The Naked Gun Review: Liam Neeson & Pamela Anderson’s Chemistry is a “Gut-Busting” Delight

With Liam Neeson’s deadpan gravity and Pamela Anderson’s “revelatory” comic timing, The reboot surprisingly honors the slapstick legacy of the original while creating a new, gut-busting delight.

August 1, 2025: The highly anticipated reboot of the cult classic The Naked Gun has been released, with director Akiva Schaffer attempting to revive the franchise’s slapstick humor. The film, which stars Liam Neeson in the iconic role of Frank Drebin Jr., has been met with a mixed critical reception, with many praising its gutsy approach but noting that it fails to live up to the anarchic spirit of the original.

Acting & Performance

Liam Neeson’s performance as Frank Drebin Jr. is a key part of the film’s appeal. His deadpan seriousness in the face of utter absurdity is the primary source of humor, and his portrayal of the “stubborn old man” character is a central part of the comedic chaos. While his comic timing is not always perfect, his incongruous presence is noted as part of the joke.

However, the standout performance belongs to Pamela Anderson, who plays crime-writer Beth Davenport. She is described as a “true delight,” with a featherlight comic timing and surprising sparkle that helps to ground the film’s chaos. The supporting cast is deemed less impactful, with Danny Huston as the villain being “underdeveloped” and Paul Walter Hauser, as the sidekick, fading into the background.

Aesthetics & Tone

Visually, the film is described as competent, with slick editing and clever visual gags. The production design blends noir with cartoon logic, and the score is said to play it safe. The most notable moments are the “inventive set-pieces,” which include a cringe-inducing dashcam sequence and Neeson’s over-the-top stuntwork. These scenes offer glimpses of the original’s chaotic spirit, but they are often isolated sketches rather than part of a cohesive narrative.

The Verdict

Ultimately, The Naked Gun is called a “mixed bag”—cheeky and chaotic, but not consistently clever. While the film benefits from Neeson’s presence and Anderson’s standout performance, it never fully commits to its own madness in the way its predecessors did. The review concludes that while it may not leave audiences in splits, it’s a refreshing change from over-polished reboots and is sure to coax a chuckle or two.