Today’s quick review: The Naked Gun 2 1/2: The Smell of Fear. When a cabal of energy-industry tycoons hatches a plan to get rid of Dr. Meinheimer (Richard Griffiths), the President’s energy policy advisor, Lt. Frank Drebin (Leslie Nielsen) of Police Squad takes up the investigation. The case is complicated by the involvement of Jane (Priscilla Presley), his ex-fiance, who happens to be one of Dr. Meinheimer’s closest coworkers.
The Naked Gun 2 1/2: The Smell of Fear is a goofy crime comedy from the creators of Airplane!. The Naked Gun 2 1/2 sees the return of Leslie Nielsen as bumbling supercop Frank Drebin, as well as his talented supporting cast from the first film: Priscilla Presley, George Kennedy, and O.J. Simpson. The movie offers the same cocktail of slapstick, sight gags, and wordplay as its predecessor, all delivered with a straight face and impeccable timing.
The Naked Gun 2 1/2 is a worthy entry into the Airplane! family. Leslie Nielsen is in fine form, the jokes are frequently hilarious, and the plot has just enough substance to let the film feel like a cohesive whole. Compared to the first film, the sequel has slightly less polish and fewer memorable gags. Those who had their fill the first time around will find that The Naked Gun 2 1/2 brings nothing new to the table.
But those who still appreciate the formula will find The Naked Gun 2 1/2: The Smell of Fear to be a light, irreverent, and thoroughly entertaining watch. Give it a try if your sense of humor trends toward the lowbrow and the absurd. Skip it if you prefer subtler humor or if you disliked the original. For other movies in the same vein, check out Airplane!, Hot Shots!, or the other two Naked Gun films.
6.8 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for silly, satisfying humor.