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Specifications:

- DVD-Video

- Single-sided

- Single layer

- Region 1

- Run time: approx. 84 minutes

- Subtitle: English

- Scene selection: Static menus

- Package: Keep case

Video Features:

- Enhanced Widescreen for 16x9

Audio Features:

- English: 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround

- French: Mono

Bonus Materials:

- Theatrical Trailer

- Group Commentary with
     David Zucker (Director, Writer)
     Robert Weiss (Producer)

     Peter Tilden (Host)

Release Dates:

Theatrical Release:       1988

DVD Release:              08/15/00

Review Date:               08/10/00

List price:                     $ 29.99

Amazon on-line price: $ 20.99

Pre-order price was:    $ 20.99

Starring: Leslie Nielsen, Priscilla Presley,
   George Kennedy, O. J. Simpson, and Ricardo 
   Montalban

Director: David Zucker

MPAA Rating: PG-13

Studio: Paramount Pictures

Movie: A        Video: B        Audio: B        Extras: B+

Summary: During an investigation to clear his friend and long-time partner 
   Nordberg, Lt. Frank Drebin meets and falls in love with Jane.  Through her, 
   he discovers Lugwig's mind-control scheme to assassinate Queen Elizabeth.  
   You will sure enjoy the hilarious non-stop slapstick comedy throughout the 
   movie.  The amount of bonus materials is scant considering this DVD's price,
   but the side-splitting humor should make this DVD worthwhile.

The Story

The opening scene takes place in Beirut where granite-jawed, rock-brained cop Lt. Frank Drebin (Leslie Nielsen) is undercover at a high-profiled underground meeting.  Of course, I could not help myself but laugh when Frank unveils who he is and fights his way out of a difficult situation.  Arriving back in America, Frank is faced with finding out who has shot his friend and long-time partner Nordberg (O. J. Simpson).  During his investigation, he meets and gets romantically involved with "the lady in red", Jane Spencer (Priscilla Presley).  Through her, he stumbles onto the evil Lugwig's mind-control scheme to assassinate Queen Elizabeth.  It is then up to Lt. Drebin and his Police Squad to stop the assassination attempt and rescue his beloved Jane.

What I enjoy most about "The Naked Gun" are its many spoofs of (then and today's) current day issues and current events.  An example is Frank and Jane's idea of "safe sex".  Another is Drebin's attempt to rub off the birthmark on Gorbachev's forehead.  This movie is terribly funny... you simply must watch it if you haven't seen it already.

The Extras

With older movies the extra material tends to be limited because no one knew about DVD.  This DVD includes the theatrical trailer and a group commentary hosted by Peter Tilden with David Zucker and Robert Weiss which we found to be quite interesting and informative.  The group commentary is much more fun to listen to than the usual monolog of a typical director's commentary.  This commentary is also helpful if you didn't quite get all of the comedic action.

Video & Audio

The image quality of this anamorphically widescreen DVD is pretty good, even considering that this feature film was produced some twelve years ago.  The colors are accurate and saturated, though the picture can look soft at times.  The new Dolby Digital 5.1-channel re-mix is well-balanced and effective.

Recommendation

This DVD will keep you laughing from the opening scene.  The comedy never gets dull even after a second viewing.  If you enjoy this movie, you must check out its two sequels "The Naked Gun 2 1/2" and "The Naked Gun 33 1/3".

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E-mail: Editor@TimeForDVD.com

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