Frank Drebin and the Art of the Absurd: A Cinematography Student's Take on The Naked Gun

Okay, hear me out. I know The Naked Gun isn't exactly Citizen Kane, but as a film student, I find its commitment to visual gags and absurd setups fascinating. Directing credited as David Zucker, which I'm pretty sure is just a way to hide the chaos behind it! The absolute dedication to physical comedy, playing everything dead straight while the background is falling apart? Chef's kiss. Think about the scene where Drebin is "undercover" as an umpire, completely oblivious to the utter mayhem happening on the field. The way the camera just lingers, letting the absurdity unfold and build, is brilliant. It's comedic timing elevated to an art form, all thanks to the framing and deliberate lack of focus on Drebin's cluelessness. And honestly, Leslie Nielsen's performance is legendary. He sells the oblivious, well-meaning detective so perfectly, that even the most ridiculous situations feel believable. The directing gives him space to work, allowing those amazing facial expressions and physical stunts (like the accidental fight with the mime) to really shine. The scene in the baseball arena had me in tears! They even managed to get some decent wide shots to show the scale of the disaster he was causing which really cemented the hilarity in my opinion. Sure, the plot is basically an excuse for the jokes, but the sheer volume and density of gags is impressive. I mean, they cram so many visual jokes into every single frame, you almost need to watch it multiple times to catch them. I was laughing so much, that I think I missed a few. It's not high art, but it's incredibly effective in what it sets out to do. I also appreciate the commitment to slapstick that is rarely shown in serious movies. Is The Naked Gun groundbreaking cinema? Nah. But it's a masterclass in visual comedy and a reminder that sometimes, the best movies are the ones that don't take themselves too seriously. Plus, it's a great example of how effective deadpan delivery and careful framing can be in amplifying comedic effect. Definitely one I'll be revisiting for comedic inspiration!