NAKED GUN. How Good It Feels to Laugh Out Loud [REVIEW]

There’s Nothing New Here, and Yet It’s Hilarious. Yes — the New Naked Gun Is Great.

Is it a reheated dish? Of course. Does it offer more than the classics from the ’80s, ’90s, or early 2000s? Not necessarily. And yet — it works. In my opinion, it’s one of the best comedies of recent years. I’d happily order two more servings of this exact same dish. In this genre, nobody expects anyone to reinvent the wheel. And even though most of the gags could be predicted three scenes in advance, I was bursting with laughter. Which, I imagine, would be a cause for concern to Frank Drebin Jr. Because Frank Jr. — played by Liam Neeson — is every bit his father’s son, that beloved Lieutenant Drebin from the original series that remains the pinnacle of parody.

Just like his father, he misinterprets idioms, makes idiotic decisions with a perfectly straight face, and embodies absurdity. Neeson plays his deadpan seriousness in completely ridiculous situations to perfection. But the biggest surprise? Pamela Anderson as Beth. Their almost tangible chemistry not only elevates the film — at times, it carries it entirely.

I’ve seen comments saying this is a movie for boomers, relying on nostalgia. And you know what? I’m absolutely fine with that. Naked Gun 2025 is a glorious parade of dad jokes, wordplay, slapstick, and situational humor. Watching myself cackle like a lunatic, I could only ask: “What are you laughing at, you idiot?” A man fighting terrorists who bites off the barrel of a gun and plays patty-cake with them? Yes — exactly that.

There’s a moment near the end when Beth says to Frank:
— “I’ve never felt so feminine around anyone.”
— “Me too,” replies Drebin Jr.

That more or less defines what you’re getting into. The film doesn’t try to be anything more. It delivers pure, distilled entertainment — a parody that’s not ashamed of being dumb. But it doesn’t discard story, either. The plot, while formulaic, makes sense and fits the genre well. The creators aren’t afraid to interrupt the narrative to crank up the absurdity. There are scenes here that Leslie Nielsen would definitely have approved of — and maybe even cracked a faint smile. Several times, the idiocy level goes off the charts — and that’s exactly when it works best. My stomach hurt from laughing.

The weakest point? The supporting cast. They blur together and don’t add much. But the villain — Richard Cane, played by Danny Huston — is spot-on. He plays it straight, without winking at the audience, and that works far better than expected. I’ll admit not all jokes land. Sometimes the dialogue feels forced, sometimes the pacing dips. And yet, the film wins with something far more important — a complete understanding of the genre and a strong sense of identity. Many moments feel like potential new classics. My personal favorites? The sequence of Frank eating a hot dog while driving. The nightclub scene where Beth sings and Drebin sneaks around.

The gag involving peeking through the villain’s right hand. The snowman bit. And dozens of other tiny moments that trigger uncontrollable laughter. Nobody had high expectations for this film — and that’s already a win.

Strangely enough, this film also has something… existential? It helps make peace with aging. It reminds us that older people are the most beautiful, brave, resilient — and in this case — the sexiest. What delighted me most was the perfect casting. Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson play completely against type, using their media personas in a clever new way. They have comedy timing and can deliver absurd lines with a seriousness that even Nielsen would envy. Their duo delivers the biggest laughs — maybe the most I’ve had in years.

Is it the best comedy in recent years? I don’t know. But I do know it’s juicy, silly, shamelessly absurd, and outrageously Naked Gun. Exactly what it set out to be. Uneven? Occasionally off-target? Yes. But when it hits, it hits dead-on. And those hits don’t hurt — although Frank Drebin Jr. might say otherwise. Then again, he’d take every blow to the chest. After all, Police Squad fears nothing.

To wrap it up:
Liam Neeson — 10/10.
Pamela Anderson — 11/10.

No taboos. No brakes. It’s like we’re in the ’90s again. Seriously. And if you hear boomers moaning about “ruining a classic” — don’t fall for it.
It works. It really works. You just have to love the genre. Otherwise, you’ll bounce right off. And then… well, watch your step. You might just bump into someone.