Police Squad (the TV series) was full of loads of gags which anecdotally the original audience missed. It was subsequently cancelled. So perhaps that was another reason the film's humour is less subtle?
Top Secret also bombed in 1985 and that was more in the vein of Airplane and Police Squad too, so the Zucker's defintiely upped the slapstick and the mugging for the Naked Gun movies because they were in desperate need of a hit. They needed it to be broader than Police Squad and Top Secret. It's been a while since I heard it but I think the Zucker's even say as much on the Naked Gun DVD commentary track.
More Police Squad jokes (again, better than the movies): Man: "Who are you? And how did you get in here?" Drebin: "I'm a locksmith. And, I'm a locksmith."
I was never a fan of the Naked Gun films. I actually saw for the first time Police Squad a couple years back and, while it hasn't aged perfectly, I think it is absolutely hilarious. It's a perfect mix of deadpan and physical comedy, unlike the later films.
The Naked Gun movies were often on in the background in our house, since they'd show edited for TV version on cable on weekend afternoons. Kind of like the Hot Shots movies. I know I've seen them all (or at least most of each film), but I could not tell you which was which or anything about the story. I remember the faces Leslie Nielsen pulled, and I remember we'd cheer at the "pratfalls" OJ had, especially once I got into high school, but I don't remember much else. They were literally background noise. The only Leslie Nielsen movie I remember with any detail is Dracula: Dead and Loving It. So, yeah, they were just kind of there?
Was never a big fan of the first Naked Gun, or the third, but for some reason the second Naked Gun made me laugh til I cried the first time I saw it. I haven't seen it in years, and I don't know if I'll still find it funny, but out of the trilogy it was the only one I really liked. I'm much more of an Airplane fan. I even liked the sequel.
This came at an opportune time. I’ve been on a parody movie kick these last few weeks and this is one I decided to watch again after years. Honestly didn’t find it as funny as everyone else does. There are sections where I find it hilarious which were mostly the sections that were doing the Airplane! humour with cartoonish goings on and clever wordplay, but then it’s go back into doing the Pink Panther style humour of Frank bumbling his way through solving the case which just wasn’t my thing. Top Secret! Is honestly the better Airplane! follow-up, retains the humour far better and is just honest to god hilarious, takes the Airplane humour and expands on it just by simply not confining it to mostly one location.
I was a freshman in college when this came out. Haven't seen it since I recall laughing at some of it, but honestly all 3 movies are kind vaguely swirling in my memory, so other than the scenes you described, I am not sure which are which. From somewhere in the series, there is a scene, which may be in 33 1/3, where Frank is getting an award and goes to the bathroom micced up. That I'd still funny to me because of the number of times I have heard it happen on conference calls where someone was not on mute. Made time to swung by, even though I want to watch the conviction fallout, because a) nice change of pace and b) worried the timing might negatively impact views.
I agree with your assessment of the movie. I didn't like that they turned Drebbin into a Clouseau type character. That said, I love Police Squad because the humor is very much in the Airplane mode.
I’ve only seen the first two. Haven’t seen the third one yet, but I’m aware that a very explicit transphobic joke is involved from some clips I’ve seen. 😑 I’ll have to rewatch/watch all these movies to see how they hold up imo. I remember enjoying the first one mostly, but that’s just me and my nostalgia goggles. 😅
I've always had a thing for accents. Ricardo Montalbán definitely had one you took notice of. I must admit, I haven't seen these since I was a kid in the 90's. They were funny, as far as I recall. I was a little confused at news of the planned Naked Gun revival, starring Liam Neeson.
I like the jokes in ZAZ credits, but another thing I like is crediting cast members who only had one or two lines USING those lines. It’s easier to know who “Hey! It’s Enrico Pallazzo!” is than it is to work out who Spectator 3 is.
I've seen the NG movies when I was way younger, though I remember them fondly. I do remember the drawn out humor bits though think I enjoyed it more than in Family Guy. Yet it's like more than 20 years ago, maybe I'd change my mind if I'd rewatch them.
The only experience I have of this franchise is my parents making it about 5-10 minutes through Naked Gun 2 1/2 before changing the channel in the early 00s.
Maybe the reason you didn't like this one as much as Airplane is because Pat Proft joined the writing team on this film. He was also a writer on the first Police Academy movie.
12 sound about right for these kinds of films. I remembering enjoying Hot Shots around that age. I do think Airplane is the best of these films and why it is the one still most remembered and talked about.
It’s a problem of as these movies went on they just kept aiming for the lowest common denominator. I don’t know if those jokes were just easier or something, but that’s essentially what happened
Police Squad was better than the Naked Gun movies. In fact, I would say it's better than the Airplane movies, but that's partly because of the format. 22 minute episodes means the fast pace doesn't get old and it doesn't allow for the drawn out type of joke that you don't like. Also the opening and closing credits are the best parts of the show but for different reasons than they are the best parts of the movie. Also the best thing about the Weird Al cameos is that Al says he would take first dates to see the Naked Gun movies, and wear the shirt he wore when making the movie.
I loved Police Squad when I was a kid, but I never got around to seeing the movies. Now, I think I'm going to deliberately give them a pass and just let my pleasant memories of the show be enough.
It is a problem that Airplane! is a hard bar to clear and few have managed. I still like this movie (but haven't revisited in awhile, so not sure what a rewatch would do), but it is uneven and pretty broad. I do prefer Police Squad, if only for the opening credit gag of killing the guest star. Shatner's appearance and death are a high point.
Never saw the Naked Gun movies, or Police Squad for that matter. I have seen Airplane at least a dozen times or so, as well as Hot shots part Deux, and, unfortunately, most of the Scary Movie uh... movies. Naked Gun sounds like an in between of those in terms of quality and humor. I might check it out.
While I haven't watched the movie in a few years (not terribly long, but a bit), I have to disagree. I didn't think it was as lazy as suggested, although there certainly were a number of easy bunts in there. Then again, I also disagree that the "Oveur/Victor/Roger" bit from Airplane! was terribly imaginative, always felt like a low shot, middling wordplay that was worth maybe a chuckle but not much more.
I quite like Naked Gun although I think the series is better and if you watch that you'll see that they lifted quite a bit from that and simply pasted into this movie. For me its more something I'm amused by then actually laughing out load. There are some really good gags but a lot of time inbetween. It's the kind of movie where I'm happy to have it on in the background while also browsing the internet than the type where'd I'd sit down with a meal and drink to actively watch.
The show is funnier than the movie. But what worked for the show just couldn't have worked in a longer time span of a movie. The first movie is the best of the lot.
My favourite throwaway gag was where the cops and scientist walk through the door and Frank just walks around the set.
Police Squad (the TV series) was full of loads of gags which anecdotally the original audience missed. It was subsequently cancelled. So perhaps that was another reason the film's humour is less subtle?
You hit it right on the head
Only show, to my knowledge, to do a regular "freeze-frame-gag"
Top Secret also bombed in 1985 and that was more in the vein of Airplane and Police Squad too, so the Zucker's defintiely upped the slapstick and the mugging for the Naked Gun movies because they were in desperate need of a hit. They needed it to be broader than Police Squad and Top Secret. It's been a while since I heard it but I think the Zucker's even say as much on the Naked Gun DVD commentary track.
More Police Squad jokes (again, better than the movies):
Man: "Who are you? And how did you get in here?"
Drebin: "I'm a locksmith. And, I'm a locksmith."
Love all three of these.
I was never a fan of the Naked Gun films. I actually saw for the first time Police Squad a couple years back and, while it hasn't aged perfectly, I think it is absolutely hilarious. It's a perfect mix of deadpan and physical comedy, unlike the later films.
100%. The t.v. show was a wonderful meal, and the flicks were take out
I’m sad that you didn’t like this. This is such a fave of mine & it’s the best one
Honestly I only watched it for the Weird Al cameo. I don't even remember anything else from it.
The Naked Gun movies were often on in the background in our house, since they'd show edited for TV version on cable on weekend afternoons. Kind of like the Hot Shots movies. I know I've seen them all (or at least most of each film), but I could not tell you which was which or anything about the story. I remember the faces Leslie Nielsen pulled, and I remember we'd cheer at the "pratfalls" OJ had, especially once I got into high school, but I don't remember much else. They were literally background noise. The only Leslie Nielsen movie I remember with any detail is Dracula: Dead and Loving It. So, yeah, they were just kind of there?
The love interest was played by Priscilla Presley, Elvis' ex wife.
Was never a big fan of the first Naked Gun, or the third, but for some reason the second Naked Gun made me laugh til I cried the first time I saw it. I haven't seen it in years, and I don't know if I'll still find it funny, but out of the trilogy it was the only one I really liked. I'm much more of an Airplane fan. I even liked the sequel.
The six-episode run of Police Squad is better than the entire Naked Gun series put together. Highly, highly recommended. The movies, eh, not so much.
So very true
This came at an opportune time. I’ve been on a parody movie kick these last few weeks and this is one I decided to watch again after years. Honestly didn’t find it as funny as everyone else does. There are sections where I find it hilarious which were mostly the sections that were doing the Airplane! humour with cartoonish goings on and clever wordplay, but then it’s go back into doing the Pink Panther style humour of Frank bumbling his way through solving the case which just wasn’t my thing.
Top Secret! Is honestly the better Airplane! follow-up, retains the humour far better and is just honest to god hilarious, takes the Airplane humour and expands on it just by simply not confining it to mostly one location.
Always loved these films as a kid. Haven’t watched them since though.
Have you seen the Police Squad TV show? I think you would like that better
The show has aged better than the movie despite being older.
I was a freshman in college when this came out. Haven't seen it since I recall laughing at some of it, but honestly all 3 movies are kind vaguely swirling in my memory, so other than the scenes you described, I am not sure which are which. From somewhere in the series, there is a scene, which may be in 33 1/3, where Frank is getting an award and goes to the bathroom micced up. That I'd still funny to me because of the number of times I have heard it happen on conference calls where someone was not on mute.
Made time to swung by, even though I want to watch the conviction fallout, because a) nice change of pace and b) worried the timing might negatively impact views.
I agree with your assessment of the movie. I didn't like that they turned Drebbin into a Clouseau type character. That said, I love Police Squad because the humor is very much in the Airplane mode.
I’ve only seen the first two. Haven’t seen the third one yet, but I’m aware that a very explicit transphobic joke is involved from some clips I’ve seen. 😑 I’ll have to rewatch/watch all these movies to see how they hold up imo. I remember enjoying the first one mostly, but that’s just me and my nostalgia goggles. 😅
i dont think i ever saw a movie starring this guy i didnt like. even the ones people disliked, i loved them. he was always hilarious.
I've always had a thing for accents. Ricardo Montalbán definitely had one you took notice of. I must admit, I haven't seen these since I was a kid in the 90's. They were funny, as far as I recall. I was a little confused at news of the planned Naked Gun revival, starring Liam Neeson.
I like the jokes in ZAZ credits, but another thing I like is crediting cast members who only had one or two lines USING those lines. It’s easier to know who “Hey! It’s Enrico Pallazzo!” is than it is to work out who Spectator 3 is.
I've seen the NG movies when I was way younger, though I remember them fondly.
I do remember the drawn out humor bits though think I enjoyed it more than in Family Guy.
Yet it's like more than 20 years ago, maybe I'd change my mind if I'd rewatch them.
I do love these type of comedies though
I remember my dad renting this from the video store in 1989 (I was 17), and being so disappointed
The only experience I have of this franchise is my parents making it about 5-10 minutes through Naked Gun 2 1/2 before changing the channel in the early 00s.
Maybe the reason you didn't like this one as much as Airplane is because Pat Proft joined the writing team on this film. He was also a writer on the first Police Academy movie.
Good review
12 sound about right for these kinds of films. I remembering enjoying Hot Shots around that age. I do think Airplane is the best of these films and why it is the one still most remembered and talked about.
It’s a problem of as these movies went on they just kept aiming for the lowest common denominator. I don’t know if those jokes were just easier or something, but that’s essentially what happened
Police Squad was better than the Naked Gun movies. In fact, I would say it's better than the Airplane movies, but that's partly because of the format. 22 minute episodes means the fast pace doesn't get old and it doesn't allow for the drawn out type of joke that you don't like. Also the opening and closing credits are the best parts of the show but for different reasons than they are the best parts of the movie. Also the best thing about the Weird Al cameos is that Al says he would take first dates to see the Naked Gun movies, and wear the shirt he wore when making the movie.
WOO! ENRICO PALLAZZO!
I loved Police Squad when I was a kid, but I never got around to seeing the movies. Now, I think I'm going to deliberately give them a pass and just let my pleasant memories of the show be enough.
Engagement for the engagement god!
It is a problem that Airplane! is a hard bar to clear and few have managed. I still like this movie (but haven't revisited in awhile, so not sure what a rewatch would do), but it is uneven and pretty broad. I do prefer Police Squad, if only for the opening credit gag of killing the guest star. Shatner's appearance and death are a high point.
Never saw the Naked Gun movies, or Police Squad for that matter. I have seen Airplane at least a dozen times or so, as well as Hot shots part Deux, and, unfortunately, most of the Scary Movie uh... movies. Naked Gun sounds like an in between of those in terms of quality and humor. I might check it out.
I seem to remember liking 2 1/2 better.
C'mon,Nathaniel,you weren't expecting subtleties or sophisticated humour in this were you?!?🙄🎩
Not such a drastic step down from Airplane! is what I was expecting.
While I haven't watched the movie in a few years (not terribly long, but a bit), I have to disagree. I didn't think it was as lazy as suggested, although there certainly were a number of easy bunts in there. Then again, I also disagree that the "Oveur/Victor/Roger" bit from Airplane! was terribly imaginative, always felt like a low shot, middling wordplay that was worth maybe a chuckle but not much more.
I quite like Naked Gun although I think the series is better and if you watch that you'll see that they lifted quite a bit from that and simply pasted into this movie. For me its more something I'm amused by then actually laughing out load. There are some really good gags but a lot of time inbetween.
It's the kind of movie where I'm happy to have it on in the background while also browsing the internet than the type where'd I'd sit down with a meal and drink to actively watch.
... to me, these were always pale imitations of the Pink Panther/Inspector Clouseau Series
Isn't Airplane! PG, tho? Albeit that was a pre-PG-13 world.
It would have been R, had it been rated by the standards of when Naked Gun came out.
@@BreakRoomofGeeks Ah, fair enough.
The show is funnier than the movie. But what worked for the show just couldn't have worked in a longer time span of a movie. The first movie is the best of the lot.