Films for Breakfast

Attempting to revamp The Naked Gun franchise without the beloved Leslie Nielsen is a Herculean task – one I couldn’t even begin to comprehend tackling. But when it was announced that Akiva Schaffer of The Lonely Island fame (and so much more) would be taking a crack at it, my interest was immediately piqued. Schaffer is one of the few voices in comedy right now that feels both unique and fresh. Even when working with pre-existing IP, he consistently strikes a smart balance between honoring the original and injecting his own distinct style. And with his Naked Gun reboot, it may very well be the best example of that.

Following in the footsteps of his bumbling father, Detective Frank Drebin Jr. (Liam Neeson) is tasked with solving a murder case to prevent the police department from being shut down – that’s the “plot” being sold to audiences. But let’s be real: no one is buying a ticket for a Naked Gun film for the plot. The true draw here is how many jokes can be packed into an 85-minute runtime. The answer? So. Many. The Naked Gun is an absolute joke machine, within a 5-10 joker per minute ratio for its entire duration. By the time the credits rolled, my face was actually sore from laughing so much. And, of course, even the credits themselves deliver more laughs.

As mentioned earlier, the film is directed by Akiva Schaffer, an SNL alumni/comedian with a distinct and dependable voice in the genre. He strikes the perfect balance between honoring the spirit of the original films, making it feel like a natural extension rather than a cash grab, while also ensuring it stands apart enough to feel distinctly like an Akiva Schaffer project. There are countless sequences that are hilarious purely because of how expertly directed they are – from clever sight gags and brilliant physical comedy to simple yet effective framing techniques that amplify the jokes to their fullest potential. This film is a masterclass in slapstick, and much of its success can be credited to Schaffer’s sharp direction.

Taking over from Leslie Nielsen is no small feat – his impeccable delivery and unwavering commitment to the material made every moment of the original trilogy so effortlessly funny. But Liam Neeson proves within the first few minutes that he’s more than up to the challenge. His comedic timing and delivery here are nothing short of sublime. By leaning into his Taken-esque persona, which has become a staple of his career since 2009, Neeson blends deadpan humor with a genuinely committed physical performance. The result is a perfect fit for the role, capturing exactly what you’d want from a lead in a Naked Gun film.

A huge standout of the film is Neeson’s chemistry with his love interest, Pamela Anderson, who also fully embraces the absurdity of the material with a top-notch comedic performance. Many of the film’s best moments come from their dynamic, particularly in a lengthy, nightmarish sequence involving the two of them. Their ability to play off each other with such deadpan sincerity, paired with a brilliantly ridiculous screenplay, creates a perfect storm of comedy – it’s lightning in a bottle. The supporting cast is consistently strong, with standout contributions from Paul Walter Hauser, CCH Pounder, Danny Huston, Liza Koshy, and Kevin Durand – all clearly having a blast. Even brief appearances from the likes of Cody Rhodes and Busta Rhymes leave a lasting impression, making the most of their limited screen time.

There’s an infectious, joyous spirit that runs through The Naked Gun from the very first scene, and it completely won me over from the start. The film is shamelessly devoted to making you laugh – whether through the dumbest puns, the most elaborate slapstick setups, or blink-and-you-miss-it visual gags; and it does so with such confidence and charm that it’s impossible not to be swept up in it. What makes it even more endearing is the clear sense of love and respect everyone involved has – not just for the original franchise, but for the craft of comedy itself. It’s the kind of film where every frame feels engineered for maximum silliness, yet it’s all delivered with such precision and sincerity that the absurdity becomes artful.

In a filmmaking landscape increasingly dominated by IP-reboots that have seemingly shut the comedy genre out of theatrical releases entirely, The Naked Gun stands out as a rare exception – a revival that not only justifies its existence but earns its place alongside the originals. It’s a film that understands what made its predecessors beloved, yet goes beyond justifying its existence and delivers an all-time comedy. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of the original trilogy or just in the mood for a smartly stupid good time, The Naked Gun delivers in spades. If comedy is a dying art form in modern studio filmmaking, consider this a jolt straight to the heart.