'The Naked Gun' review: Liam Neeson feels exposed

Paramount Pictures

Comedy is back? Sound the alarm. City halls better be prepared for a fight since The Naked Gun is shooting its shot on silver screens, bringing back the franchise of the same name that is based on the 'Police Squad!' TV series by David Zucker, Jerry Zucker and Jim Abrahams for a fourth round and acts as a sequel to 1994's 'Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult'. Liam Neeson puts on multiple uniforms as Frank Drebin Jr., a lieutenant and son of Frank Drebin, whose reckless nature threatens to shut down his police department in Los Angeles, California. Frank ends up investigating a questionable death, which introduces him to the victim's sister Beth Davenport (Pamela Anderson). He also encounters tech CEO Richard Cane (Danny Huston) who is revealed to have stolen a dangerous piece of tech called P.L.O.T. Device that he intends to use for evil purposes. These cases are connected and hijinks ensue.

It feels borderline criminal to talk sincerely about something that is so sincerely committed to the bit and isn't looking for a lot of intense interrogation, but hey, let's do it anyway. Director-writer Akiva Schaffer, co-writers Dan Gregor and Doug Mand, and company just want you to have a grand ol' time at the movie theatre and laugh or breathe loudly out of your nose every 30 seconds or so. Everything else is secondary because this is unabashedly a hard-boiled comedy and the good news is that the comedy department has what the American police departments lack entirely: professionalism, competent people, smarts, a sense of humour and interest in making people feel safe and alive in every sense of the word.

Throw away your champagne from Bill Cosby's collection, take a seat and relax because you get witty wordplay with references that appeal to different demographics. You say you want more? Well, you also get incredible sight gags that utilise Bill Brzeski's production design like a certain jail break scene. More? How about a hilarious snowman-at-a-cabin sequence that feels like an unused The Lonely Island bit, sharp sound editing with Wilhelm screams and bowling sounds, solid stunt work, or a recurring bit with coffee for us caffeine-heads? It's all here. The writers also show that as long as you're actually funny and creative, it's easy to drop knee-slappers while punching up and taking subtle jabs at washed-up comedians instead of begging for shock laughter by saying something offensive. And even when The Naked Gun opts for offensive, it makes sure to paint Black Eyed Peas and an evil tech CEO as the clowns in that scenario.

Pointing out Black Eyed Peas' crime against humanity that is somehow worse than 'I Gotta Feeling' is already a great start for pop culture references, but Schaffer obviously uses the spoof element to riff on both classic and modern cinema. There's noir characterisations and lighting as well as crime drama essentials that you expect walking in. Then parts of the movie, such as the opening, resemble Christopher Nolan's 'Tenet' and 'Batman' films, while other parts have similarities to modern action staples (read: Ponzi schemes) like 'Mission Impossible' and 'John Wick', and even those schmaltzy holiday romance flicks that haunt Hallmark audiences.

A key aspect causing all of these separate elements to sing the same scat tune is Neeson as the lead. He's pretty much pitch-perfect here, delivering each line with great comedic timing and palpable glee in terms of intonation. His synergy with Anderson—who also possesses the kind of comedic timing that provokes toilets to beg for the brown—adds to the overall enjoyment as well, flattening some of the speed bumps caused by composer Lorne Balfe's bland, musty score and the bare-bones plot. A few charming character actors and cameos show up to sprinkle in some extra spice onto your Bon Jovi shirt, but we shall not spoil those right now.

One last key aspect making sure that the script, actors and never-stopping jokes get their chance to shine is Brian Scott Olds' editing, which punches up aforementioned line deliveries, sight gags and other ridiculousness, in addition to controlling the pace in order to turn in a tight 80-minute barrage of man's laughter. Frank Drebin won't be throwing anyone involved in the movie jail because The Naked Gun has proper firepower when it comes to batting average. Wholly different and original might be a stretch, but a real hoot is not. Even star ratings are pointless when it comes to something like this.

Smileys: Humour, screenplay, Liam Neeson, editing

Frowneys: Score

Thanks for the Netflix password! Now if only we knew the email address we're supposed to use.

4.0/5

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