The Naked Gun premiere reactions are in, and audiences are laughing loudest at this surprise moment

The Naked Gun premiere had audiences roaring

At the New York premiere, viewers erupted in laughter and surprised applause during an unreleased gag that echoed the slapstick genius of the originals. Even long-time fans said they laughed harder than they had in years.

Critics noted the film delivers sustained comic energy, delivering “joke after joke” with punchy absurdity that revived theater laughter in a way few movies today attempt.

Liam Neeson nailed the deadpan legacy

In a surprising turn, Liam Neeson embraced the role of Frank Drebin Jr. with fully absurd timing, chewing scenery and embracing gags in ways that flattened expectations. His performance drew comparisons to Leslie Nielsen’s iconic deadpan.

Critics praised Neeson’s commitment to tone, playing it straight while delivering coy pratfalls and ridiculous setups. Many noted that it’s his most unguarded, un-Hollywood role in years.

Pamela Anderson steals scenes as femme fatale

Pamela Anderson’s turn as Beth Davenport drew both laughs and unexpected acclaim. Far from a cameo, she brought charisma and comedic finesse to every moment on screen.

Reviewers celebrated her role as a “quietly revolutionary” surprise, delivering dry humor and self-aware charm. Fans said Anderson elevated the film beyond nostalgia into joyfully fresh territory.

Critics called it “the funniest movie of the year”

Early critical reactions labeled the reboot a storytelling miracle. Rotten Tomatoes critics hailed it as the “funniest movie in years,” with more gags per minute than any spoof in decades.

Reviewers praised director Akiva Schaffer’s blend of modern satire and classic absurdism. For many, the film’s opening 20 minutes alone were worth the price of admission.

The biggest laugh came from a meta cameo

Midway through the film, a surprise cameo by a beloved real-life celebrity broke the fourth wall, and the audience with it. The moment was short but perfectly timed, catching viewers completely off guard.

Critics wouldn’t spoil the surprise, but nearly every review cited this meta joke as “the loudest laugh in the theater.” It proved that the film’s sense of play was alive and well.

Akiva Schaffer honored absurdity over polish

Director Akiva Schaffer, known for Popstar and Hot Rod, leaned hard into the Zucker-style mayhem. His direction let the actors riff within chaotic setups, capturing moments of spontaneous brilliance.

Reviewers praised Schaffer for resisting the urge to over-modernize the humor. Instead, he embraced physical gags, visual puns, and old-school goofiness with sincerity rather than irony.

The script lands 80s punchlines with Gen Z timing

Written by Dan Gregor and Doug Mand, the script walks a tightrope between nostalgia and novelty. Classic punchlines, think banana peels and mistaken identities, are delivered with fresh edits and snappy rhythm.

Younger viewers found themselves laughing at the same setups their parents once did, while longtime fans appreciated how the film never mocked its source material. It simply celebrated being ridiculous.

Supporting cast delivers comedic gold

In addition to Neeson and Anderson, the ensemble cast, including Paul Walter Hauser, Ken Marino, and Liza Koshy, added unexpected comic depth. Each actor found a rhythm that matched the film’s tone.

Paul Walter Hauser’s bumbling tech guy and Marino’s slippery informant earned standout reactions at the premiere. Their timing, physical comedy, and wild line deliveries helped round out the slapstick universe.

The action scenes added unexpected laughs

Critics noted that some of the film’s biggest laughs came from moments disguised as action. A car chase that ends in an absurdly slow crash drew roaring applause at the premiere.

The film played with action tropes in classic spoof fashion, parodying serious moments with clumsy choreography, prop chaos, and improbable stunts that doubled as sight gags.

Liam Neeson surprised even longtime fans

Known for gritty thrillers and dramatic roles, Liam Neeson stunned audiences by fully embracing slapstick. From falling over evidence markers to over-explaining obvious situations, he gave in to the ridiculous.

Critics said his performance worked because he never winked at the audience. Instead, he delivered nonsense with Oscar-level conviction, and that made it hilarious.

Pamela Anderson’s timing drew real praise

Many expected Anderson to play a flat caricature, but she defied expectations. Her delivery, dry, quick, and perfectly timed, earned genuine applause during her scenes.

Critics praised how she combined charm with sharp comedic control, allowing her character to land effective punchlines while holding her own alongside experienced comedy performers.

The theater erupted at the end credits

Instead of fading to black, the movie’s credits rolled over a new visual gag every few seconds, ranging from character callbacks to absurd news headlines tied to the plot.

It felt like the film never stopped joking, even as people stood to leave. Several viewers reportedly stayed until the very last frame, laughing through the outro.

Fans say it’s the reboot they didn’t know they needed

Initial skepticism about rebooting The Naked Gun vanished by the time credits rolled. Fans took to social media praising the film for capturing the franchise’s spirit without recycling old jokes.

Many called it “the rare reboot that works,” applauding the mix of slapstick and sharp timing. One viral post summed it up: “If you didn’t laugh, check your pulse.”

Still catching your breath from ‘The Naked Gun’? ‘Bring Her Back’ is the next thriller that’ll leave you speechless.

A franchise reborn with room to grow

Critics and audiences alike agreed, The Naked Gun is back in business. The film’s warm reception sparked rumors that a sequel may already be in early talks.

While no official announcement followed the premiere, the buzz suggested the team struck a rare balance between homage and originality. If this is the start of a new Drebin era, it’s off to a hilarious beginning.

Craving more bold reboots? Ron Howard’s Eden drops a gripping new trailer with a powerhouse cast.

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This slideshow was made with AI assistance and with human editing.