Laughter is elicited in the revival of 'The Naked Gun', yet disappoints in 'Freakier Friday'
In the realm of comedy, two new films are making waves this year. "The Naked Gun", a reboot of the classic "Police Squad!" spoofs from the late '80s and '90s, and "Freakier Friday", a sequel to the 2003 remake of the 1976 comedy of the same title, are bringing laughter back to the big screen.
"The Naked Gun", directed and co-written by Akiva Schaffer, stars Liam Neeson as Lt. Frank Drebin Jr., the son of the original character played by Leslie Nielsen. The film recaptures more of its predecessors' spirit - the rapid-fire gags, the goofy slapstick, the non-sequitur silliness. Pamela Anderson fills the role of Drebin's love interest, playing a character named Beth Davenport.
Critics are hailing the new "Naked Gun" as a worthy successor that embraces and celebrates the original "Police Squad!" spoof spirit with fresh but faithful humor and performance. Liam Neeson's casting, surprising at first, is praised for adding deadpan gravitas that suits the role perfectly, helping to revive the daffy humor that made the originals beloved.
The film was considered a rare 2025 comedy that encourages group theatrical viewing and shared laughter, a quality increasingly scarce in the genre today. Critics highlight that the new "Naked Gun" maintains the "idiotic, asinine, and downright preposterous" qualities that defined the original, resulting in a fun, laughter-filled experience reminiscent of the classic films.
On the other hand, "Freakier Friday" is a sequel to the 2003 "Freaky Friday", itself a remake of the 1976 comedy of the same title. The movie features a lot of screaming chaos due to multiple out-of-body experiences. Lindsay Lohan's return to "Freaky Friday" is poignant, as it was one of the films that made her a young star.
In "Freakier Friday", Lindsay Lohan plays Anna, a music manager and a single mother, while Julia Butters plays Harper, a strong-willed teenage daughter. Sophia Hammons plays Lily, a teenage daughter of a dashing Brit character, and Jamie Lee Curtis' character Tess is now a part-time podcaster. Lindsay Lohan's performance in "Freakier Friday" showcases her sharp-witted presence and comic timing.
Jamie Lee Curtis' performance in "Freakier Friday" seems stuck in an over-the-top mode reminiscent of "Everything Everywhere All at Once". Critics note that while the performances are entertaining, they sometimes overshadow the narrative, making the film a bit chaotic at times.
Despite the studios largely relegating laughter to TV and streaming in the post-pandemic era, both "The Naked Gun" and "Freakier Friday" are proving that there's still a place for big-screen comedy. Whether you're a fan of the original "Naked Gun" or a fan of Lindsay Lohan's early work, these two films offer a dose of laughter that's hard to resist.
"The Naked Gun" and "'Freakier Friday', both falling under the umbrella of movies-and-tv entertainment, have made a significant impact this year, especially in the comedy genre."
"Catching the eye of critics and fans alike, 'The Naked Gun' and 'Freakier Friday' are respective examples of how entertainment can still thrive on the big screen, challenging the post-pandemic streaming trends."
