All the screenshots in this post were taken directly from the movie by me.
A few days ago, I was fortunate enough to see the Naked Gun trilogy starring Leslie Nielsen and directed by David Zucker for the first time. These three brilliant films perfectly represent the potential of parody as a genre, which has been diminished in recent years by films like Epic Movie and Disaster Movie, films that were undoubtedly entertaining but sustained almost solely by the multitude of pop culture references, rather than by the genuine quality of their comedy.
The truly challenging thing about bringing a franchise like Naked Gun to the present day is that, although its script remains impeccable by modern standards, we can't ignore the fact that its style of humor remains deeply rooted in the era in which it was created. Today's audiences may not be as receptive to the slapstick and visual gags that took classic films to the top.
The mission is complicated, but in the end, we could say there were only two ways to complete it: either readjust its comedy style to modern standards, or, despite acknowledging the passage of time, maintain what made the '80s films great.
The decision to use Liam Neeson as Frank Debrin's heir seemed brilliant to me, and, although I'm not the biggest fan of Seth MacFarlane's writing, it's likely his love for the trilogy led him to approach this mix of remake and sequel with great respect, preserving the impeccable pacing that always characterized The Naked Gun in a modern setting.
The Naked Gun is a brilliant sequel. It perfectly understands everything that worked in the past and knows how to refresh the formula. It neatly mimics its style of humor and has callbacks and references to David Zucker's films that, without being intrusive, will bring a smile to those who grew up with them.
The existence of a work like this is almost miraculous, a modern comedy with familiar faces and a generous budget for visual gags. Featuring Pamela Anderson and Paul Walter Hauser who simultaneously pay homage to their predecessors while bringing something subversive and refreshing to the table.
The Naked Gun is one of the most brilliant comedies of the decade, and it's a shame audiences haven't supported it enough.
This score was taken from my Letterboxd account.
Twitter/Instagram/Letterbox: Alxxssss
