The naked gun
The Naked Gun
Directed by Akiva Schaffer
I've always believed making a comedy, one that is good and dumb and funny as hell, is maybe the hardest thing to do when it comes to The Movies. Good comedies are rare and great comedies barely exist anymore, at least not big budget blockbuster comedies in theaters. Streaming slop does NOT count! Well hold on to your garter belts cuz the new NAKED GUN requel (reboot/sequel) is one of the funniest movies of the year.
The original Naked Gun trilogy, classic cop spoofs in the vein of AIRPLANE or TOP SECRET!, were some of my all time favorite movies growing up. They are quite literally some of the funniest movies ever made, with star Leslie Nielsen doing the best deadpan delivery EVER. Joke a minute with everything thrown on the screen-physical gags, wordplay, slapstick, visual jokes, you name it it's all there. Exactly the type of comedy they don't make anymore.
Until today that is! Right from the get go, director Akiva and his team are really cooking with the absolutely inspired casting of Liam Neeson as LT. Frank Dreben JR. The 73 year old action legend understood the lesson and then some. Voice gravely than ever, Neeson brilliantly sends up his macho movie action persona. The KEY to all of this is to not act like you're in a comedy movie, everything is played straight even when he's shitting himself from too many chili dogs ("breakfast of champions!")
Running at a brisk 88 minutes including jokes throughout the credits as well as a post credit scene, The Naked Gun reboot never wears out its welcome and is like seeing an old friend from your childhood. Continuing the ridiculously perfect casting is Pamela freaking Anderson as our leading lady love interest who comes to Liam for help on a case. If you've been living under a rock the past week and missed out on the dynamite promo tour these 2 of have been on just know this, they have so much chemistry you could cut it with a butter knife.
This unique comeback from ICON Pamela Anderson has been a breath of fresh air. The way she completely took back her life, her narrative and her art should be studied. Neither Liam or Pamela are strangers to comedy but they've never been able to really shine with a big stupid leading role like this. They are so funny together and the jokes fly at you a dozen a minute. Honorable mention to Danny Huston who plays the villain for the umpteenth time and matches Liam perfectly in energy and delivery.
A fair amount of pop culture references but Akiva and his team exercised genuine restraint it feels like. This isn't packed wall to wall with cameos, just a couple here and there. The movie is confident in its goofiness and we're all the better for it. Please please please go see THE NAKED GUN so we can get a sequel.
And call me Cherry Roosevelt Fat Bozo Eating Spaghetti.
☆☆☆1/2 out of 4
