STACK #250 August 2025

CINEMA FEATURE

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I n an era dominated by legacy sequels, The Naked Gun is one of the more unexpected revivals. That said, whispers of a fourth instalment have lingered ever since original star Leslie Nielsen passed away in 2010. Now, the beloved slapstick franchise is officially back, with Liam Neeson stepping into the bumbling shoes of a new Drebin. Directed by Hot Rod filmmaker and one-third of The Lonely Island comedy troupe, Akiva Schaffer, the reboot will centre on Frank Drebin Jr., the son of Nielsen’s iconic character. Neeson, typically known for his more serious action roles, has long expressed interest in exploring comedy, and this film gives him the perfect opportunity. His deadpan delivery, paired with the right script, could prove a worthy tribute to Nielsen’s legacy. If you remember his episode of Ricky Gervais’s The Extras , you’ll know he’s got the comedy chops. Three decades later, one of Hollywood’s most iconic comedies returns. Words Glenn Cochrane THE NAKED GUN

F ew modern filmmakers are more synonymous with King adaptations than Mike Flanagan. After Gerald’s Game and Doctor Sleep , the director tackles one of the author’s quieter gems in The Life of Chuck , a novella from the 2020 collection If It Bleeds . The story charts the entire lifespan of Chuck, a mild mannered man with a passion for dance, moving from childhood to his final days. Tonally, it sits closer to the nostalgic warmth of Stand by Me or Hearts in Atlantis than King’s darker fare, yet it never shies away from illness, mortality, and even the literal end of the world. “I was completely bowled over by its message, joy and complexity,” Flanagan recalls. “I cried the entire time reading it.” That emotional reaction became his guiding star. While the film confronts death head‑on, it refuses despair. “My entire mission in the movie was to present the realities of the stakes that exist in Chuck’s life and in this story, but to do so without despair and without cynicism.” Structurally, King’s novella is a puzzle told in reverse, beginning with an apocalyptic billboard countdown before rewinding through three distinct episodes of Chuck’s life. Translating that fragmentation to film proved daunting. “One of the biggest challenges of this movie is absolutely having to consider and juggle these three distinct stories that make up one much larger story. They each have a completely different visual approach, different tones and different narrative priorities. But they have to come together to paint one picture of a life and to paint one clear message.” The Life of Chuck stars Tom Hiddleston, Chiwetel Ejiofor, David Dastmalchian, Carla Gugino, Matthew Lillard, Nick Offerman, Jacob Tremblay, Karen Gillan, Mark Hamill, and Mia Sara, amongst many more. It seems there’s rarely a moment when a Stephen King film isn’t in development. Words Glenn Cochrane THE LIFE OF CHUCK

The original Naked Gun was a masterclass in deadpan humour and visual gags. It followed Detective Frank Drebin as he fumbled his way through convoluted cases, armed with little more than confidence and chaos. Nielsen’s ability to remain completely serious in the face of absurdity was a defining element of the series, helping cement its place in comedy history. Bringing the franchise back presents both a challenge and an opportunity: how do you recapture the anarchic spirit of the original without simply repeating the past? With Schaffer’s modern comedic sensibilities and Neeson’s surprising commitment, the reboot may strike the right balance between homage and reinvention. While some fans may be sceptical, there’s plenty of curiosity. Drebin Jr. is on the beat, and the chaos is about to resume. One thing’s for sure, he’s ready to report for duty. The Naked Gun also stars Pamela Anderson, Paul Walter Hauser, Danny Huston, and Kevin Durand.

The Life of Chuck is in cinemas Aug 14.

The Naked Gun is in cinemas Aug 21.

26 AUGUST 2025

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