Liam Neeson takes aim at his rote thriller roles in the giddy, riotous “The Naked Gun”

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After gaining critical acclaim for ‘Schindler’s List’, Liam Neeson reached new heights in his career with the 1993 comedy film ‘The Naked Gun‘. This role elevated him to the A-list. However, his shift towards action movies, like the 2009 thriller ‘Taken’, where he saved his daughter from kidnappers, earned him the title of Action Movie King, or the ‘King of the B’s’. Since then, he has been portraying characters who save various family members and other individuals, as well as diverse settings such as trains, mines, battleships, airplanes, and even a pub. Ironically, his own image has been gradually damaged over time.

Comedy provides a refreshing boost, particularly when it comes to hard-boiled humor that allows Neeson to poke fun at his questionable acting choices. In “The Naked Gun,” directed by Akiva Schaffer, Neeson’s character careens about, colliding with objects just like a specially designed Liam Neeson vehicle. It’s surprising yet fitting to see him in this role given it’s the fourth film in a 40-year-old series linked closely to another renowned dramatic actor, Leslie Nielsen, who initially played the character of Lt. Frank Drebin in the 1982 TV show “Police Squad!” and continued with three feature films. At Nielsen’s funeral, they carried his coffin to the tune of the “Naked Gun” theme. His tombstone carries a fart joke as an inscription.

In this rephrased version, Liam Neeson portrays Frank Drebin Jr., the son of Frank Drebin who assumed his father’s position as a self-assured LA cop. The identity of his mother remains unknown. Co-writers Schaffer, Dan Gregor, and Doug Mand have wisely decided to treat this plot premise with respect to our intelligence. Younger Drebin struggles with both maternal and marital issues (having been breastfed until middle school and being a typical widower). His father serves more as a combination of guardian angel and obstacle course. A fascinating trivia: Neeson is 11 years older than Nielsen was when he originally played the role.

Neeson’s Drebin expresses a desire to emulate you, yet also be unique and innovative, as he kneels at his deceased father’s altar within police headquarters. His colleagues, Ed Hocken Jr. (Paul Walter Hauser) and Not Nordberg Jr.’s (Moses Jones), similarly pay their respects to their forebears, George Kennedy and O.J. Simpson, each receiving the due reverence.

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“The Naked Gun” is the kind of stupid we all need right now

The comedic style evident in this sequel, which is Schaffer’s work, appears to have been heavily influenced by the witty humor of ZAZ (David Zucker, Jim Abrahams, and Jerry Zucker), famous for their work on “Airplane!”. Each joke seems meticulously crafted, much like how Archimedes might calculate mathematical problems. The sequel skillfully revisits all the key elements of the original film: chaotic opening scenes, mechanical chaos, toilet humor involving technology, a climactic sporting event, and the lovable lunacy of Frank’s love interest (in this case, Beth, played by Pamela Anderson). Even cameos are cleverly placed, with appearances from Priscilla Presley and her famous stuffed beaver. However, unlike a parody of a parody, these callbacks feel more like familiar, trusty gags that reappear in Groucho Marx-style glasses.

In my opinion, it’s quite challenging to express how truly laugh-out-loud funny this comedy is. The English language isn’t exactly rich with terms that perfectly capture hilarity. (“Amusing?” “Witty?” Only if I’m playing a game of Scrabble.) Showcasing its comedic prowess through examples spoils the jokes, which is quite unfortunate when its humor relies heavily on visual and linguistic double-entendres, as well as prolonged physical mishaps that, in the original, would stretch for several moments. (Schaffer usually restricts it to three or four.)

The clever wordplay is woven throughout the closing credits, highlighting roles such as a set decorator, an office set, and a wardrobe set. However, it’s the leading actor who takes center stage first. Liam Neeson wasn’t cast solely due to his name sounding like “Leslie Nielsen” when said with a mouthful of banana, but the resemblance surely brought a chuckle during casting sessions.

In this scenario, Liam Neeson has given his voice a gravelly texture for the movie. He finds humor in saying “mittens” with a growl that makes us film enthusiasts wonder. For ages, we’ve been fixated on his sharp features, yet it’s rare to see him sport a broad, goofy grin like this. It seems he can’t allow himself to enjoy too much. The fundamental principle of ZAZ-style comedy is that you must never seem as though you’re part of the joke. However, Anderson comes close to breaking this rule when she bursts into a jazz scat. This moment is saved by Danny Huston’s captivated expression. As the villainous Richard Cane, he truly relishes it. Otherwise, Anderson maintains her ground, delivering her quips with the innocent charm of Marilyn Monroe.

In my opinion, it’s fascinating how “The Naked Gun” encourages even non-comedians to deliver their lines with a straight face. For instance, when the chief (played by CCH Pounder) orders Frank to activate his body camera, he lets out a disgruntled “Since when do cops have to abide by this rule?” The viewers can judge whether that line is meant to be heartfelt or sarcastic.

However, humor has significantly transformed since the ’80s. It’s not just changed; it’s evolved even more drastically since the early 2000s, a period when popular movies thought jokes about prison rape were amusing. Richard aspires to rewind society back to pre-enlightened times. In much the same way that modern trendsetters advocate for paleo diets, he aims to make humanity more Neanderthalic. Following his line of thought, this could potentially align our antagonist with our protagonist, as Frank too froze his preferences around the turn of the millennium. (Even though Frank’s main interest lies in hoarding old episodes of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” on his digital video recorder.)

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When Frank playfully teases Kevin Durand, who resembles an ice-blonde thug, saying they’ll “adore you in San Quentin,” there’s a discernible pause, as if to ask for a rewind, before Schaffer alters the jest drastically. Unlike a traditional “Naked Gun” comedy that might regress, this one aims to surprise and excel while avoiding degradation. The film is determined to maintain its PG-13 rating, resulting in some surprisingly vulgar, ribald slapstick without any nudity whatsoever. The climactic fight scene creatively uses nonlethal violence, with Neeson sliding between the legs of a row of opponents as if in a Busby Berkeley musical, striking each opponent in the groin.

In my opinion, the cinematography in this modern police drama leans a bit too heavily on melodrama, with an overuse of foggy backdrops that sometimes feel suffocating. However, Anderson’s eyes are perfectly illuminated by the film noir lighting, and I must admit, the comedic elements skillfully woven into the deep shadows of the set are spot-on.

After four installments, there are just as many “Naked Gun” movies as there were episodes of “Police Squad!” that aired before it was canceled. As Leslie Nielsen put it, the small television screen didn’t do justice to the comedic exploits of Lt. Frank Drebin. In a sitcom format, the jokes packed in more than viewers at home could handle. Yet, he gleamed proudly that on the big screen, even if it were to fall on you, you wouldn’t miss a single joke.

Today, large-scale comedies like this one are often viewed as a financial gamble. To save money, “The Naked Gun” filmed some of its Los Angeles scenes in Atlanta, and humorously pokes fun at the film industry by showing views of downtown L.A. that gradually become unrealistic and comical. Fittingly, some screenings start with Neeson’s recorded PSA advocating for big-screen burlesque. “Saving comedy is no joke,” he seriously states. Given Neeson’s track record, let him save this genre as well.

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2025-08-01 16:34