“The Naked Gun” follows Detective Frank Drebin Jr., who must solve a murder case to prevent the Police Squad from shutting down.
One thing is certain — audiences are going to go wild for “The Naked Gun.” This reboot is earned. It pays homage to the original series and films, preserving the franchise’s absurdist nature. With its faithful approach, it’s so refreshing that it actually works.
They don’t make comedies like this anymore. “The Naked Gun” delivers a nonstop barrage of jokes from the opening shot to the final scene. That’s not an exaggeration, with the film unleashing punchline after punchline, rarely pausing for breath. From the opening scene, you’ll know whether you’re in or out. Even more impressively, it doesn’t just tell a joke and move on. Director Akiva Schaffer repeats several bits to the point of absurdity, and they continue to land. It includes some of the funniest moments of the year. One scene in particular earned the biggest laugh of 2025 so far.
Liam Neeson is a huge reason why this works. Through his narration, dialogue and mannerisms, nothing is taken seriously. His deadpan delivery is perfect, nailing every line with a straight face and fully embodying the clueless, stone-cold cop. Pamela Anderson also adds a fun presence, bouncing off Neeson in all the right ways. It’s a pitch-perfect pairing that keeps the movie consistently funny.
In a movie this silly, the plot takes a backseat. The script moves through all the familiar beats, with few surprises along the way. But it’s the comedy that keeps “The Naked Gun” alive. At just 85 minutes, the film doesn’t have much room to breathe. When the jokes don’t land — and occasionally, they don’t — even five minutes can feel like an eternity.
The second half suffers most. As the plot thins, the laughs grow less frequent, and the momentum dips. Thankfully, the movie rebounds for a satisfying conclusion. Still, it’s not without inconsistent stretches that slightly drag things down.
The film leans into its carefree tone, occasionally veering into lazy visuals. This is especially apparent in the action, with awkward CGI that is distracting in numerous sequences. But, because it’s so firmly set in its own ridiculous world, it gets away with it. “The Naked Gun” now joins “Friendship” and “Happy Gilmore 2” as 2025 comedies that are just too dumb not to love.
“The Naked Gun” is stupid in all the right ways, and just smart enough to know it. It’s a throwback that honors the past and kicks the door open for what the genre’s future should be.
Rating: 4 out of 5
