The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear
Plot
In "The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear", Lieutenant Frank Drebin (Leslie Nielsen) is back on the job, this time taking on a sinister plot by the energy moguls to sabotage the development of a revolutionary new technology that threatens their dominance. As usual, Drebin's ineptitude and naivety lead him down a path of chaos and destruction, causing more harm than good in his pursuit of justice. Drebin's mission begins when he is tasked with investigating the murder of a prominent scientist who was working on the revolutionary technology. The energy companies are desperate to get their hands on the tech and will stop at nothing to suppress it. As Drebin delves deeper into the case, he finds himself up against a formidable foe: the cunning and ruthless Rocco (Pat Proft), a henchman with a penchant for violence. Along the way, Drebin encounters a host of colorful characters, including his bumbling sidekick, Ed Hocken (O.J. Simpson); a seductive and deadly assassin, Lucy Valois (Priscilla Presley); and a group of inept government agents who are more interested in their golf game than solving the case. As Drebin's investigation unfolds, he finds himself in a series of absurd and hilarious situations, from infiltrating an energy company's boardroom meeting to accidentally foiling a high-stakes robbery. Despite his best efforts, Drebin's antics only serve to further complicate the situation, causing more chaos and destruction than the villains themselves. Through it all, Drebin remains committed to his mission, even as he becomes increasingly entangled in a web of deceit and betrayal. In the end, Drebin must confront Rocco and the energy moguls head-on in an action-packed showdown that will leave only one party standing. As with the previous films in the Naked Gun series, "The Smell of Fear" is a masterclass in slapstick humor, relying on Leslie Nielsen's signature deadpan delivery and a cast of talented comedic actors to bring the absurd story to life. With its wacky characters, ridiculous situations, and never-ending barrage of jokes and gags, this film is sure to delight fans of the series and leave them laughing long after the credits roll.
Reviews
Jenna
The first film's restraint was actually a good thing, but this one completely letting loose works just as well. It's a top-tier textbook example of Hong Kong-style Mo Lei Tau comedy.
Annie
Alright, let's translate that keeping the humor and tone in mind: "The love scene was a real showstopper. And seeing Nordberg convulsing and foaming at the mouth was pure comedic gold – the guy basically turned into a Buddhist monk hitting enlightenment!"
Phoenix
The environmental message actually holds up pretty well. Looking back, you can see so many familiar bits and pieces of this classic slapstick formula in later Stephen Chow and Jing Wong films. You have to wonder just how much the latter borrowed from the former. The "Ghost" spoof is gold! 7.3
Jessica
Teddy seems to have a soft spot for this one in his English classes...
Bradley
This raunchy comedy perfectly captures the absurdity of a bumbling cop taking on corruption in the energy industry, but it’s also a hilarious metaphor for how some people in power might fear innovation—or maybe just getting outsmarted.
Harmony
The movie is a hilarious blend of slapstick and political satire, perfect for fans of over-the-top comedy. With Frank Drebin’s quirky antics, it’s easy to laugh at the absurdity while still being able to smell the fear in the room, both on and off screen!
Amara
The film's humor arises from Frank Drebin's bumbling attempts to outsmart the corporate conspirators, highlighting the absurdity of bureaucratic ineptitude in a world driven by technology and greed.
