In 1988, Frank Drebin debuted on the silver screen and went down in history as an unforgettable force in the comedy scene. 37 years later, Frank Drebin Jr. must succeed in his father’s footsteps, but it’s almost like nothing has changed between the release of the original Naked Gun and Akiva Schaffer’s latest same-name film.
Stepping into the role this time is Liam Neeson (the Taken franchise), who takes over the reins from Leslie Nielsen, and leads an ensemble cast that includes Pamela Anderson (Baywatch), Paul Walter Hauser (Black Bird), Danny Huston (Yellowstone), CCH Pounder (ER), and Kevin Durant. As over 200 lucky attendees who caught Geek Culture’s The Naked Gun premiere screening on 6 August would know, the legacy sequel proved to be a homecoming for franchise veterans and a fun time for newcomers.
Held at GV Plaza Singapura in collaboration with UIP Singapore, the event saw both fans old and new receiving an exclusive embossed collectible card print that reads, “I want you to pull my finger”, setting the tone for when the lights dim. As spoofing chaos, deadpan delivery, and unapologetically crass jokes unfolded over 85 minutes, one thing remains clear as day — slapstick never dies.
The Naked Gun represents Neeson’s first time spearheading a comedic romp, marking a departure from his usual action-heavy roles. Written by Dan Gregor and Doug Mand, who previously worked on the Emmy-winning Disney+ feature Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers alongside Schaffer, it serves as the fourth instalment in the franchise, comprising the original classic, the 1991 sequel, The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear, and Naked Gun 33+1⁄3: The Final Insult. David Zucker helmed the first two movies, while Peter Segal took over for the final trilogy entry.
The Naked Gun opens in cinemas in Singapore on 7 August.
Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.
Kevin Low
Destro
