franchise's legacy as Frank and Ed Jr. stand in front of commemorative plaques honoring their fathers. In one classic joke, Drebin interrogates a suspect who served 20 years for 'man's laughter,' only to be corrected that it was 'manslaughter.' Drebin replies: "Must have been quite the joke." In this new story, Frank Drebin Jr. is a top officer in the elite Police Squad. He's pulled into action when Beth's brother is murdered, and the squad's future is on the line. If Drebin fails to solve the case, the department will be shut down. Of course, the absurd humor remains intact, with Drebin even commandeering a coffee shop restroom for 'police business.' The original The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! released in 1988 and was followed by two sequels: The Smell of Fear (1991) and The Final Insult (1994). A reboot was first announced in 2013 with Ed Helms, but it never moved forward. Director David Zucker, who helmed the original films, declined involvement, saying it would only be inferior. While he was briefly part of a 2017 rewrite, that version also stalled. Zucker isn't involved in the current project and told TMZ he regretted watching the teaser, saying, "I can't unsee it."
