Paramount’s new version of The Naked Gun, featuring Liam Neeson as Lt. Frank Drebin Jr. and Pamela Anderson, is set to hit theaters this Friday. Critic reviews have been mostly positive so far.
This sequel comes over 30 years after 1994’s Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult. Directed by Akiva Schaffer, who co-wrote the script with Dan Gregor and Doug Maud, the film brings fresh energy while aiming to honor the classics, which include the original Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988) and its follow-up, The Naked Gun 2 1/2: The Smell of Fear (1991).
The cast includes Paul Walter Hauser, CCH Pounder, Kevin Durand, and more. As of Wednesday, the film is ranked 90% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes and 78 on Metacritic.
Critics are divided but intrigued. David Rooney from The Hollywood Reporter notes Neeson’s comedic chops. He highlights the chemistry between Neeson and Anderson, even if the film doesn’t always hit the comedic mark. Rooney writes that the humor, sometimes politically incorrect, captures the spirit of the original films, though he wishes it were funnier overall.
In contrast, Richard Lawson from Vanity Fair finds that while the new film can’t match the original’s brilliance, it pays homage well. He appreciates the effort but notes it could have been tighter.
Jake Coyle from the Associated Press points out that Neeson, while committed, doesn’t quite embody the legendary style of Leslie Nielsen. He feels that the reboot may encourage viewers to revisit the classic.
Bilge Ebiri from Vulture finds the film in tune with its predecessors, though lacking the original’s grand finale energy. On the flip side, David Fear from Rolling Stone argues that the movie’s pacing struggles after a strong start.
Peter Bradshaw from The Guardian is blunt, stating the new version offers light-hearted fun but lacks depth. Johnny Oleksinski from the New York Post strongly disagrees, calling it “the biggest surprise of the year” and praising its relentless humor.
This mix of opinions highlights the challenge of rebooting beloved franchises. As humor evolves, it’s interesting to see how comedy sequels adapt to meet modern tastes. While Neeson’s portrayal may not completely resonate with some fans, the aim seems clear: to entertain and invite laughter, just like the originals did.
As for how audiences will react, social media buzz indicates excitement for a fresh take on a classic. Many seem eager to see how modern humor blends with nostalgia.
For more insights on the impact of reboots in comedy, check out this report from Variety.
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Liam Neeson,Pamela Anderson,Paramount,Paul Walter Hauser,The Naked Gun,What the Critics Are Saying
