The Naked Gun

UK Release Date. 10 February 1989
Certification. 15
Running Time. 1 hour 25 mins
Director. David Zucker
Cast. George Kennedy, Ricardo Montalban, Leslie Nielsen, Priscilla Presley.
Rating. 50%

Review.

It is difficult to watch The Naked Gun with a critical eye. I’ll admit, I struggle. There are undoubtedly issues with the film. For a start, the film is juvenile, crass, sexist, and generally skirts the edge of offensive. But does it really matter? The Naked Gun is awash with silliness - slapstick, cheap jokes, toilet humour, and a multitude of acerbic pop culture references - that most of us will find ourselves laughing, despite the fact that the comedy is absolutely absurd.

Rising from the ashes of the harshly cancelled Police Squad!, The Naked Gun was the creation of screenwriters Jerry Zucker, Jim Abraham and David Zucker - the creators of Airplane!, Top Secret! and Ruthless People.

A career-defining performance from Leslie Nielsen as Lieutenant Frank Drebin is the undoubted highlight of the film. Nielsen plays every joke completely straight with deadpan delivery. His one-liners come thick and fast, made funnier by his ‘that was odd, but I won’t question it’ facial reactions.

Sadly though, The Naked Gun failed to live up to Airplane! and Airplane II: The Sequel and the character of Lieutenant Frank Drebin remains ultimately better suited to the episodic 25 mins format of Police Squad!