It’s been a minute since a comedy has actually opened in theaters. For nearly a decade now, most comedies have been quietly shuffled onto streaming platforms, where they stick around for about a week before disappearing into the void. But that drought may finally be over, thanks to Akiva Schaffer’s upcoming reboot-slash-sequel of The Naked Gun. Reviving the beloved franchise from the ’80s and ’90s, this new take is aiming to bring the big-screen laughs back where they belong. And let me tell you, The Naked Gun had my TMJ flaring from how much I was grinning and laughing. It’s exactly the kind of ridiculous, crowd-pleasing spectacle theaters were built for.
We follow Frank Drebin Jr. (Liam Neeson), the head of the Police Squad. A chaotic and questionably competent division of the LAPD. After using some, let’s say, less-than-approved methods to foil a bank robbery, Drebin gets slapped with a reassignment to traffic duty. But what starts as a routine fender bender quickly spirals into something much bigger. When one of his traffic cases turns out to be a full-blown murder, Drebin is determined to crack it wide open, no matter how many innocent bystanders or hot dog carts he takes down in the process.
Much like the original, The Naked Gun is, at its core, unapologetically dumb in the best possible way. A big, goofy, joyfully stupid comedy that knows exactly what it is and leans all the way into it. It’s overflowing with puns, sight gags, slapstick, and that signature deadpan delivery that made the original films so beloved. The sheer absurdity of what’s happening on screen makes it nearly impossible not to laugh like, face-cramping, stomach-aching levels of laughter. What genuinely shocked me, though, is how consistent the film is. Almost every single joke landed, which is a rarity for most comedies. For a solid 90 straight minutes, even through the end credits, my theater was in absolute hysterics. There wasn’t a moment to catch your breath before the next ridiculous bit hit. What makes this movie feel so refreshing is that it’s not trying to be clever or self-aware or secretly profound. It was just trying to be funny. The Naked Gun fully embraces the ludicrousness of its own premise and commits to it with wild, gleeful abandon. And honestly? That kind of comedy belongs in theaters.
Front and center is Liam Neeson, best known for brooding action roles and intimidating phone calls, doing a full-on comedic 180. Watching him fully commit to the deadpan absurdity of The Naked Gun is nothing short of delightful. His delivery is razor-sharp, his timing is impeccable, and he’s clearly having the time of his life. And when an actor’s having that much fun with a role, it becomes infectious. You can’t help but go along for the ride. Then there’s Pamela Anderson, who proves she’s been criminally underused in this kind of role. Comedy suits her really well. She’s hysterical here, matching the tone and chaos of the film beat for beat. Honestly, this might be one of her best on-screen turns. If The Naked Gun is any indication, she’s found a genre that plays perfectly to her strengths.
The Naked Gun is the kind of comedy we don’t see nearly enough of anymore. Loud, ridiculous, and completely unafraid to be stupid. It’s a film that understands the assignment: to make you laugh until your face hurts, and it delivers on that promise from start to finish. With pitch-perfect performances from Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson, a relentless barrage of gags, and a deep love for the genre it’s reviving, this reboot isn’t just a pleasant surprise, it’s a reminder of how much fun going to the movies can be. If this is the future of theatrical comedy, then sign me up.
My Rating: A-
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