The Naked Gun (2025) Movie Review

I was sold the moment I saw Liam Neeson in a schoolgirl uniform. I mean, come on—if that doesn’t scream “cinematic gold,” what does? The promo for The Naked Gun (2025) had me ready to buckle up for a wild ride of slapstick chaos, deadpan delivery, and maybe a few accidental explosions. And with Pamela Anderson in the mix? I was expecting camp, sass, and maybe a slow-motion hair flip or two.

To its credit, the film does try to honor the OG Naked Gun legacy. There are nods to Frank Drebin Sr., a few recycled gags, and an attempt to keep the dry, absurdist humor alive. Neeson plays Drebin Jr., and while he’s got the gravelly voice and the “I have a particular set of skills” energy, slapstick isn’t exactly his natural habitat. Watching him fumble through banana peels and awkward disguises is amusing—but mostly in a “bless his heart” kind of way.

Pamela Anderson’s character, Beth Davenport, brings some sparkle, especially during her impromptu scatting scene. I chuckled. Not a belly laugh, not a snort—just a polite, “heh.” And that pretty much sums up the whole movie. It’s not offensively bad, but it’s not the laugh riot the trailer promised either. In fact, if you’ve seen the trailer, congrats—you’ve already seen the best parts. The rest feels like a long setup for punchlines that never quite land.

The plot? Something about Drebin Jr. trying to save the Police Squad from being shut down while chasing a stolen gadget called the “P.L.O.T. Device.” Yes, they actually called it that. Points for self-awareness, I guess. There’s a lot of running, yelling, and random cameos—including one from Busta Rhymes as a bank robber, because why not?

I saw it the week after release and I’m just now writing this review, which should tell you how deeply it moved me. It’s one of those films you watch, shrug, and immediately forget until someone brings it up and you go, “Oh yeah, that happened.” Watch at your own risk. If you’re nostalgic for the original trilogy, maybe just rewatch those instead. But if you’re in the mood for Liam Neeson in drag and a few scattered chuckles, this might scratch that oddly specific itch.

I sadly give this film 2 out of 5 acorns.