Naked Gun: A New Spin on an Old Favorite

The film Naked Gun is back on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, and frankly, the spoof genre has, well, seen better days. It’s like a withered vine, isn’t it? There are a few notable examples lately, but mostly, we’re looking at what’s left of franchises like Scary Movie. The cynic in me might mention that a new Naked Gun wouldn’t even exist if it weren’t for today’s obsession with reboots and sequels. Anyway, producers like Seth McFarlane, known for Ted and Family Guy, have taken the reins after the original Zucker/Abrahams/Zucker trilogy wrapped up over three decades ago. Of course, Leslie Nielsen—who passed away—will be missed, but isn’t it curious that Lilam Neeson’s name sounds a bit reminiscent? We’re not here just to critique but to see if we can still laugh as much as we used to. Spoiler alert: It’s a sturdy revival worth watching.

Let’s dive right in: Frank Drebin Jr. (now played by Neeson) is amidst a bank robbery, where he’s tasked with taking down the bad guys in a rather chaotic manner. The plot kicks in when he mishandles a plot device—yes, a literal one. Just roll with it! The humor here, while silly, is reflective of the good old days, and we might just forget how strange everything else feels while getting lost in the antics.

The narrative thickens as Drebin strolls through various visual gags, mostly coffee-related, aiming to prove he’s the star of the LAPD’s special unit. Spoiler: he’s indeed the son of the original Frank Drebin, played by Leslie Nielsen. And we have his partner, Captain Ed Hocken Jr. (played by Paul Walter Hauser), and Chief Davis, whose name I won’t even begin to untangle here.

As fate would have it, there’s a comical car accident involving a tech billionaire’s ugly electric vehicle, leading to the demise of Drebin’s clumsy friend. Subsequently, Drebin meets the sister of the deceased, Beth Davenport (played by Pamela Anderson), introducing her to the ridiculousness we all secretly cherish. Oh, and let’s not forget the absurdly named character, Cherry Roosevelt Fatobozowing Spaghetti—try saying that over your Zero Sugar RC Cola.

As for what’s reminiscent—you might think of Mission: Impossible or Jack Frost, but really, why not just revisit the classics like Airplane! and Kentucky Fried Movie?

Not to overlook the performances, both Neeson and Anderson toss their star power into this rollicking mess with impressive timing. Neeson’s commitment to being the goofy lead is both surprising and refreshing. And, as always, Anderson brings her trademark charisma—it’s something we didn’t forget.

And then there’s the recognizable gag: an audio cue that’s all too relatable when waste hits the bottom of the trash can. It’s the little things, really.

Now, is there some raunchy humor? Yes, expect infantile gags—and perhaps even some over-the-top situations involving dogs. All in good jest, of course.

Our take? This version of Naked Gun delivers a refreshing joke that seems to echo all that made the original a hit. If the rest of the film manages to keep half that quality, we’re likely in for a real treat. With a joke-to-hits ratio of about 2:1, it’s jam-packed with laughs crafted around clever parody and dated gags alike. And yes, “dated” here somehow translates to “timeless.”

The writers, Dan Gregor and Doug Mando, adeptly play with various comedic styles—from slapstick to wordplay to visual puns—essentially bringing a modern twist to what we remember fondly. But let’s be real, we’re not aiming for profound themes or deep dives into current events. Instead, we’re just here for the silly escapism, and thankfully, this installment assures us it’s very much alive and wonderfully absurd.

For our final verdict? Naked Gun 2000’n 5 earns a solid 25 chili dogs out of a possible 25 for lunch—stream this one when you can!