The Naked Gun 2 1/2: The Smell of Fear

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The Naked Gun 2 1/2: The Smell of Fear

PG-13

1991

1h 25m

Comedy

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Popcornmeter

58%

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45 Reviews

65%

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100,000+ Ratings

Lt. Frank Drebin (Leslie Nielsen) returns for more madcap high jinks in this police-procedural spoof. Powerful energy corporations are intent on putting a halt to the eco-friendly plans of Dr. Albert S. Meinheimer (Richard Griffiths), the new U.S. energy czar. They scheme to replace Meinheimer with an imposter who will do their bidding. Unfortunately for them, Drebin gets tangled up with their plans while trying to steal back his ex (Priscilla Presley) from her slimy new beau (Robert Goulet).

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Critics Consensus

Naked Gun 2 1/2: The Smell of Fear delivers a handful of moderate laughs, but overall, its strained antics pale in comparison to its gut-busting predecessor.

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Terrence Rafferty

New Yorker

Nielsen combines B-movie earnestness, exuberant mugging, and a trouper's slightly desperate cheerfulness: he turns this rather alarming character into a sweet, ebullient lunatic -- albeit one who's hell on innocent bystanders.

May 6, 2014

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Jonathan Rosenbaum

Chicago Reader

A feeble sequel.

Jan 11, 2008

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Variety Staff

Variety

Even if the laugh machine isn't operating at top efficiency, it still cranks out a few choice bits of irreverent lunacy.

Jan 11, 2008

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Andrew Sarris

Video Review

This very frothy farce is more pointedly political -- refreshingly so -- than almost any "serious" movie in recent memory.

Rated: 3/4

Mar 2, 2023

Full Review

Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

The first one wasn't good, the second is despicable. [Full review in Spanish]

Jan 5, 2023

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...the movie’s proliferation of appealing elements ensures that it remains quite engaging from beginning to end...

Rated: 3/4

Jul 10, 2022

Full Review

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Leaburn O

A very solid outing from Leslie and crew. No idea why it is a derided sequel. Good, funny antics as usual and a short enjoyable watch. Saw it on DVD.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

10/09/24

Full Review

Rare T

The Naked Gun 2½ is a lot better than its prequel, comically and plot-wise. Again, Leslie Nielsen and Priscilla Presley provide a major lift for the whole movie, but the other recurring roles, namely O.J. Simpson, offer just as entertaining an input.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/10/24

Full Review

Bahad j

I am very happy that the movie shows us the steps and choices that are necessary in the life of a great person. I like the movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/15/24

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Aender S

Great sequel to a great comedy.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/16/24

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Audience Member

A lot of the charm from the first film but just doesn’t have the same amount of laughs for me.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

06/14/24

Full Review

Sedale S

A lot of the charm from the first film but just doesn’t have the same amount of laughs for me.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

06/14/24

Full Review

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David Zucker

Director

Leslie Nielsen

Det. Lt. Frank Drebin

Priscilla Presley

Jane Spencer

George Kennedy

Det. Captain Ed Hocken

O.J. Simpson

Det. Nordberg

Robert Goulet

Quentin Hapsburg

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The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear: Official Clip - Boxing Knowledge

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The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear: Official Clip - Frank Has the Blues

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The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear: Official Clip - What A Drag

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The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear: Official Clip - Wheelchair Mayhem

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The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear: Official Clip - Frank the Tank

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The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear: Official Clip - Pulling the Plug

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The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear: Official Clip - Final Requests

1:20

The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear: Official Clip - Interrogating Almost Dead Guys

0:53

The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear: Official Clip - She Reminds Me of Mom

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The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear: Official Clip - What Are You Trying To Tell Me?

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The Naked Gun 2 1/2: The Smell of Fear: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Lt. Frank Drebin (Leslie Nielsen) returns for more madcap high jinks in this police-procedural spoof. Powerful energy corporations are intent on putting a halt to the eco-friendly plans of Dr. Albert S. Meinheimer (Richard Griffiths), the new U.S. energy czar. They scheme to replace Meinheimer with an imposter who will do their bidding. Unfortunately for them, Drebin gets tangled up with their plans while trying to steal back his ex (Priscilla Presley) from her slimy new beau (Robert Goulet).

Director: David Zucker
Producer: Robert K. Weiss, John D. Schofield
Screenwriter: David Zucker, Pat Proft
Production Co: Paramount Pictures
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA): $84.3M
Runtime: 1h 25m
Sound Mix: Surround

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