It’s sophomoric. It’s politically incorrect. But, it’s also impossible not to laugh at. Best of all, The Naked Gun movie is now streaming on various digital platforms, making it easier to laugh out loud…privately.

While The Naked Gun’s newest edition released in theaters on Aug. 1, it clearly pays homage to its predecessor films: The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988),  The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear (1991), and Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult (1994).

The 30-year hiatus between releases opens a new door for an entirely new generation to appreciate the madcap comedy, while also providing a nostalgic return to a “funnier” era for others. A large number of Elkhart High School faculty recall both memorable lines and moments from the original movie. ETI Principal Mr. David Bird is among them. “I remember it being one of the funniest movies I’ve ever seen,” he reminisces. “One of my favorite scenes is when the fireworks factory is exploding and [Frank] is saying, “There’s nothing to see here, nothing to see here, turn around there’s nothing to see here.”

Social Studies teacher Mr. Steve Starzyk finds himself laughing, as well, but over different moments. “When Leslie Nielsen portrays Enrique Palazzo, the opera singer, before becoming the Umpire…and when O.J Simpson is falling down the wheelchair into the stadium.” No need to explain further. If one knows, he knows.

Or, who can forget the famous definition of a tragic relationship that Frank shares with Jane? 

• Frank: It’s the same old story. Boy finds girl, boy loses girl, girl finds boy, boy forgets girl, boy remembers girl, girl dies in a tragic blimp accident over the Orange Bowl on New Year’s Day.
• Jane: Goodyear?
• Frank: No, the worst.

“I’m excited to finally see comedy in theaters once again,” says Mrs. Krista Riblet, principal of HPS. In her estimation, movie producers have been so fearful of offending audiences of late that the entire nation has lost its sense of humor.

For its time, The Naked Gun was rather ground-breaking in terms of its ridiculous, humorous style. Along with Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1992), it reveals a willingness to follow in the comedic footsteps of Mel Brooks’ irreverent but not prejudiced Blazing Saddles (1974).

While Leslie Nielsen made the role of Lt. Frank Drebin a household name in the original series, his successor–Liam Neeson–does not disappoint as Lt. Frank Drebin Jr. Neeson, who made a name for himself in such movies as Taken, Star Wars, Ted 2, and even The Lego Movie, now finds himself in this movie as part of the Police Squad on his investigation to stop Richard Cane from activating the dreaded P.L.O.T device and revert humans back into their more primitive nature! Full of classic gags, slapstick comedy jokes, and nonsensical goofy scenes, the movie is chocked full of allusions to past movies but is able to stand on its own for those new to The Naked Gun series.

So, how does this movie actually resonate with Gen Zers? Do the style of humor and off-color jokes appeal to this new audience? Quite frankly, only a limited number of Elkhart High School students questioned had even heard of the movie. “It sounds like a very interesting film to me,” notes Sophomore Jon Weaver. However, knowing that he can now stream it, Weaver may step out of his comfort zone and give it a watch.

Typically, Gen Z’s are known for their scope of entertainment falling into three basic genres: romance, action series, and horror films. The Naked Gun is none of these at the core. But–during an age when originality is sorely missing in the movie industry–maybe that is not such a bad thing. Although a staple for the prior generation, this genre of comedy will come across as refreshing and original for those of this generation. 

“It’s going to reintroduce people to that kind of comedy movie that we’ve gotten so far away from,” offers Mr. Matt Hague, an EHS Social Studies teacher. But, as a warning, he adds, “There are a lot of obnoxious and over-the-top moments!” In defense, Executive Principal Phil Shults shares how important it is for people to differentiate between when something is attempting to be humorous rather than malicious.  “It’s fun to recognize that these movies are just spoofs of things.” Nothing more…and nothing less.

Thus, in an age when comedy is almost extinct, Liam Neeson himself may have said it best: “Saving comedy is no laughing matter.” And, that’s the Naked truth.