r/moviecritic • u/[deleted] • 20h ago
What in the holiest of hell are they doing?
[deleted]
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u/Mammoth-Record-7786 20h ago
Liam Neeson has solid comedy chops. I think it has potential.
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u/_WillCAD_ 19h ago
Leslie Neilson was a totally DRAMATIC actor when he was cast in Airplane!, after which everyone realized his comedic chops.
Michael Keaton was primarily a comedic actor when cast as Batman, after which everyone realized he had RANGE. A couple of really good dramatic performances over the next couple of years helped, too.
Frikkin' Robert De Niro was almost exclusively a dramatic or action actor until he was cast in Analyze This! After that, he did a string of successful pure comedies and is regarded as funny as hell - along with also being one of the better dramatic actors of the last forty years.
Something is only something until it's something else, then it's something else.
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u/paparoach910 17h ago
Leslie as dramatic and dry is what made it kick ass. Liam has a similar dryness to his humor. I think it might be good, as long as they can keep it somewhat Police Squad-eseque.
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u/TucsonTacos 19h ago
I thought that Naked Gun was being made into a movie called “Better Man” about a monkey who was holding a gun.
I thought he was aiming a gun at the screen at first
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u/AnalogKid29 19h ago
I’ve heard some of the test screenings were positive. I am treading VERY lightly with this one as the original is my favorite comedy of all time. Seth McFarland is involved, and I must say I was in tears watching Liam Neeson buy the box of Trix in Ted 2. It has a huge chance of being a pile of crap, but there is always that glimmer of hope it’ll be great. I miss movies actually being funny.
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u/oliverpls599 18h ago
Timothee Chalamet plays the protagonist, Zendaya the Femme Fatale, JK Simmons the Villain. Instant box office hit.
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u/MarcoVinicius 17h ago
Hollywood is trying to take any and every IP and turn it into a franchise. That means doing every remake possible and going further if possible.
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u/amckechn 14h ago
Sorry, do we not trust Akiva Schaffer now?
Was Popstar not good enough for you?
And Paul Walter Hauser is second billed. Come on now.
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u/RogueAOV 18h ago
Never understand the 'never get made today' argument.
The only 'could never get made today' things are things like Birth of a Nation.
Every single comedy that are accused of it usually falls into two categories. 1, it should have been considered problemtic at the time, like Porkys but it was of its time and it in no way is trying to be anything other than inappropriate so it would likely pass anyway.
Or 2, people do not understand why somethings are cancelled and somethings are not.
Humor is subjective and intention is key. Tropic Thunder is not 'black face' despite the fact it literally has a White guy made up to be a Black guy.
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u/Savitar2606 13h ago
The other film I hear is Blazing Saddles. Would I want it made with the same jokes as written in 1974? Hell no! One, the references being made then would definitely fly over a lot of heads because you had to be from a certain generation to get it.
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u/Germanicus15BC 17h ago
He'll be the love child of Frank and Ed.....they really did have sex after going to the Red Light district looking for Hector Savage.
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u/Inspi 19h ago
95% of the jokes in the first 2 movies would get an actor "canceled" nowadays (I refuse to acknowledge the 3rd exists). What the hell are they going to do in a remake?
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u/abdullahdabutcha 19h ago
Any examples?
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u/Potential-Narwhal- 19h ago
"Why don't you want to have a child?"
"Didn't I try to adopt that 18 year old Korean girl"
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u/Inspi 16h ago
By the power of ChatGPT, I didn't have do to any thinking of my own:
Racial and Ethnic Stereotyping
The "Arab" Diplomat (Naked Gun 2½): In Naked Gun 2½, there is a joke about an "Arab diplomat" that leans into racial stereotypes. The character is portrayed in a manner that exaggerates certain cultural traits, which can be considered offensive or reductive by contemporary standards.
Gender and Sexuality
Sexual Harassment and Innuendo: Frank Drebin, played by Leslie Nielsen, frequently makes inappropriate sexual comments or jokes toward women, which would be considered sexual harassment today. In Naked Gun 2½, for instance, Drebin makes suggestive remarks to women, some of which are clearly meant to be humorous but could be seen as disrespectful or demeaning. Example: Drebin’s interaction with a female colleague in the first film involves awkward sexual advances and innuendo, making light of inappropriate workplace behavior. Objectifying Women: There are several moments in both films where women are reduced to sexual objects. For example, there are running gags about women being attractive or desirable in a superficial manner, which reinforces objectification. Example: In The Naked Gun, there’s a scene where Drebin comments on a woman’s physical appearance in a way that focuses solely on her looks, rather than her character.
Homophobic Jokes
The "Gay" Confusion (Naked Gun 2½): A running joke in Naked Gun 2½ involves Frank Drebin being mistaken for gay, and the resulting awkwardness is played for laughs. This kind of humor relies on outdated stereotypes of LGBTQ+ people as a punchline, which is considered offensive by today’s standards. Example: In a scene where Drebin is forced to pretend to be gay in order to avoid suspicion, the humor comes from the discomfort around his portrayal, which could be seen as mocking LGBTQ+ people.
Misogynistic Humor
Drebin’s Objectification of Women: Throughout both The Naked Gun and Naked Gun 2½, Frank Drebin makes a variety of comments that reduce women to their physical attributes or sexual desirability. This kind of humor can be seen as reinforcing harmful gender stereotypes. Example: In The Naked Gun, Drebin is shown leering at women in a way that highlights their sexualized role in the narrative, even when these characters are meant to be more than just background.
Disability-Related Humor
Using Disabilities for Comedy: Physical disabilities are used as part of the humor in both films, often in exaggerated or demeaning ways. Example: In The Naked Gun, there’s a recurring bit with characters in physical casts or wheelchairs. The slapstick approach to disabilities can be seen as offensive, as it makes light of real-life issues faced by people with disabilities.
Insensitive Treatment of Tragedy
Making Light of Violence and Injury: Both films are filled with over-the-top violence used for comedic effect, often with characters suffering major injuries but quickly bouncing back with no real consequences. While this is a hallmark of slapstick humor, it could be seen as insensitive or trivializing violence, especially in the context of real-life accidents or harm. Example: In The Naked Gun, Frank Drebin is frequently involved in violent altercations, where the humor comes from the absurdity of the situation rather than the real consequences of such actions. Making Fun of Public Figures: In Naked Gun 2½, there’s a scene where a public figure (a political leader) is involved in a violent, yet absurd, plot. This can be seen as an insensitive portrayal of real-world politics and figures.
Substance Abuse and Addictions
Drinking as a Joke: There are several instances in the films where alcohol consumption is used for comedic purposes, with characters often drinking excessively in ridiculous situations. While it is meant to be humorous, it could be seen as making light of addiction or unhealthy drinking behaviors. Example: In Naked Gun 2½, Drebin’s interactions with a police officer who is depicted as constantly drunk could be seen as making fun of substance abuse.
Violence for Laughs
Exaggerated Slapstick Violence: Both films heavily rely on exaggerated violence as part of the humor, where characters are harmed in ridiculous, over-the-top ways that have no lasting effects. While slapstick is a comedic staple, this kind of humor could be seen as insensitive, particularly when it involves harm or injury. Example: In the first film, Frank Drebin is involved in a series of violent encounters, like accidentally shooting someone or causing chaotic situations. While intended for laughs, these incidents downplay the severity of violence.
Mocking Public Safety
Frank Drebin’s Careless Police Work: Frank Drebin, as a police officer, engages in a variety of reckless and incompetent actions that endanger public safety, yet these are played for laughs. This could be seen as making light of the importance of law enforcement and public trust in safety procedures. Example: In The Naked Gun, Drebin inadvertently causes chaos during an investigation, endangering innocent bystanders in the process. The absurdity of these situations may be viewed as undermining the gravity of law enforcement work.
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u/Potential-Narwhal- 20h ago
After further inspection, Liam Neeson will be playing Frank Jr, so I guess it's another movie but still