Common Sense Media Review
Bawdy, absurd classic spoofs police procedurals.
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The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 13 parent reviews
Based on 26 kid reviews
Kids say the movie is a hilarious slapstick comedy filled with over-the-top humor and sexual innuendos that may not be appropriate for younger audiences; however, many find it entertaining and funny, especially the absurd scenarios and performances by the cast. While it features suggestive jokes and some crude language, it remains a classic that appeals to teens and adults alike for its unique blend of comedy and action.
- slapstick humor
- sexual innuendos
- classic comedy
- audience appeal
- inappropriate for kids
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Chock-full of campy humor, THE NAKED GUN follows Police Lt. Frank Drebin (Leslie Nielsen) as he investigates an assassination plot against the queen of England, who will soon be visiting Los Angeles. His search takes him to the offices of business bigwig Vincent Ludwig (Ricardo Montalban); into the arms of Ludwig's assistant, Jane Spencer (Priscilla Presley); and into harm's way.
Is It Any Good?
This is the kind of parody film that expertly delivers its many gags—whether they be toilet humor, pratfalls, or sexual innuendo. The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! is rife with all of the above. In fact, it's a nonstop series of jokes that are likely to entertain audiences of all ages.
The film itself is a curious time capsule of 1980s humor, from the sex-related jokes to the speed at which they fly at you. One of the film's great strengths is that, if you don't like one joke, just wait a few seconds; another one is coming. And yet, what makes these jokes land is the complete deadpan sincerity by which the actors, especially Nielsen, deliver them. Not only that, The Naked Gun plays with pop culture topics of the time: O.J. Simpson, then still a beloved football star, plays on his celebrity to play the bumbling cop Nordberg, who's constantly getting hurt. The opening scene, with its meeting of "rogue nations," toys with the Cold War tensions Americans were feeling at the time. The fact that these jokes are so dated merely makes them age better, centering The Naked Gun in a specific time and place that makes it easier to laugh at such politically charged humor.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why the type of absurd humor used in The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! appeals to viewers. Why do they enjoy it?
How does the film spoof topical events of the 1980s? Are its insights still relevant today? Are the jokes still funny?
Discuss how the film portrays police work, making jokes out of how quickly they are to shoot at something or otherwise put people in danger. What do the jokes highlight about the bumbling cop characters, and how does it reflect how we think of police in today's world?
Movie Details
- In theaters : November 1, 1988
- On DVD or streaming : August 15, 2000
- Cast : Leslie Nielsen , Priscilla Presley , Ricardo Montalban
- Director : David Zucker
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Latino Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Paramount Pictures
- Genre : Comedy
- Run time : 84 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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