The Naked Gun (1988)

Directed by David Zucker. Starring Leslie Nielsen, Priscilla Presley, Ricardo Montalban, George Kennedy, O. J. Simpson, Nancy Marchand, Susan Beaubian, Raye Birk. [PG-13]

The quickly-canceled television program “Police Squad!”—a spoof of police procedurals—gets a new life with this feature film, following in the footsteps of other 80s Zucker-Abraham-Zucker laffers like Airplane! and Top Secret! Nielsen stars as Lt. Frank Drebin, a deadpan dimwit detective investigating the shooting of fellow officer Simpson, leading him to shady businessman Montalban and a plot to assassinate the Queen of England. One of the best “saturation comedies,” where the gags keep coming at such a relentless clip that batting average counts more than consistency; even the dumbest and clunkiest jokes can be appreciated on the “what the heck, they tried” level. Luckily, they hit far more often than they miss, and the actors play it all with such straight faces that their very stiffness becomes part of the fun. The final act set during a Major League Baseball game could have used a little trimming, but the moment that interest starts to wane, “Hey, it’s Enrico Palazzo!” Lots of cameos, and an eclectic bunch to boot: Dr. Joyce Brothers, Reggie Jackson, “Weird Al” Yankovic, John Houseman, plus plenty more. Full title: The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!

82/100