Police Squad is back fighting crime in Los Angeles but this time the lead detective is none other than Frank Drebin Jr., the son of Frank Drebin (Leslie Nielsen). Liam Neeson takes on the role of Jr. in this 2025 reboot of the popular comedy franchise The Naked Gun.
After stopping a bank robbery and single-handedly beating the multiple robbers to a pulp, Frank is reprimanded by his boss, Chief Davis (CCH Pounder). Apparently, overuse of violence is frowned on, so Frank finds himself reassigned to investigate what seems to be a simple death-by-suicide car accident.
Once he returns to the station, Frank is told that a stunning woman, Beth Davenport (Pamela Anderson), is waiting to see him. Beth reveals it was her brother who was killed in the accident, and she’s certain he didn’t commit suicide. She is convinced he was murdered. Taken by her beauty and feeling for what she is going through, Frank promises he’ll investigate.
The trail Frank follows leads him to Beth’s brother’s boss, CEO of Edentech Richard Cane (Danny Huston), who has an evil plan dubbed P.L.O.T. Device (Primordial Law of Toughness) that has mind-altering properties. The tech CEO plans on unleashing P.L.O.T. Device on the unsuspecting world.
Frank must be careful, however, since Cane is well connected and has influence…bought and paid for…over the police. Aware that Cane is responsible for murder and that P.L.O.T. Device is about to affect all of Los Angeles, Frank becomes determined to stop him at all costs.
Packed with a barrage of jokes and running gags that hit their marks, The Naked Gun reboot is a goofy and enjoyable crime comedy in the same spirit as the original film. Liam Neeson is perfectly cast as Frank Drebin Jr., the bumbling, determined detective who follows right in his father’s footsteps. Neeson’s dry, deadpan performance matches Leslie Nielsen’s from the original film. Plus Neeson also spoofs his tough guy persona from the Taken films.
Pamela Anderson is refreshing as Beth, the woman who is determined to solve her brother’s murder and falls into a relationship with Frank. Neeson and Anderson share excellent chemistry on screen. And Anderson really shines in a scene at the nightclub where Beth makes up lyrics to keep Cane distracted while Frank sneaks around to find evidence.
Danny Huston is great as the villain, playing most of his scenes straight and serious opposite the inept detective Drebin Jr. It’s clear Neeson and Huston enjoyed working opposite each other; it shows on the screen.
The Naked Gun reboot, featuring non-stop slapstick, wordplay, sight gags, and a hilarious performance by Liam Neeson, is hands down one of the best comedies of the year. Here’s hoping it spawns a new The Naked Gun trilogy.
GRADE: B+
Rating: PG-13 for violence, bloody images, crude/sexual material, and brief partial nudity
Release Date: August 1, 2025
Directed By: Akiva Schaffer
Studio: Paramount Pictures
