The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review

Paramount's 2160p/Dolby Vision UHD release of "The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!" is marked by both commendable strengths and some notable weaknesses. While offering an undebatably improved image quality over previous formats, including Blu-ray, the transfer suffers from inconsistencies. High-yield details, robust grain structure, and lifelike color reproduction show the film at its best, enhancing clarity and maintaining a solid filmic look. The color spectrum showcases a punchiness that remains true to the original, fleshing out depth and vividness without altering color grades fundamentally—although occasional oversaturation is noted, such as on Jane's red dress. Black levels and white balance are well-handled, presenting a clean and mostly speckle-free print. Unfortunately, visible processing can result in some shots appearing artificially enhanced or soft, particularly during motion-heavy scenes.

Notably, some sporadic and semi-intrusive motion blurs hinder the overall experience. Viewers have reported varying degrees of this issue dependent on their home video setups. Additionally, moments in the transfer lack the three-dimensional quality seen in modern films and fall into a somewhat flat appearance. This fluctuating image quality can be attributed to the combined effects of somewhat inconsistent source elements and processing interventions.

Despite these flaws, the benefits afforded by the Dolby Vision pass stand out, providing bright and bold highlights that deliver impressive intensity and depth, particularly in scenes set within the baseball stadium. However, occasional chroma noise and color bleed slightly detract from this otherwise highlight-grade scene. Ultimately, while this transfer represents the best visual presentation of "The Naked Gun" to date, it remains a mixed bag, juggling both appreciable improvements and some significant technical drawbacks.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!" features the same DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack from the 2011 Blu-ray. Despite its age, the auditory experience remains impressive, starting with a rich and well-spaced opening title music. The soundtrack maintains excellent clarity and precision, notably enhancing Leslie Nielsen’s powerful dialogue delivery, which is crisp and well-centered. The surround channels, while not particularly immersive, do contribute during prominent action sequences and crowd scenes, albeit modestly.

The audio track ensures a balance that keeps dialogues intact and clear, leveraging a front/center channel heavy approach. The slapstick comedy elements and musical scores like Herman’s Hermits’ “Into Something Good” benefit from this track, adding to the overall enjoyment without distortion. While there are a few instances where heavier effects like plane landings lack complete fidelity, the general ambience, including gunshots and ballgame sounds, presents a fair auditory experience.

In conclusion, though the track may not boast the immersive surround activity seen in more modern films or a Dolby Atmos upgrade, it offers a solid and clear presentation. Longtime fans will appreciate the boost in clarity and the faithful preservation of the original audio elements. This DTS-HD MA 5.1 track provides a dependable and enjoyable listening experience that complements the film's humor and action.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!" is sparse in terms of new extras. While no additional content is available on the UHD disc, the bundled Blu-ray includes a carryover commentary track and theatrical trailer, ensuring some bonus engagement for fans. The audio commentary, featuring David Zucker, Robert Weiss, and Peter Tilden, provides humorous and insightful behind-the-scenes anecdotes, maintaining solid entertainment value. Unfortunately, the lack of new or retrospective material is a letdown for long-time enthusiasts. This specific release comes in a unique SteelBook packaging, which adds visual appeal but does little to enhance the overall supplemental content offering.

Extras included in this disc:

• Audio Commentary: Features David Zucker, Robert Weiss, and Peter Tilden.
• Theatrical Trailer: Original promotional material from the film's release.

Paramount's release of "The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!" in 4K UHD format offers a visual treat, featuring a 2160p/Dolby Vision video upgrade. While the audio remains the same as the 2011 Blu-ray's DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, the visual enhancement significantly improves the viewing experience. This UHD release avoids excessive R-rated content, continuing the film’s tradition of delivering sophisticated yet sophomoric humor that appeals across generations. The SteelBook packaging, although not universally praised for its design, retains the Blu-ray's original commentary and trailer.

The film itself is a paragon of slapstick comedy, helmed deftly by Leslie Nielsen. Playing Frank Drebin, Nielsen’s impeccable comic timing and deadpan delivery elevate every scene, even when the humor borders on the absurd. His investigation into Vincent Ludwig (Ricardo Montalban) and burgeoning romance with Jane Spencer (Priscilla Presley) blend parody and sincerity seamlessly. The plot absurdities, from drug cartels to an assassination plot against Queen Elizabeth, mirror the outlandish humor of its precursor series, "Police Squad." The inclusion of O.J. Simpson as Detective Nordberg adds a layer of contemporary notoriety that only amplifies the film’s comedic value.

A hallmark of Jim Abrahams and the Zucker brothers' filmmaking, "The Naked Gun" thrives on background gags and absurdist humor, making each viewing a fresh comedic experience. The ensemble cast, including George Kennedy and John Houseman, contributes to a constantly engaging comical atmosphere. The film’s humor holds up remarkably well, with timeless physical comedy akin to "The Three Stooges." This 4K release preserves the film’s legacy as a masterclass in parody while offering a visually enriched experience for fans old and new.

"The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!" remains an enduring classic in the screwball comedy genre, delivering consistent laughs through its clever blend of deadpan humor, exaggerated physical gags, and memorable performances. Leslie Nielsen's exceptional comedic timing stands out, elevating the film to iconic status. Paramount's 4K UHD release attempts to enhance this beloved film, providing a new 2160p/Dolby Vision transfer that offers moderate improvements in picture quality.

While the 4K transfer does present a noticeable upgrade compared to previous Blu-ray releases, particularly in terms of color vibrancy and detail, it unfortunately suffers from some issues with motion blur, which may vary in visibility depending on different viewing setups. Moreover, the audio experience remains unchanged, retaining the same quality as earlier editions. The supplementary material is identical to past releases, presenting nothing new for fans who may already own previous versions.

In conclusion, "The Naked Gun" delivers endless laughs through a mix of deadpan jokes and physical gags, with Leslie Nielsen's performance being a standout element. While Paramount's UHD release could have benefited from a more refined transfer and enhanced packaging, the film itself remains a timeless comedy. This edition may be best suited for die-hard fans looking for any upgrade, but others may want to consider waiting for a sale or a potential future release with improved quality.