The Naked Gun III
Mostly all new jokes
Rating: 7/10
Running Time: 83 minutes
UK Certificate: 15
On DVD
Its pleasing to see this, the third and final part of the at-times hilarious Naked Gun series, taking the trilogy out on a high note. These films cant be easy to make (theyre certainly not easy to review!), but David Zucker, the mastermind behind the lot of them, has somehow managed to turn some of the downright daftest material ever written into one of cinemas most fondly-remembered collection of movies. This last instalment is as silly as either of its predecessors and thats exactly the way it should be.
This time, Zucker continues to pull the strings behind the scenes as writer and producer (and brief cameo appearance maker), but the directorial reigns are handed to Peter Segal (who more recently helmed the surprisingly decent 50 First Dates). It marks a slight change in comedic approach, with spoofy send-ups of a dozen other movies creeping into the story, occasionally at the expense of the quick-fire gags we came to know and love from the first two flicks. But it also means theres a renewed freshness to the franchise, and star player Leslie Nielsen as always thrives under the circumstances.
Nielsen slips back into the shoes of Lieutenant Frank Drebin, whos now having more than a little difficulty settling into retired life. Hes having nightmares about the crims at large in his absence, is struggling to keep the missus (Pricilla Presley) happy, and, most worryingly of all, cant stop baking. So when old comrades Ed and Nordberg (George Kennedy and O.J. Simpson) drop by to seek his help in tracking down a terrorist (Fred Ward) whos planning on hitting the Academy Awards, he doesnt need to be asked twice.
Its all great fun, and in this writers opinion an improvement on the first slightly-disappointing sequel. Its got some gleeful prison scenes, a cameo-packed awards ceremony, all the old cast favourites back on board, and its all nicely dated by a Beavis and Butt-Head reference and a pre-bloated Anna Nicole Smith. Great stuff and if only the Oscars were REALLY as much fun as theyre shown to be here, itd almost be worth sitting up until four in the morning to watch them. Almost.
It's Got: Huey Lewis on the soundtrack nice work. And yes, kids it IS hip to be square. Dont forget it.
It Needs: To be chortled heartily at.
DVD Extras Disc 3 in The Complete Naked Gun Collection box-set has the same stuff as the other two a trailer,a nd a group commentary from David Zucker, Peter Segal, producer Robert Weiss and associate producer Michael Ewing. DVD Extras Rating: 3/10
Summary
Frank Drebin bows out in style and remember, this is not goodbye. Its just I wont ever see you again.