After watching the new trailer forThe Naked Gun, I’m thrilled to see the Liam Neeson movie I’ve waited a decade for.Liam Neeson’s best moviesinclude all-time classics likeSchindler’s Listas well as blockbusters likeStar Wars: Episode I,The Chronicles of Narnia,Batman Begins, and many more.He’s best known for action thriller films likeTaken, but he’s one of the few names I can look to for an outstanding performance in practically any genre. I wouldn’t have assumed he’d be brilliant in comedic roles, but he nails those, too.
The originalNaked Gunmovie is a classic of goofy 1980s satire comedies, much likeAirplane!It’s one of my go-to titles to turn off my brain and enjoy mindless laughter, but no one has mastered that genre quite like Leslie Nielsen, the late great actor who began theNaked Gunfranchise with the TV seriesPolice Squad!These movies are pure, unadulterated fun, and I couldn’t think of a better combination of creatives to developThe Naked Gunrebootthan Akiva Schaffer, Seth MacFarlane, and Liam Neeson.
The Naked Gun Looks Like A Genuinely Hilarious Role For Liam Neeson
The Naked Gun Is Perfectly Suited For Liam Neeson
In a world filled with reboots, spinoffs, sequels, etc,The Naked Gunis one of the few titles I would’ve thought impossible to succeed with. The original film is so distinctly of its era that it would seem impossible to pull off in the modern day. The style of comedy is incredibly deadpan, and there just aren’t many satire films of its type finding success. I mean, the only recent ones I can think of that fulfill a similar tone areCocaine BearandDon’t Look Up, both of which were met with mixed responses.
After seeing the trailer of Liam Neeson inThe Naked Gunreboot, I’ll admit I think I was wrong. The trailer is rather brief, but itprovides a demonstration of the style of humor this movie will contain, and it feels faithful to the original series. Neeson seems like a shockingly apt successor to Leslie Nielsen’s version of the character, willing to embrace the self-depreciation that comes with a role like this. I was also pleasantly surprised to see the movie acknowledging the O.J. Simpson elephant in the franchise’s room.
Liam Neeson Hasn’t Done A Comedy Since His Excellent Ted 2 Cameo
Neeson’s Ted 2 Cameo Is Comedy Gold
If you’re a fan of Seth MacFarlane’s work, you’ve probably seen Liam Neeson’s cameo inTed 2, which was shockingly his most recent comedic performance. Those movies, particularly the second one, are inconsistent to me, butthe clip of him checking out Trix from a grocery store is one of my favorite bits MacFarlane has ever written. I’m in the camp that loves the random absurdity ofFamily Guy, and I’m hoping to see more of this inThe Naked Gunreboot.
The Naked Gun: Why Liam Neeson Is the Perfect Leslie Nielsen Replacement
The Naked Gun reboot will reportedly replace Leslie Nielsen with Liam Neeson as the main star, and he is the perfect choice for the movie.
Liam Neeson has done myriad action movies and thrillers in the past decade, most of which are of theTakenilk when comedy could be a fantastic turn for this stage in his career. Consider actors like Harrison Ford and Robert De Niro, who were primarily"serious" actors who found success in comedy. Many actors are talented in improv and have solid comedic chops, which is part of what makes interview shows so enjoyable to watch. Liam Neeson is one of the best, and this genre has untapped potential for him.
Liam Neeson Embracing Comedy With The Naked Gun’s Reboot Is Refreshing
Liam Neeson Is An Excitingly Subversive Choice
Liam Neeson is the perfect actor for this gig, and it’s oddly for the opposite reasons that made Leslie Nielsen ideal for the original. Leslie Nielsen was an actor whose career was defined by satires with a particular style, which worked perfectly in an era with a fondness for those movies. Liam Neeson is the polar opposite, witha career defined by his intensity in action thrillers likeTaken.
Everyone knows the “I will find you, and I will kill you” line, which makes his subversion of those tropes even more hilario
Everyone knows the “I will find you, and I will kill you” line, which makes his subversion of those tropes even more hilarious. I’m always favorable to the unexpected choice. While Liam Neeson has done comedy before,his comedic roles are propelled by the subversion of his usual characters.
If we know anything about the contemporary film climate, it’s that subversion is king. Audiences love a breakdown of expected tropes, and it’s even more enjoyable when a well-known actor delivers a performance no one could see coming. I think Liam Neeson will be fantastic inThe Naked Gunreboot.
