Strap in, comedy fans! The Naked Gun (2025) revives the slapstick spirit of Police Squad! with energy, irreverence, and exactly the kind of absurd charm you’d expect—only now it’s star-studded with Liam Neeson at the center.
Neeson steps into the shoes of Lt. Frank Drebin Jr., and shockingly, it works. He brings that straight-faced intensity he honed in Taken into hilarious dissonance when confronted with ridiculous lines and slapstick—think audience tears of laughter early and often.
Pamela Anderson steals her moment early as Beth Davenport with a live-scatted jazz number (“Sassafras Chicken in D.”) that’s equal parts outrageous and uproarious. Her on-screen chemistry with Neeson, and a nostalgic wink to her 90s bombshell persona, inject fresh life into the genre.
Director Akiva Schaffer — from the Lonely Island crew — infuses modern touches like body-cam visuals and meta-references (including a clever nod to O.J. Simpson) while honoring the original’s tone.
The humor lands hard: fans are calling it “deliciously stupid” in the best way, praising it as a genuine throwback to ZAZ-era ridiculousness — imagine nobody gives a straight line more time or respect than it deserves.
Yes, die-hard originals nitpicked that some jokes were winkier than classic ZAZ fare — but Neeson’s deadpan and the avalanche of gags prove they can still “make ’em like this.” One trailer moment—“served 20 years for man’s laughter”—is sheer gold.
🎥 Trailer to Reaction: Highlights
-
“Deliciously stupid”: Critics and fans alike are embracing its unapologetic silliness.
-
Neeson surprises: Contrary to early doubts, his straight-man intensity blends beautifully with absurdity.
-
Pamela Anderson shines: From scatting terrors to comedic charm, she reminds us why she’s back.
-
Nostalgic Easter eggs: Popcorn bucket gags, O.J. jokes—honoring the originals while keeping it fresh.
-
Zany direction: Schaffer’s modern nods preserve the chaotic, gag-packed DNA of the originals.
THE NAKED GUN is witty and truly a beautiful nod to the original while making a name for itself. Boy have I missed weird ass comedies and this was a perfect one pic.twitter.com/7T5fX8a085
— Rachel Leishman (@RachelLeishman) July 16, 2025
Anna Nicole Smith in 'Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult' (1994) pic.twitter.com/PKnh00djwb
— ScreenGeek (@RealScreenGeek) July 17, 2025
👍 Final Take
If you grew up snorting milk through your nose at Leslie Nielsen’s Drebin, this reboot’s for you. It’s a cheeky, energetic revival that brings Hancock-of-laughs moments in spades—without a whiff of mean-spiritedness. A refreshing comedy throwback in a post-viral meme world.
Remembering Leslie Nielsen ~ The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988) #botd pic.twitter.com/xETfMZv31h
— Samuel J. May (@sjmay92) February 11, 2025
🎬 Film Snapshot: The Naked Gun (2025)
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Director | Akiva Schaffer |
| Producers | Seth MacFarlane & Erica Huggins for Fuzzy Door; produced under Paramount |
| Writers | Akiva Schaffer, Dan Gregor & Doug Mand |
| Cinematography | Brandon Trost |
| Music | Composed by Lorne Balfe (additional material by Joel McNeely) |
| Budget | Estimated ~$50M (not officially disclosed) |
| Box Office | In theaters August 1, 2025; earnings TBD |
| Starring | Liam Neeson, Pamela Anderson, Paul Walter Hauser, Kevin Durand, Danny Huston, CCH Pounder, Cody Rhodes, Busta Rhymes, Michael Bisping |
| Runtime | 85 minutes |
🗣️ What Others Are Saying
“Holy hell, The Naked Gun is the funniest flick I’ve seen for a while. … One sequence in particular had me in tears, laughing so hard.” — JimmyO, JoBlo
“The jokes are endless, but there’s nothing offensive in it at all. Just 100% pure silly spoof humor.” — Erik Davis
“The film is so deliciously stupid, and I mean that as the highest compliment.” — Katcy Stephan, Variety
“A joke so gloriously silly … it wouldn’t seem out of place coming from … Leslie Nielsen.” — Slashfilm
“Neeson’s comedic appearances … demonstrate his comedic capabilities.” — CinemaBlend
🎯 Ideal For:
-
Fans of the original ZAZ-powered trilogy seeking nostalgia with fresh energy
-
Lovers of slapstick, pun-heavy, and absolutely ridiculous comedies
-
Moviegoers ready to see Neeson play it dead serious—then drop the absurd
-
Anyone over 16 who appreciates popcorn-fueled silliness sans edge
