I laughed a lot.
In a year already marred by disappointing legacy sequels (Happy Gilmore 2, we’re looking directly at you), The Naked Gun stands tall—not just as a worthy revival of the absurdist spoof franchise, but as a reminder of what theatrical comedies can and should be: sharp, relentless, and genuinely funny.
Directed by Akiva Schaffer (Hot Rod, Popstar), someone who clearly understands the art of smart-dumb humor, this reboot is both a tribute and a refresh. Liam Neeson steps into the shoes of the late, great Leslie Nielsen with surprising ease, bringing a deadpan sincerity to every outrageous gag. Pairing him with Pamela Anderson—yes, Pamela Anderson, who somehow manages to be both sultry and sincerely funny—turns out to be a genius move. Their chemistry is unexpected, undeniable, and, apparently, real.
The film knows exactly what it is. It doesn’t waste a second pretending to be more. It’s a spoof movie—gloriously so. The jokes come fast and often, and while not every single one hits, the sheer volume ensures you’re never more than ten seconds from your next laugh. And when it lands, it really lands. Sight gags, absurd one-liners, some sharp Mission: Impossible homages, and yes, even a perfectly-timed O.J. Simpson visual gag in the trailer—this thing doesn’t play safe, but it plays smart.
More importantly, it respects the audience. Where Happy Gilmore 2 felt like a joyless collage of callbacks and bloated run-time, The Naked Gun is tight, efficient, and purposeful. At just 85 minutes, it’s in and out before it overstays its welcome. It’s comedy done right: short, silly, satisfying.
The supporting cast brings serious heat. Paul Walter Hauser, Kevin Durand, CCH Pounder, and Danny Huston (who crushes it as the villain) are all locked into the film’s goofy rhythm. Everyone’s in on the joke, but no one is winking at the camera—and that’s key. You sell dumb humor by taking it seriously, and this cast knows the assignment.
Watching this in a theater full of people genuinely laughing—loudly, often, and together—was a rare joy. And that experience wasn’t limited to long-time fans. Even newcomers (like one viewer’s girlfriend, who had no idea this was a spoof movie going in) were laughing from start to finish. The Naked Gun doesn’t rely on nostalgia to earn its laughs—it earns them the old-fashioned way: with sharp timing, physical comedy, and gag-after-gag commitment.
This movie is going to get a sequel. It’s already nearly made back its budget, and word-of-mouth is strong. It deserves to succeed, not just because it revives a long-dormant genre, but because it reminds us that going to the movies to laugh with strangers is still one of the best experiences out there.
If there’s a lesson Hollywood should take from this: don’t drag legacy characters out just to coast on name recognition. Give them something smart, silly, and respectful to do. The Naked Gun does just that.
The Naked Gun = 82/100
