The "Police Squad"/"Naked Gun" franchise has been revived, with Liam Neeson taken on the role of Lt. Frank Drebin, Jr. - a nod to the legendary, late Leslie Nielsen's perfect portrayal of Lt. Frank Drebin. Pamela Anderson co-stars in this reboot produced by Seth MacFarlane. Check out the trailer and let me know your thoughts.
As a HUGE fan of Leslie Nielsen and Zucker, Abrahams and Zucker of movies like "Airplane," "The Naked Gun" series (particularly of the short-lived series "Police Squad" which inspired it), I would have less of a problem with this movie were it not branded as being part of "The Naked Gun"/"Police Squad" canon.
I understand the importance of branding, proven franchises and characters, built-in audiences, nostalgia, etc. And I like Liam Neeson well enough as an action star and he seems, in this trailer, to have some Leslie Nielsen-like overly straight man comedic chops, BUT... Leslie Nielsen is the ONLY Frank Drebin of any generation. He played the role to perfection.
Just make a totally different, silly police movie "in the style of" "Naked Gun.' That franchise and Mr. Nielsen represent sacred ground to longtime comedy fans.
To repeat my very common entreaty - STOP re-booting, recycling, rehashing, and revisiting, and come up with some original and NEW for once!
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