The reboot of the classic spoof comedy, The Naked Gun, is generating significant buzz following its premiere on July 28, 2025, in New York City. Early reactions from viewers and critics suggest the film is a hilarious and worthy successor to the original trilogy. Many are praising the movie's "nonstop laughter" and "relentlessly funny" approach.
Directed by Akiva Schaffer and produced by Seth MacFarlane, the film stars Liam Neeson as Lieutenant Frank Drebin Jr., stepping into the shoes of Leslie Nielsen's iconic character. Pamela Anderson stars as Beth Davenport, described as a femme fatale inspired by Priscilla Presley's role in the original films. The cast also includes Paul Walter Hauser, Kevin Durand, and Danny Huston. Cameos from Michael Bisping and Cody Rhodes add to the film's comedic flavor.
Critics who attended advance screenings are expressing their positive impressions on social media. David Ehrlich of IndieWire stated that he "laughed so hard I cried" during at least six scenes. Dimitri Kraus from Movie Maker lauded the film's "highest joke-to-minute ratio since Jackass Forever," calling it "a small miracle that a movie like this exists in the current theatrical climate". YouTuber Sean Chandler noted that the audience laughed so loudly, he missed some jokes. Another critic, David Gonzalez, called the film "a breath of fresh air in modern comedy". Drew Magray wrote that the film "brought the whole house down".
The film is not a strict remake but rather a "legacy sequel," introducing Frank Drebin Jr. as the son of the original character. The creative team aims to honor the spirit of the original films while updating the humor for contemporary audiences. According to those who have seen the film, Neeson's performance is perfect for the role, and his comedic chemistry with Anderson is wonderful. One viewer stated, "I saw The Naked Gun and I can now say they ARE making them like they used to!". Another viewer wrote, "Holy hell, The Naked Gun is the funniest flick I've seen for a while...The compact 85 minute runtime makes this an enjoyable watch from start to finish. It's consistently funny".
Akiva Schaffer co-wrote the screenplay with Dan Gregor and Doug Mand. Schaffer is known for his work with The Lonely Island and Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers. The original Naked Gun films were based on the television series Police Squad!, created by David Zucker, Jim Abrahams, and Jerry Zucker. The new film seeks to recapture the absurd humor and memorable one-liners that made the original trilogy so successful.
The Naked Gun is set to release globally on August 1, 2025. Early box office predictions are strong, and Paramount Pictures is optimistic about the future of the franchise. The film is expected to blend traditional slapstick with more sophisticated humor, demonstrating the genre's ability to adapt and thrive. Some critics are already calling it a potential contender for the funniest movie of the year.
