Liam Neeson candidly discusses his role in 'The Naked Gun'
In cinemas now, Liam Neeson takes on the iconic role of Frank Drebin Jr. in a reboot of the classic comedy series, The Naked Gun. The film, directed by Akiva Schaffer, features a new writer on set, and Neeson's performance pays homage to the original series while carving out its own identity.
Neeson, known for his dramatic roles, initially expressed reservations about revisiting the original series. However, he found a unique approach to the character, adopting a style inspired by Leslie Nielsen's comedic approach. Neeson's Frank Drebin Jr. blends deadpan seriousness with silly, absurdist humor, honouring Nielsen's legacy while establishing his own character.
The film self-consciously acknowledges Neeson's attempt to live up to Nielsen’s legacy without simply copying it. Moments in the film feature Neeson's character referring to living up to his father’s legendary detective role, including a humorous bit where Neeson's Frank Drebin Jr. looks at a photo of Nielsen's Frank Drebin and asks for a sign that he’s following the right path.
Critics have praised Neeson's portrayal for keeping the spirit of Nielsen's boneheaded cop Frank Drebin intact, with the same fearless foolishness and slapstick comedy. The film maintains the tone of the original franchise’s absurdist humor rather than changing to a new style, making Neeson's performance very much in the spirit of Nielsen's iconic delivery without being a direct imitation.
On set, Neeson maintained his high acting standards, and the writers provided alternate endings to scenes to keep the production fresh. Neeson also had nothing but praise for his co-star Pamela Anderson, describing her as having no airs and graces and no big ego.
Neeson, with over 100 movies to his credit, has shown versatility in his acting career. In The Naked Gun, he brings a new energy to the classic role, making it his own while paying tribute to the original. The reboot is a must-watch for fans of the original series and a great introduction for new audiences to the world of The Naked Gun.
The reboot of The Naked Gun combines Neeson's dramatic prowess with absurd humor, drawing inspiration from Leslie Nielsen's original portrayal of Frank Drebin. The film, featuring in the 'movies-and-tv' and 'entertainment' categories, is sure to appeal to fans of the series and attract new viewers, showcasing Neeson's versatility in the business of movies.
