Starring Leslie Nielsen as the perpetually stone-faced, bemused detective Lt. Frank Drebin (which, on top of his similar character of Dr. Rumack in AIRPLANE!, has bought the previously dramatic-oriented Nielsen a second career as a top comedic actor) and co-starring George Kennedy as his partner, Captain Ed Hocken, Priscilla Presley in an equally-surprising comedic role as Drebin's love interest Jane Spencer, the now-ironic O.J. Simpson as the repeatedly-injured Det. Nordberg (gotta love that name on him), Ricardo Montalban as the villainous multi-millionaire Vincent Ludwig, Nancy Marchand as Mayor Barkley, Major League Baseball Hall-of-Famer Reggie Jackson as himself, and Jeannette Charles as Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, this movie throws everything at you plus the kitchen sink. Just as with AIPLANE!, it is impossible to get all the gags on the first viewing alone. I have seen it at least five times now, and it still gives me something new to laugh at every time. I guess that you could say that THE NAKED GUN is the gift that keeps on giving!
The humor is infectious from the beginning: After the opening sequence in which Frank breaks up a meeting of anti-American Arab nations (slapping around Yassir Arafat for good measure), he returns home to a crowd that is cheering loudly---for "Weird Al" Yankovic, who's in the next airplane. Soon, Frank gets word of a planned attempt on the life of Queen Elizabeth II---at the World Series, which she happens to joyfully attend. After many failed attempts at breaking up this plot, Frank finally makes it to the World Series where he saves the day by impersonating an Italian opera tenor brought in to sing the National Anthem. For those who may think I spoiled any surprise, guess what: the surprise isn't what happens at the major plot intersections; nope, it's what happens at every moment in between them.
THE NAKED GUN (what a title!) has humor that's even raunchier than that of AIRPLANE!, so I suggest you wait till your kids are at least 10 or 11 before showing it to them. But when you do, prepare to wear earmuffs to protect your ears from the screams of laughter that will ensue during the film! Let's face it, this movie is a must-own for any serious fan of comedy. Enough said, now just buy it and see it, whether it be for the first time or the fiftieth!
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Frank Drebin (Nielsen) is a bumbling cop who is assinged to look into a plot to kill Queen Elizabeth at the World Series after his fellow oficer and good friend Nordberg (O.J. Simpson - yes, that O.J. Simpson) is nearly killed. The prime suspect is a businessman named Vincent Ludwig (Ricardo Montalban). Drebin and his partner Ed Hocken (Georeg Kennedy) will stop at nothing to find out who's behind the crime. That is, if Frank can avoid the charms of the sexy Jane Spencer (Priscilla Presley).
This is a great film for anyone who loves to laugh. And get the two sequels as well and pray they comeout with a fourth one soon.