Title – The Naked Gun (2025)

Director – Akiva Schaffer (Hot Rod)

Cast – Liam Neeson, Pamela Anderson, Paul Walter Hauser, Danny Huston, Kevin Durand

Plot – Unconventional LA police officer Frank Drebin Jr. (Neeson) is drawn deep into a dangerous case that involves tech mastermind Richard Cane (Huston) and potential new love interest Beth Davenport (Anderson)

“I have a Bon Jovi T-shirt for that”

Review by Eddie on 22/08/2025

A film no one seemingly wanted and very few believed in, Akiva Schaffer’s legacy addition to famed comedic brand The Naked Gun is easily one of 2025’s most pleasant surprises.

While far from ground-breaking and unashamedly silly, if quite often subtlety brilliant, this new take on The Naked Gun series is oddly the exact type of film the world and the movie industry needs, a baggage free and joke a minute exercise that embraces its heritage and offers up an unrelentingly quick-fire experience that harbours more jokes, quips and creative imagination than most of what we find in today’s comedy marketplace.

Backed by Family Guy mastermind Seth MacFarlane who acts as producer here and overseen by Lonely Island alumni and Hot Rod and Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping director Schaffer, Gun delivers a joyously over the top and fun 80 minute movie-going experience that reminds us all of the joys of a well done spoof film and well made Hollywood comedies in general, appearing as somewhat of a shining light in the mainstream comedy market that has evolved into cheap and uninspired streaming releases for the most part.

Enlisting the leading man services of the 73 year old Liam Neeson to step into the shoes of the iconic Leslie Nielson, Neeson relishes the chance to bring Frank Drebin Jr. to life as the unique LA Police Squad lieutenant gets involved in a dangerous case of murder and mystery that takes him on a wild journey that includes everything from A.I advancements, jealous entities, window repair men and a delicious turkey dinner.

It’s unquestionable that some viewers may not get on board with what Gun’s trying to do here, for anyone that snubs their noses at juvenile or slapstick humour they should steer well clear of this venture, for anyone else that is after a film that shoots from the hip when it comes to firing off jokes at every given chance, Gun’s hit ratio is incredibly high as it sustains its momentum and energy across its brisk feeling runtime.

With some unexpectedly great support from Pamela Anderson as Frank’s new potential flame Beth Davenport, Danny Huston as key suspect Richard Cane (literally in possession of a P.L.O.T device) and Kevin Durand as Cane’s goon Sig Gustafson who witnesses things that will scar him for life, Gun is filled to the brim with wins and an all round sense of fun and playfulness that showcases mainstream big screen comedy isn’t dead and Hollywood can do better when it comes to the once thriving comedy scene.

Final Say –

For anyone willing to jump on board, The Naked Gun is sure to be a highly entertaining delight, a film packed to the brim with quotable and laugh out loud moments, highlighting what can be done with comedy ventures when their given proper care and effort.

4 snowmen out of 5