As a child, I saw the original NAKED GUN at least 20-30 times. It’s one of my favorite comedies of all time, and I’ve quoted random bits from it for years. Sadly, there has been a lack of spoof comedies on the big screen since THE SCARY MOVIE franchise in the early 2000s. My theory is that the genre didn’t die; it simply moved to animated movies. Rewatch SHREK, DESPICABLE ME, or MADAGASCAR, and you’ll see there are the three elements of a classic spoof-comedy:
- Random visual sight gags
- References to obscure movies or TV shows
- Verbal puns and deadpan delivery of jokes
I’m happy to report that THE NAKED GUN [2025] delivers a “P.L.O.T. Device” that’s funny enough to bring this genre back from the dead. While Liam Neeson will never replace Leslie Nielsen, he does a bang-up job delivering his hilarious lines with a straight face, all while drinking one too many cups of coffee. It’s also with pleasure to say that after THE LAST SHOWGIRL and now NAKED GUN – Pamela Anderson is officially back! She gets to do her spin on Priscilla Presley’s original role, and is hilarious in it (especially the apartment sequence with shadows).
So, “Take a Chair,” debate some outdated “Black Eyed Peas” lyrics, and see a movie that’s even funnier with an audience. I had a blast and can’t wait to see it again.
It’s available in theaters now.
