The Naked Gun – A Hilarious Reboot Packed with Satire (Movie Watch Diary #20)

Hello, movie lovers! Welcome back to The Movie Hunter and my twentieth Movie Watch Diary on Bookimov: Books & Movies! Today, I’m diving into The Naked Gun (2025), directed by Akiva Schaffer and starring Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson. This reboot of the iconic comedy franchise hooked me with its laugh-out-loud opening and sharp Hollywood satire, though some moments felt off. It’s a wild ride that earns a 7/10 from me. Let’s break it down, and as always, I need your movie picks for my next diary!

The Naked Gun (2025) - A Laugh-Filled Start

From the first scene, The Naked Gun (2025) grabs you with a hilarious twist: a schoolgirl walks into a bank robbery, only to reveal she’s Detective Frank Drebin Jr. (Liam Neeson) from Police Squad in disguise. It’s a perfect blend of absurd humor and action, setting the tone for a comedy that doesn’t take itself seriously. I loved this opening—it’s pure Naked Gun energy, echoing the zany spirit of the original trilogy.

The Plot and a Legacy Reboot

The Naked Gun (2025) is a legacy sequel to the beloved franchise that started with The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988), followed by The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear (1991) and Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult (1994), all based on the short-lived TV series Police Squad! (1982). Those films, led by Leslie Nielsen’s iconic Frank Drebin, were comedy classics from the Zucker-Abrahams-Zucker team. This reboot, produced by Seth MacFarlane and directed by Schaffer of The Lonely Island, follows Frank Drebin Jr., son of the original Drebin, as he takes on a new case to save Police Squad from closure. He teams up with Beth Davenport (Pamela Anderson) to stop evil billionaire Richard Cane (Danny Huston) and his mysterious P.L.O.T. device, retrieved in a bank heist. The story unfolds with slapstick gags, action, and a mission to thwart Cane’s plan to unleash chaos on Los Angeles.

Satire That Hits Hollywood Hard

What sets this reboot apart is its clever critique of Hollywood clichés. One running gag had me chuckling: everywhere Drebin and Beth go, they’re handed coffee cups, poking fun at the trope of detectives always sipping coffee in crime dramas. This meta-humor elevates the comedy, taking jabs at predictable movie conventions while delivering absurd laughs, like the literal wordplay (“UCLA?” “I see LA every day, I live here”). It’s a love letter to the original’s daffy humor while roasting modern cinema.

Standout Scenes and Performances

One of my favorite scenes is when Frank and Beth go on a “vacation” to infiltrate Cane’s operations. They encounter an adorable snowman that turns sinister, attacking them in a hilarious twist that’s peak Naked Gun absurdity. Neeson’s deadpan delivery, honed from his action roles like Taken, makes every gag land, while Anderson’s comedic timing as Beth adds charm and wit. Their chemistry is a highlight, carrying the film through its wild plot.

Another brilliant scene involves a fake hospital set to extract a confession from a criminal. It’s staged like a Mission: Impossible mask reveal but smarter—layered with multiple fake sets within sets, first to trick the criminal, then to fool another detective. It’s a clever nod to the franchise’s love of deception, executed with sharp comedic precision.

Ratings and Reception

The Naked Gun (2025) has been well-received, earning a 7.8/10 on IMDb (from 48,000 votes) and a stellar 90% on Rotten Tomatoes (from 112 critics, audience score 85%). Critics, like those at The Hollywood Reporter, praise Neeson’s “dead serious delivery” and the film’s revival of the original’s humor, with audience reviews calling it “laugh-a-minute” fun. The high Rotten Tomatoes score reflects its success in capturing the franchise’s spirit for a new generation.

A Few Off Notes

While I enjoyed the film, some parts felt uneven. A few gags, like an overlong car chase parody, didn’t land as well, and the plot occasionally gets lost in its own absurdity. These moments slightly disrupt the flow, but the laughs and satire keep it engaging.

See also: Superman (2025) – A Superhero with a Human Heart (Movie Diary #19)

A Comedy Worth Watching

The Naked Gun (2025) is a hilarious reboot that honors its predecessors while poking fun at Hollywood tropes. Neeson and Anderson shine, and scenes like the snowman attack and fake hospital set are comedy gold. I give it a 7/10—not perfect but a blast I’d rewatch for its clever gags and nostalgic charm. If you love comedies or the original Naked Gun films, this is a must-see.

What did you think of The Naked Gun (2025)? Did the coffee cup gag or the hospital scene crack you up? Drop your thoughts in the comments, and here’s the big one: suggest a movie for my next Movie Watch Diary! I’m craving something funny or bold, so hit me with your picks. If you enjoyed this post, please like, follow, and share so you don’t miss the next hunt. Thanks for joining me—see you in the next one.