The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear (1991)

Directed by David Zucker. Starring Leslie Nielsen, Priscilla Presley, Robert Goulet, George Kennedy, Richard Griffiths, O. J. Simpson, Jacqueline Brookes, Anthony James, Tim O’Connor, Lloyd Bochner, Peter Mark Richman. [PG-13]

Second (and a half) cinematic outing for Frank Drebin (Nielsen) and Police Squad doesn’t tinker with the formula, provides the same grab-bag of slaptick, sight gags, satire, etc. This time, Drebin probes a bombing at a research institute, suspects oil exec Goulet of being involved; Goulet also happens to be dating Drebin’s old flame (Presley), which leads to the expected jealousy, rekindled romance, duets of “The Way We Were” with hitmen, etc. Hit-to-miss ratio is a bit lower this time out, but it’s still very funny on average, with enough hilarious set pieces to make up for the lulls (the nightclub rendezvous especially). Cameos include Zsa Zsa Gabor, the Velvet Fog, and (again) “Weird Al” Yankovic. As in every movie in the series, stick around to read the credits for a few more giggles.

75/100