The new Naked Gun delivers what its viewers hope for: relentless absurdity, slapstick, wordplay, outlandish visual gags, and a respect for the original’s tone. Directed by Akiva Schaffer and with Liam Neeson stepping into the Drebin shoes, as well as a brilliant turn from Pamela Anderson, The Naked Gun proves that comedy has its place on the big screen. Here are some of the funniest moments that audiences have been talking about.
The Opening Heist
One of the film’s first major laughs arrives in the bank-robbery opening, where a group of criminals is abruptly stopped by what appears to be a little schoolgirl clutching an oversized lollipop. But this isn’t an ordinary child—it’s actually Drebin Jr. in disguise. The gag escalates hilariously when Drebin tears off the mask to reveal a full-grown Liam Neeson dressed in a schoolgirl outfit, taking on the robbers. As if that wasn’t ridiculous enough, the scene concludes with Drebin casually propping his leg on a step, exposing strawberry-patterned pink briefs. This delightfully absurd introduction firmly establishes The Naked Gun’s over-the-top comedic style and instantly lets the audience know exactly what kind of outrageous ride they’re in for.
Pop Culture Riffage
The film doesn’t hold back when it comes to poking fun at modern pop culture. From Frank scolding Beth for deleting his Buffy the Vampire Slayer recordings from the TiVo (“No musical special. No Xander. No Spike. No Cordelia Chase. No Daniel ‘Oz’ Osbourne. No Willow-meets-her-doppelgänger episode. Nothing!”), to his lingering outrage over the Janet Jackson Super Bowl incident—which somehow leads him to arrest an entire McDonald’s—the references are pure comedic gold. Add in his and Richard’s shared admiration for Fergie (“The Duchess!”), which hilariously builds to a fight scene set to Fergalicious, and the film becomes a nonstop parade of pop culture gags. These clever, unexpected references keep the laughs coming and ensure the humour stays fresh and familiar,
“Take a Seat”
Many of the film’s funniest moments stem from the electric chemistry and back-and-forth between Frank and Beth—played by Pamela Anderson. Their playful, will-they-won’t-they dynamic amplifies the humour, giving each gag an extra spark. In their first encounter, Frank tells Beth to “take a seat,” which she takes a little too literally—hauling a chair with her as she exits. All after she already says she has enough at home. It’s a small, perfectly timed bit of physical comedy that captures The Naked Gun’s signature blend of absurdity and charm.
The Scatting Scene
Staying on the theme of Pamela Anderson’s character Beth, one of the most surprising laughs‐out‐loud moments comes from Beth’s jazz club performance under the disguise of “Cherry Roosevelt Fat Bozo Chowing Spaghetti”. Officially titled “Sassafras Chicken in D,” the whole sequence is a diversion, but Anderson commits fully — scatting along to a smooth jazz beat for a commendable amount of time. What viewers will be delighted to know is that there is an even longer version of the scatting sequence in the bonus features of The Naked Gun.
Continuing with Pamela Anderson’s character, Beth, one of the film’s most unexpectedly hilarious moments unfolds during her jazz club performance, where she performs under the outrageous alias “Cherry Roosevelt Fat Bozo Chowing Spaghetti.” The number, officially titled “Sassafras Chicken in D,” serves as a diversion for Frank’s sneaking around, yet Anderson throws herself into it completely—scatting enthusiastically to a smooth jazz rhythm for an impressively long stretch. Fans will be delighted to learn that an even longer version of this delightfully bizarre sequence can be found in The Naked Gun’s bonus features.
The Snowman Montage
What begins as a cosy, romantic ski cabin getaway for Beth and Frank quickly spirals into one of the film’s most ridiculous sequences. The couple share many tender moments—nestled in the cabin, and building a snowman together. But to their surprise, the snowman magically springs to life. At first, the trio enjoys an oddly wholesome bond, but things take a hilariously dark turn when the snowman grows envious of Beth and Frank’s blossoming romance. Consumed by jealousy, it begins plotting their demise, leading to an outrageously over-the-top montage of snowy sabotage and slapstick mayhem. The sequence escalates with each gag, leaving the audience in fits of laughter.
In the end, The Naked Gun manages to do what few modern comedies dare—it fully embraces the ridiculous. Akiva Schaffer’s direction captures the heart of the original franchise while giving it a fresh, modern rhythm, and Liam Neeson proves a surprisingly perfect fit for the deadpan chaos that defines Frank Drebin. With its mix of outrageous absurdity and unrelenting visual gags, the film reminds audiences of the joy in pure, unapologetic silliness.
The Naked Gun is available to rent and buy on digital now and shortly arriving on DVD, Blu-Ray™ & 4K Ultra HD™ November 10th. Stay tuned to the site, as we may well have a cool competition to support the home entertainment release next month…
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