THE NAKED GUN (2025) Review

There’s a certain kind of comedy we just don’t see anymore — the “brainless but brilliant” kind. Films like Airplane!, Hot Shots!, Clue, or even the Ace Ventura franchise were unapologetically absurd, driven by sight gags and one-liners that often made no sense and didn’t need to. Somewhere along the way, Hollywood forgot how to just be silly. Enter the reboot of The Naked Gun, and suddenly, I felt like I was back in the 1980s, laughing at the kind of jokes that only work because they’re so stupid.

Paramount’s new Naked Gun is both a reboot and a love letter to the original trilogy starring Leslie Nielsen. It introduces us to Lieutenant Frank Drebin Jr. (Liam Neeson, clearly having a blast), who inherits his father’s knack for stumbling into heroism. Pamela Anderson co-stars, bringing a sharp, funny, and surprisingly self-aware performance that plays perfectly off Neeson’s deadpan delivery. Paul Walter Hauser shows up in a supporting role as Drebin’s partner — though, if I have one complaint, it’s that the movie doesn’t give him nearly enough to do.

The Spirit of Slapstick Lives On

What impressed me most is how well the film balances nostalgia with fresh energy. There are plenty of callbacks to the original Police Squad tone — the offbeat one-liners, the background gags you’ll miss if you blink — but this reboot carves its own identity. Neeson’s performance is a mix of Leslie Nielsen’s classic buffoonery and the gruff, intimidating vibe of his Taken days, with a sprinkle of Clint Eastwood's Dirty Harry grit thrown in for good measure. The result? Comedy gold.

This is a movie that knows exactly what it is. The plot — if you can even call it that — is just a vehicle for the jokes. And trust me, the jokes-per-minute ratio is off the charts. My theater was packed, and the laughter was nonstop from the opening scene to the end credits. It reminded me of the rare comedies of the last decade that dared to go all-in on absurdity, like Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping (2016) or Game Night (2018).

Needle Drops That Steal the Show

The soundtrack here is another secret weapon. From a perfect Diane Warren banger in a ridiculous slow-motion romance montage to surprise drops from Fergie, and even Enya — each choice feels deliberate and adds to the humor rather than leaning on “obvious” hits. It’s one of the most cleverly curated comedy soundtracks I’ve heard in years.

Pamela Anderson, Back in Style

Anderson is a revelation here. She plays a knowingly exaggerated version of her iconic bombshell persona — older, wiser, but still hilariously in on the joke. Her chemistry with Neeson gives the film its heart, even when the narrative is intentionally nonsensical.

A Lean, Mean 80 Minutes

At just around 80 minutes, the movie doesn’t overstay its welcome. It’s all killer, no filler — something more modern comedies could learn from. Every scene is packed with visual gags, blink-and-you-miss-it background jokes, or deadpan exchanges that practically demand multiple rewatches.

The Verdict

For me, The Naked Gun (2025) nails both “the craft” and “the crux.”

THE CRAFT: The technical side — from the practical effects to the soundtrack — is surprisingly sharp, earning a 9/10.

THE CRUX: The heart of the film, the comedy and spirit, also lands at a 9/10. This is easily one of the funniest, most joyously dumb comedies I’ve seen in years, and a perfect revival of a franchise that helped define slapstick parody.

🍿 FINAL SCORE = 90 / 100

*Watch the full YouTube review HERE.