Liam Neeson steps into the iconic role of Lt Frank Drebin Jr in the reboot of The Naked Gun, a spoof of 1980s LA action movies that has been hailed as the funniest film of 2023. Neeson, known for his dramatic roles, deadpans impeccably in this outrageously amusing comedy, though he may lack the eerie innocence of the original Leslie Nielsen.
The film, directed by Akiva Schaffer and co-written by Dan Gregor and Doug Mand, follows Drebin Jr as he investigates the murder of a man found dead in a hi-tech electric car. The plot pits him against a sinister plutocrat, Richard Cane, played by Danny Huston. Along the way, Drebin falls for true-crime novelist Beth, portrayed by Pamela Anderson, leading to a series of absurd and hilarious scenarios.
Despite criticism from original co-creator David Zucker, the reboot has been praised for its outrageous gags, including riffs on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Sex and the City, as well as a controversial reference to OJ Simpson. The film also features a classic Zucker/Abrahams/Zucker homage, with a moment of mayhem followed by a wide shot of people queueing for violence.
Neeson's performance has been noted for its rumbly-menacing voice, even sillier than his iconic Taken role. The film's look and feel evoke 80s LA action movies like Beverly Hills Cop and Terminator, with an extended winter-sports-themed pop video representing the romance between Drebin and Beth. While disposable and forgettable, the reboot is undeniably enjoyable and a lot of fun.
