Move over, Taken—Liam Neeson has a new “particular set of skills,” and they’re hilarious. The Naked Gun reboot, starring Neeson as the bumbling Lt. Frank Drebin Jr., has stormed into theaters with a Certified Fresh 89% on Rotten Tomatoes and an A- CinemaScore, proving that even in 2025, slapstick silliness reigns supreme. Directed by Popstar’s Akiva Schaffer and produced by Seth MacFarlane, the film delivers rapid-fire gags with surgical precision, earning praise for Neeson’s deadpan brilliance and a scene-stealing turn from Pamela Anderson.
“A Masterclass in Restrained Chaos”
Critics are raving about the film’s airtight comedy mechanics. Screen Rant applauds its “surprising restraint,” noting that jokes “never overstay their welcome but linger just long enough for laughter to build.” The Playlist credits Schaffer’s “sleek, efficient” direction, packing gut-busting laughs into every frame of its lean 85-minute runtime. Meanwhile, RogerEbert.com highlights Neeson’s genius pivot from Oscar dramas (Schindler’s List) and action flicks (Taken) to absurdity: “His deadly seriousness makes the deadly stupidity funnier.”
Pamela Anderson’s Triumphant Return
Anderson, playing Drebin’s love interest Beth Davenport, earns standout reviews for her “buoyant screen presence” (THR) and “impeccable comic timing” (Deadline). Her breathy, offhand delivery—like a Baywatch alumna wandered into a Zucker brothers sketch—lands some of the film’s biggest laughs.
The Verdict: A Much-Needed Comedy Cure
With a supporting cast including Paul Walter Hauser, Kevin Durand, and WWE’s Cody Rhodes, The Naked Gun leans hard into its legacy while feeling freshly unhinged. Vulture declares it “the kind of movie that might just heal the world,” urging viewers to “see it with the biggest audience possible.”
Don’t Miss the Madness
The Naked Gun reboot is now in theaters—your prescription for unabashed, world-healing laughter. #NakedGun
Final Thought: In an era of gritty reboots, this one remembers the golden rule: If it’s stupid and it works, it’s not stupid. And boy, does it work.
The Pop Blog general news and updates, mostly from press releases and conferences.