Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult (1994)

Terrible acting, screenplay and direction.

Absolutely the worst movie.

There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

Like all great empires of history, they end. Some wither and die away, and some come to an inglorious end. The latter is thus what describes The Final Insult.After seeing what is arguably the zenith of Frank Drebin's adventures in the first two Naked Gun films (and being pleasantly surprised at the punches The Smell of Fear was able to deliver after its predecessor), I was a bit dubious. "How could the last movie in the trilogy measure up?" I thought to myself. Turns out it didn't, so my vindication is bittersweet.It's not just that some of the jokes don't age, it's that they're outright recycled (calling it an 'homage' is far too generous), not just from previous Naked Gun/Police Squad releases, but from Airplane! as well.There are a few positives to this film. The working woman/stay-at-home husband is a very nice inverse of traditional gender norms (even while the romance itself is a not uncommon Hollywood May-December romance); there are also a few effective zingers, and I appreciate the hidden meaning behind the title. However, best to skip this movie unless you're dedicated to seeing the disappointing finale of what is otherwise a great series.

Frank Drebin (Leslie Nielsen) is now retired. Jane Spencer (Priscilla Presley) is a high powered D.A. but she has baby on the brain. Ed Hocken (George Kennedy) and Nordberg (O.J. Simpson) ask Frank to go undercover to take down a gang of terrorists planning to detonate a bomb at the Academy Awards.Sometimes a character needs to go into retirement. This is the case for Frank Drebin. It's not that the franchise has changed. In fact, the humor remains very similar. The public is just done with this character. The effort is still there with only David Zucker returning as writer. Leslie Nielsen is still inappropriately funny. The 'Untouchables' opening is lots of fun, but it's time for the franchise to go away. The franchise could never continue anyways after the OJ Simpson murder trial.

Lt. Drebin and Nordberg are at it again. This film makes fun of every police and prison movie ever made not to mention "Thelma and Louise" and the "Crying Game" (20 years before it was even made!) It's got it all: Love scenes, "precious bodily fluid" and crotch jokes, self-abuse, transsexuals and the infamous "gumball" opening titles. Like "Blazing Saddles", this will truly insult everyone. Lt. Drebin has become "Mr. Mom" to his lawyer wife Jane (Priscilla Presley) and he must come out of retirement to help the Police Squad foil another terrorist act by the evil "Pap Schmear". As before, the bumbling Drebin uncovers a terrible plot; to blow up everyone at the Academy Awards. Not exactly an original idea. A ton of actual celebrities, including Vanna White, Pia Zadora, Weird Al, Rachel Welsh and Mary Lou Retton. Anna Nicole Smith plays the mobster's gun moll to the hilt, with a bit of "something extra". Stereotypes of "Ma Barker" and "James Cagney" as well. No, that isn't Arthur Fiedler conducting, but it sure looks like him. Very funny but very uneven. In order to enjoy this parody, you have to separate the "Nordberg" character from O.J. Simpson, especially with the delivery room ending! There is not enough for George Kennedy and the bumbling Police Squad to do. It's mostly Frank on his own. Great backstage stunt work at the end, as Drebin and the bad guy "fly" up to the top of the stage catwalk rigging via the curtain counterweights and ropes. Only 82 minutes but worth it! Probably rated "R" for content.

The third installment in the series has Lt. Drebin retiring from the force, only to return to apprehend a terrorist. It's a case of diminishing returns, as the gags become more forced and the jokes become staler with each entry. Nielsen seems to be having a ball, as he reprises for the final time the role that showcased a flair for comedy that had been hidden through most of his career. It starts with a funny spoof of the train station steps sequence from "The Untouchables," which in turn was an homage to "Potemkin." Much of what comes after that is quite lame. Things do pick up towards the end as the action shifts to the Academy Awards, and a number of has-beens and B-listers gamely make cameo appearances as themselves.