The Naked Gun (2025) Review – Still Silliness, Now With Anderson & Neeson
Directed by Akiva Schaffer, The Naked Gun (2025) attempts the unthinkable: revive a spoof classic without Leslie Nielsen in a cinematic era where comedy has either gone full cringe or full algorithm. But with Liam Neeson playing it straight and Pamela Anderson surprisingly stealing scenes, this reboot mostly sticks the landing—even if the plot feels like an afterthought.
Cast & Premise of The Naked Gun
Neeson stars as Frank Drebin Jr., the son of the original deadpan disaster cop. He’s pulled into a messy investigation involving a tech mogul’s suspicious death and a possible assassination attempt tied to a high-profile award show. Pamela Anderson plays Beth Davenport, a bestselling true-crime podcaster who might be Drebin’s only competent ally—or maybe a suspect.
It’s absurd. It’s chaotic. It knows exactly what it is.
The Neeson-Anderson Combo in The Naked Gun
Neeson never tries to be funny—which is exactly why he is. His commitment to the bit mirrors what made the original films work: sincerity in the face of complete lunacy. Every pratfall, double entendre, or exploding snack cart is met with his trademark gravitas, and somehow it lands.
Anderson, meanwhile, is the surprise MVP. She’s charismatic, self-aware, and delivers her lines with the same tongue-in-cheek charm that made Priscilla Presley iconic in the original trilogy. Their chemistry works, even if the script doesn’t always give them enough space to breathe between punchlines.
The Naked Gun Gag Density: High
This movie doesn’t slow down. There’s a joke in every frame—sometimes five. Some of it works: a malfunctioning AI stenographer gag in a courtroom scene gets extended laughs, and a “suspicious package” misunderstanding at an airport security line hits classic spoof heights. Other bits, like a tech startup office parody that feels two years too late, land with a thud.
The ratio is about 65/35 in favor of laughs. Not perfect, but high enough to call it a win.
Plot? Not Really
Let’s be real. Nobody came for a coherent thriller. The “case” is barely a backdrop for set pieces, cameos, and visual chaos. The villain is generic, and the final act leans too hard into action parody with diminishing returns. It could’ve used a trim—but at just over 85 minutes, it’s hard to complain.
Legacy & Cameos in The Naked Gun
The film makes space for nods to the original: photos of Leslie Nielsen and George Kennedy in the precinct, sound cues that mimic the old score, and yes—an extended cameo montage that includes Weird Al Yankovic, Cody Rhodes, Busta Rhymes, and CCH Pounder. Some land, others are pure novelty.
Verdict Breakdown for The Naked Gun
| Category | Works | Doesn’t |
|---|---|---|
| Performances | Neeson commits, Anderson shines | Supporting cast is hit or miss |
| Comedy | Strong visual gags, solid absurdity | Some misses, pacing lags in Act III |
| Direction | Stays true to ZAZ DNA | Could’ve used tighter edits |
| Writing | No social media bait, timeless goofs | Plot barely exists |
TL;DR (For The Skippers)
- Liam Neeson plays it 100% straight—and it works
- Pamela Anderson is shockingly great as the female lead
- Plot is thin, but the jokes keep it afloat
- Better than expected for a 2025 spoof reboot
Final Thoughts on The Naked Gun
The Naked Gun (2025) is dumb—but in the way we used to love. It doesn’t reinvent the genre, but it does something most comedies today are afraid of: it swings big, falls flat occasionally, and makes you laugh out loud more than once. And that alone makes it worth watching.
