Watch The Naked Gun

The Naked Gun is a comedy film from 1988, directed by David Zucker and starring Leslie Nielsen, Priscilla Presley, and O.J. Simpson. The film follows the adventures of Lt. Frank Drebin (Nielsen), a bumbling detective who works for the LAPD's special Police Squad division. The movie opens with an assassination attempt on Queen Elizabeth, who is visiting LA. Drebin is tasked with protecting the Queen and unravelling the conspiracy behind the assassination attempt. He is aided by Jane Spencer (Presley), a love interest and the daughter of the industrialist who is sponsoring the Queen's visit. Along the way, the two fall in love and Drebin discovers a sinister plot involving a corrupt businessman who plans to assassinate the Queen and start World War III for profit.

The film is a parody of the classic police procedural genre, complete with exaggerated characters and slapstick humor. Nielsen's portrayal of Drebin is played for laughs - he is a clueless and inept detective who constantly stumbles his way through the case. However, he somehow manages to solve the case, despite his ineptitude.

The Naked Gun is full of memorable gags and one-liners that have become iconic in pop culture. The film's success is largely due to Nielsen's performance, who was able to deliver even the most ridiculous lines with a straight face. For example, when Drebin is searching for a suspect, he asks a group of people, "Have any of you seen this man?" and holds up a picture with the suspect's face obscured by a "censored" bar. Another classic moment is when Drebin accidentally knocks over a shelf of condoms at a pharmacy, causing a domino-effect of falling products.

The film's cast also includes O.J. Simpson in a supporting role as Drebin's partner, Nordberg. Simpson's comedic timing and physical presence make him a standout in the film. However, his later legal troubles have made it difficult for some audiences to appreciate his performance.

The Naked Gun's humor is not without controversy. The film's use of racial stereotypes and insensitive jokes has been criticized in recent years. For example, Drebin disguises himself as a black man in one scene, and seemingly for no reason other than to create a false comedic situation.

Despite these criticisms, The Naked Gun remains a classic comedy and a must-watch for fans of the genre. Its influence can be seen in countless other films and TV shows. It spawned two sequels and several spin-offs, including a short-lived TV series. The film's success helped establish Nielsen as a comedic icon, and his performance as Lt. Frank Drebin is often cited as one of the funniest in film history.

In conclusion, The Naked Gun is a comedic masterpiece that deserves its place in pop culture history. While some of its humor may be dated and controversial by modern standards, it's still a fun and enjoyable ride for those who are willing to overlook its flaws. Nielsen's performance is a comedic tour de force that stands the test of time, and the film's gags and one-liners are still quoted and referenced to this day. If you're in the mood for a good laugh, The Naked Gun is an excellent choice.

The Naked Gun is a 1988 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 25 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.6 and a MetaScore of 76.