‘Naked Gun' Reboot is One of the Best Comedies of the Decade — 78 on MC, 90% on RT

Wit the genre in dire straits this decade, we need comedy right now, more than ever. As Liam Neeson recently stated, humor is a necessary prescription in 2025 “because we’re all f*cked.”

I come as the bearer of very good news. Neeson’s reboot of “Naked Gun” is hilarious. The joke-per-minute ratio is absurd. In fact, it comes really close, but not quite, to equaling the 1988 original, starring the wonderful Leslie Nielson.

Thank the heavens Lonely Island’s Akiva Schaffer decided to take this one on, and he’s accompanied here by returning collaborators Dan Gregor and Doug Mand. Schaffer’s movie credits include having directed “Hot Rod” and “Popstar: Never Stop Stopping.” Enough said.

This “Naked Gun” is lean and brisk, running a tight 85 minutes, with minimal modern references and a well-balanced blend of silly humor. Neeson excels at deadpan delivery, and this role plays perfectly to his strengths. Pamela Anderson is also entertaining. And what more is there to say about Paul Walter Hauser? He’s a scene stealer in every movie he shows up in.

This reboot is quite honestly what you get if Lonely Island decided to make a “Naked Gun” movie. In some moments, there are even shades of “Hot Rod” and ‘Popstar.’ The kind of relentless juvenile humor that only they can pull off. Sure, it’s disposable fun, but you won’t have any regrets watching it.

As you can tell, the review embargo has lifted, and “Naked Gun” is getting strong notices. So far, it’s 90% on Rotten Tomatoes and 78 on Metacritic. Easily one of the best reviewed comedies of the entire decade.

Have Schaffer, Neeson and company saved comedy? I sure hope so. I want this one to make as much money as possible. We need laughs right now, and the least Hollywood can do is greenlight more comedies. Oh, and watch this one with an audience. It’s absolutely essential. There’s no better feeling than communal laughter.