The Naked Gun (2025) Review – Liam Neeson Revives Slapstick Comedy
The Naked Gun series began in 1988 with The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! David Zucker directed the film and transformed Leslie Nielsen into a comedy icon. The movie cost around $12 million and earned over $150 million worldwide. Audiences and critics praised its relentless sight gags, slapstick, and wordplay.
Paramount followed with two sequels:
- The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear (1991) earned nearly $200 million and kept the humor sharp.
- The Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult (1994) made less money and earned mixed reviews, but its wild set pieces secured cult status.
The franchise went dormant for three decades, leaving fans wondering if anyone could ever revive Frank Drebin’s absurd world.
🎥 Production and Release
Paramount finally revived the series in 2022. The studio cast Liam Neeson as Frank Drebin Jr. and chose Akiva Schaffer from The Lonely Island as director. Seth MacFarlane produced, bringing his experience in both slapstick and meta-comedy.
The filmmakers shot the movie in Atlanta in mid‑2024. Paramount initially scheduled the release for July 18, 2025, but marketing momentum and summer competition convinced the studio to shift to August 1, 2025.
🎭 Cast and Performances
The film relies heavily on its new cast to capture the original series’ chaotic energy:
- Liam Neeson steps into the spotlight as Frank Drebin Jr. He keeps a stone-faced intensity while walking through increasingly ridiculous situations. His dramatic background makes every straight delivery funnier.
- Pamela Anderson embraces self-aware parody as femme fatale Beth Davenport. She mixes classic noir energy with playful slapstick and dominates every scene with unexpected comedic timing.
- Paul Walter Hauser plays Ed Hocken Jr., the new sidekick who delivers physical comedy and wide-eyed reactions.
- Danny Huston portrays villain Richard Cane, a tech mogul whose evil plan sets up most of the sight gags.
Supporting roles from Kevin Durand, Liza Koshy, CCH Pounder, Busta Rhymes, and Cody Rhodes add small bursts of humor without distracting from the leads.
📖 Story and Humor Style
The story keeps the Naked Gun formula intact. Frank Drebin Jr. investigates the suspicious death of Beth Davenport’s brother. The trail leads to Richard Cane, a tech billionaire who wants to trigger a device that turns humans into primal versions of themselves.
This absurd plot exists purely to launch a barrage of visual jokes, slapstick brawls, and innuendos. Drebin Jr. bumbles into situations like:
- Mistaking a claw machine for a police interrogation tool
- Throwing hot coffee during a foot chase
- Accidentally activating the villain’s device while giving a heroic speech
The humor never pauses for long. Schaffer and his writers pack each scene with background gags, deadpan exchanges, and sudden bursts of action. The PG‑13 rating keeps the jokes sharp without leaning on raunch.
🌟 Critical Reception
Critics have responded with near-unanimous enthusiasm. Early reviews praise the film as one of the funniest movies of the decade. Rotten Tomatoes sits around 95–96% from about 60 critic reviews.
Key observations from critics include:
- Liam Neeson’s commitment to the role makes his deadpan reactions hilarious.
- Pamela Anderson surprises audiences with charisma and perfect parody instincts.
- The film keeps its runtime around 90 minutes, which keeps the laughs constant and prevents fatigue.
- Some reviewers point out that the middle act slows down when the plot takes center stage.
- A few longtime fans miss Leslie Nielsen’s innocent charm and note that Neeson feels like a different flavor of comedy rather than a direct replacement.
Despite those minor complaints, most critics agree that the film captures the essence of the series while modernizing its pacing and visual style.
📰 Behind-the-Scenes and Media Buzz
The reboot sparked conversation beyond the screen:
- Andy Samberg endorsed the movie at San Diego Comic-Con, calling it “joyful and endlessly funny,” which boosted fan confidence.
- The marketing campaign leaned into nostalgia. Billboards featured absurd taglines, and theaters sold popcorn in police hat buckets.
- Public appearances by Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson triggered romance rumors, which the actors brushed off with playful banter.
✅ Strengths and Limitations
Strengths:
- Rapid-fire gags that keep audiences laughing.
- A faithful tone that honors the original series.
- Chemistry between Neeson and Anderson that surprises viewers.
- A tight runtime that never overstays its welcome.
Limitations:
- Liam Neeson brings intensity but lacks Leslie Nielsen’s lovable clumsiness.
- The plot occasionally slows the joke momentum.
- Purists may feel the reboot trades innocence for sharper modern edges.
🎯 Final Verdict
The Naked Gun (2025) delivers a loud, confident, and relentlessly funny revival. The movie respects the original trilogy while updating the slapstick formula for modern audiences. It does not replace Leslie Nielsen’s magic, but it proves that carefully crafted visual comedy can still thrive in theaters.
Audiences who crave absurd police antics, big-screen gags, and old-fashioned spoof energy will leave with sore cheeks from laughing.
