While slightly delayed due to the volume of requests, I’m here to share my review of the 2025 rendition of “The Naked Gun“, featuring Liam Neeson in the lead role, along with Pamela Anderson, Paul Walter Hauser, Danny Huston, CCH Pounder, and Kevin Durand in supporting roles. The film follows the son of Lt. Frank Drebin as he attempts to follow in his father’s footsteps to prevent the closure of Police Squad. From the start, it presents itself as a fun, laugh-out-loud comedy crime drama.
I must emphasize that movies like this aren’t meant to be serious dramas. Instead, they aim to bring us back to our carefree youth, where we find joy in some of the most outrageous comedy imaginable—some of which may even border on inappropriate. Personally, and judging by the reactions of the nearly sold-out audience, it delivered on that front.
There have been some questions regarding Liam Neeson, but he proves himself in this silly role, showcasing his talents as a great actor. Then there’s Pamela Anderson, fresh off her recent Oscar nomination; like Neeson, she and most of the cast deliver strong performances. What surprised me was the film’s decent and entertaining storyline, which included actual drama and action, making this new rendition of “The Naked Gun” a better film than many might expect.
Several themes are explored in the movie, such as doing what is right despite the risk of offending others and the expected consequences of defying the system. We also see themes of family and the pursuit of love. While the questions of how and where we find love may be debatable, the desire to find it is a theme I can personally relate to, as I think many can.
Additionally, there’s a deeply rooted spiritual theme that the film embraces, which many, especially in today’s world, seem to overlook—the spiritual blessing of laughter. In a time of political strife and widespread animosity, I found myself in need of laughter more than ever, and based on the atmosphere in the theater, it seems like I wasn’t alone. The laughter during the film was apparent throughout, and I haven’t heard such genuine laughter in a long time.
For those nostalgic for the old characters, such as Lt. Frank Drebin, you’ll be pleased to know there is a memorable moment where he saves the day. In that scene, we witness the love between a father and son. While the way the senior character provides salvation may be unconventional, it remains heartfelt and necessary.
Is this a perfect movie? No, it has its flaws, but it has been released at a perfect time in history—a time when it feels good to laugh and enjoy ourselves, at least for most of us. I can imagine that certain aspects of the humor may not resonate well with everyone, particularly those who are sensitive to religious or progressive themes, but I encourage viewers to lighten up, find joy in laughter, and appreciate the action and story that unfolds.
On a scale of 1 to 10, while not flawless, it is a better-than-average movie, and I would rate it a satisfying 7.