Lieutenant Frank Drebin of Police Squad uncovers a plot to
assassinate Queen Elizabeth II and must work fast to stop it. COMEDY/CRIME
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The Naked Gun: From the
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The Naked Gun is one of the funniest slapstick comedies of all time and is easily Leslie Nielsen's best film. His role as incompetent police lieutenant Frank Drebin has since become iconic, mostly because of Nielsen's deadpan portrayal and hilarious line delivery. Aided by a hilarious ensemble cast and a witty screwball script by the Zucker Brothers, it's no surprise that this film spawned a trilogy of timeless comedies.
Leslie Nielsen earned his comedic chops with Airplane!, but he proved he deserved to keep them with The Naked Gun. This film wouldn't be nearly as funny without him front and center and its his comedic genius that has made this one of my favorite comedies. Alongside him is Priscilla Presley, who plays the lovely Jane Spencer. She and Nielsen have great chemistry and are really funny together. The villain, Vincent Ludwig, is played by Ricardo Montalban, who is clearly enjoying himself. George Kennedy and a pre-murder trial O.J. Simpson play Drebin's partners at Police Squad, rounding out a solid cast that help bring the Zuckers' hilarious script to life. The film acts as a parody of tough guy cop movies like Dirty Harry, and succeeds in that aspect. It doesn't make fun of them, but rather celebrates their more entertaining aspects by doing an over-the-top replay of them. The formula works, and it continued to work for two more movies that I felt lived up to this 80's classic. From sight gags to straight up slapstick, The Naked Gun has it all. |