The Bare Gun Finish Credit Pays Homage To One Of The Unique Present’s Most Well-known Jokes

This text comprises spoilers for “The Bare Gun.”

It nearly appeared like a grave mistake to revive a protracted dormant franchise whose comedic identification revolves across the impossible-to-recreate display presence of Leslie Nielsen, however relaxation assured, it is a wonderful new day for “The Bare Gun” sequence. Within the Akiva Schaffer-directed reboot of the identical title, Liam Neeson embraces his sillier facet as Frank Drebin Jr., the equally damaging offspring of Nielsen’s character. After spending the latter half of his movie profession enjoying older powerful guys, Neeson will get to channel that vitality into an extremely humorous efficiency that honors his cinematic daddy with out outright copying him. His comedic turns in “The LEGO Film,” “A Million Methods to Die within the West” and a scene-stealing cameo in “Ted 2” have been all warm-ups for a movie that would simply information Neeson into the following section of his profession. However he isn’t alone in making this legacy sequel really feel like a breath of contemporary air.

Neeson is surrounded by a sport ensemble that work off of him in spectacular vogue, whether or not or not it’s Pamela Anderson as femme fatale writer Beth Davenport, Paul Walter Hauser because the becoming spawn of George Kennedy’s Ed Hocken, or a vigorous Danny Huston because the evil tech genius Richard Cane. His best asset, nevertheless, is Schaffer, who blends his surrealistic comedic sensibilities from “Scorching Rod” and “Popstar: By no means Cease By no means Stopping” with the pure slapstick mayhem of the unique “Bare Gun” films. His 2025 legacy sequel does not search to reinvent the wheel and as an alternative reveals that it is doable to make crowd-pleasing comedies precisely like they used to. It is clear that this was made by individuals who revere what David Zucker, Jim Abrahams and Jerry Zucker (in any other case often called ZAZ) delivered to the comedy style.

Schaffer’s “Bare Gun” is not only a nice continuation of the unique trilogy however a loving ode to the short-lived tv sequence that began all of it with “Police Squad.” Should you’ve solely ever seen the “Bare Gun” films, then I extremely implore you to take a look at the deeply humorous half hour comedy sequence you possibly can end in much less time that it could take you to complete “The Batman.” 1982’s “Police Squad” was a parody of police procedurals like “M Squad” and “Adam-12” that was forward of its time, enjoying its jokes utterly straight with out the usage of fun observe. It relied on good sight gags reminiscent of “Act II: Bruté” when the present got here again from its industrial break. Solely six half-hour episodes of the groundbreaking sequence earlier than it was unceremoniously cancelled by ABC executives as a result of the jokes required viewers to truly take note of what they’re watching.

The unique “Bare Gun” trilogy ported over a few of the sequence’ finest jokes, however its comedic tone mirrored all method of cop films and different popular culture hits. Schaffer’s movie falls extra according to what the films lampooned, nevertheless it ends with a really humorous homage to its tv predecessor that made me guffaw.

Within the aftermath of shutting down Edentech’s rage-inducing sign, CCH Pounder’s Chief Davis holds a press convention the place she not solely reinstates Police Squad’s legitimacy, however ensures that Drebin Jr. is being totally investigated for his violent actions exterior the attention of the legislation. The movie then arduous cuts to a tropical-themed luxurious resort sponsored by the parents at Inside Affairs, the place Drebin Jr. and Beth live it up in model. Because the completely happy couple cheers to their romantic kinship, every thing turns into frozen in place whereas the credit play over them. It seems as in the event that they’re fastened in place together with everybody else, however you rapidly begin to see them battle to carry their positions. It is not in contrast to the uncomfortable finish credit of “Pearl,” the place Mia Goth has a noticeably troublesome time holding her pain-laden smile.

The distinction right here is that Drebin Jr. and Beth begin to understand that no person else round them is shifting and break away from their spots. The credit carry on going whereas they stroll across the I.A. resort in concern of what is occurring. Beth pushes her hand via a mid-stream water fountain, whereas Drebin Jr. almost pokes via the display. At one level, Beth even whispers her terror of the place the non-diegetic music may even be coming from. It is not only a good use of the “Police Squad” theme however an up to date model of the gag that ended each episode of the sequence.

“Police Squad” would at all times finish with an epilogue the place Nielsen and Hocken (right here performed by Alan North) would make a joke, then overlay the tip credit on prime of their frozen state. A number of the funniest examples are a prison breaking free, Hocken pouring sizzling espresso onto Drebin’s hand, and the set actually falling aside round them. It laid the inspiration for the “Bare Gun” custom of constructing you wish to sit via the tip credit as a result of the jokes saved on coming.

After Schaffer’s “Bare Gun” leaves the apprehensive couple, there’s nonetheless an entire bunch of different goodies, together with an encore of the police siren gag from the primary film, an entire bunch of jokes within the textual content of the scrolling credit, a tune from Drebin Jr., and a post-credits stinger with sequence alum Bizarre Al Yankovic. But it surely’s the fake freeze body reprise that gave me the largest chuckle.

“The Bare Gun” is now enjoying in theaters nationwide.