Rating: 3/5
Synopsis:
Comedies have been a sore spot at theaters for many years. But Paramount has decided to revive “The Naked Gun” franchise and see if audiences still have an interest in spoof humor. Liam Neeson mixes it up as Frank Drebin Jr., the offspring of Leslie Nielson’s titular character. After many years on the force, the Police Squad is in jeopardy of being shut down. But Frank discovers a tech mogul who has sinister intentions for the public. Can Frank’s discovery and desire for justice stop this madman before it’s too late? Or will his shenanigans cause everything to fall apart?
Positives:
“The Naked Gun” is one of those franchises where what you see is what you get. There is no thought provoking analysis on the human condition or clever humor meant to highlight current social elements. This is a ridiculous, over the top spoof movie meant to elicit belly laughs for its absurdity. In that sense, it does a great job. Liam Neeson has always displayed an ability to time his comedy well. He transitions those skills here, playing each comedic scene with a straight face. There are many instances where his action star persona perfectly falls into the absurdity of the story. Same with Pamela Anderson, who matches the charisma of Neeson as his femme fatale. Their dynamic onscreen showcases the many years of experience they both have. The comedy in the film falls right in line with the rest of the “Naked Gun” films. Its slapstick absurd nature is likely to please fans of the original series while being a fresh introduction to new viewers. On a positive note for many, the movie clocks in at a quick eighty-five minute runtime, avoiding the trend of being too long. The movie doesn’t take itself seriously in the slightest, so if a light hearted comedy with plenty of gags is of interest, “The Naked Gun” is a good option.
Negatives:
In the same vein, “The Naked Gun” has a brand of humor that won’t be for everyone. I found myself laughing in and out throughout the runtime. The brand of humor it presents isn’t exactly the kind of humor that I relate to. It’s one of those movies that will have those who love it and those who don’t connect with it. There isn’t much wrong with the film at all. But like most comedy, it will be subjective to the viewer. For me, this is a fun time with an audience that isn’t an experience I’m going to remember for a long time. This brand of humor will work well for the right crowd. I’m just not the target audience.
Conclusion:
I enjoyed “The Naked Gun” for what it is. It proudly displays an old school sense of spoof humor that breathes some life into a genre that desperately needs it. While the humor didn’t always work for me, the commitment to the gags is impressive. Neeson and Anderson are perfect fits for these roles, who are likely to connect to audiences of all ages. This is worth a watch if this brand of humor seems funny. But again, humor is subjective to the viewer. Keep that in mind when deciding whether or not to give this a chance.
