A Hilarious, Yet Familiar, Reboot
Thirty years after the last installment, the iconic slapstick franchise makes its return with a new film released on August 1, 2025.
Directed by Akiva Schaffer, this fourth entry stars Liam Neeson as Frank Drebin Jr.—the son of the original Leslie Nielsen character—alongside Pamela Anderson, Paul Walter Hauser, Kevin Durand, and Danny Huston.
Critics largely agree that it’s a triumphant, albeit familiar, revival.
Plot: Absurdity Runs in the Family
Haunted by his father’s disastrous legacy, Frank Drebin Jr. (Neeson) inadvertently stumbles into chaos while disguised as a schoolgirl during a bank heist—serving as a distraction for the theft of the mysteriously labeled “P.L.O.T. Device.”
When his over-the-top methods become a legal liability, he’s reassigned just as tech mogul Richard Cane (Huston) unveils a plot to revert humanity to barbarism using the device.
Teaming up with Beth (Anderson), the sister of a murdered engineer, and partner Ed Hocken Jr. (Hauser), Drebin unravels a scheme involving billionaire bunkers and global chaos.
The narrative primarily serves as a framework for gags, including a murderous snowman, a rogue self-driving car, and Drebin’s accidental indecent exposure at an MMA match.
The climax unfolds during a New Year’s ball drop, where even Drebin Sr.’s ghostly owl cameo contributes to the lunacy.
Comedy Style: A Relentless Joke Machine
Hailed as one of 2025’s funniest films, The Naked Gun revitalizes the spoof genre with an impressive density of jokes.
Schaffer and writers Dan Gregor and Doug Mand channel the Zucker-Abrahams-Zucker (ZAZ) playbook, packing humor into the dialogue, backgrounds, and even end credits.
This “non-stop onslaught of silliness” prioritizes belly laughs over logic, blending deadpan delivery, slapstick, puns, and visual absurdity.
While cultural references may resonate unevenly around the world, the combination of physical comedy and wordplay ensures universal appeal.
The brisk 85-minute runtime maintains energy without dragging.
Cast Performances: Neeson’s Unexpected Turn
Neeson’s casting initially raised eyebrows, but his dramatic gravitas proves to be a perfect deadpan foil for the chaos.
He delivers outrageous lines with stoic precision, showcasing surprising comedic talent.
While he may not possess Nielsen’s “eerie innocence,” his “steely-eyed glare” shines through.
Anderson shines as the sweetly determined Beth, Huston exudes sleazy charm as Cane, and Hauser channels the loyal sidekick energy of the original Ed Hocken.
The cast fully commits, making the absurdity feel organic.
Box Office and Legacy: A Promising Future?
The film debuted to $28.5 million worldwide ($17 million domestic, $11.5 million international) against a $42 million budget—modest but promising for a comedy reboot.
Critical acclaim has been strong (90% on Rotten Tomatoes, 76% audience score), sparking discussions about an “R-rated comedy comeback.”
While some argue that it doesn’t surpass ZAZ’s Airplane! or the original Naked Gun, many consider it “arguably just as funny” as the trilogy.
It honors its roots without rehashing them, capturing the ZAZ spirit with fresh vitality.
Conclusion: A Laugh-Out-Loud Return
The Naked Gun (2025) is a joyous, lighthearted romp that prioritizes laughter over profundity, and it succeeds in doing so.
Neeson’s comedic pivot and Schaffer’s direction revitalize the franchise with relentless energy.
For fans of slapstick and absurdity, it’s a must-see that serves as a reminder that sometimes, all you need is unapologetic, old-fashioned fun.
