Critics Club II: 41 - Leslie Nielsen

[Neon Ignition]

After almost a four month gap the next batch of 10 industry famous names faces your judgement. First up is:

Leslie Neilsen





Vote for the movie you feel is their best whilst also discussing their other work, your reasons for voting and thoughts on what is their weakest.

Some will have very long lists so some trimming will be required to focus on the key entries but broadly the main selection will be available each time.

[QualityChimp]

Obviously, Airplane is legendary, but it's not Nielsen's film, but Police Squad/The Naked Gun is.

I've cried with laughter at the show/films and still reference it now.

[Dogg Thang]

Yep, that's exactly where I'm at. Airplane would easily be my favourite (and is probably tied with Alien for one of my favourite films of all time). But as you say, it's not his film. Police Squad and The Naked Gun are absolutely amazing and he carries those. That show is so funny and the films managed to retain the spirit of the show even with recasting the other characters. Nielsen is hilarious in those. He can do so much with just a look.

The funny thing is going back to Forbidden Planet and laughing my ass off because he also does those same expressions when he is trying to be serious.

[QualityChimp]

Yeah, his gurning is alright, but he's at his best when he's totally deadpan.

[MartyG]

Yep, that's exactly where I'm at. Airplane would easily be my favourite (and is probably tied with Alien for one of my favourite films of all time). But as you say, it's not his film.

Surely you can't be serious.

[kryss]

He was also good in Due South, being a Canadian eh.

[CMcK]

I nearly picked Forbidden Planet as it’s a SF classic that’s ticks all the boxes but in the end I had to pick The Naked Gun. Comedy classic that never gets old. I remember the laughter in the cinema at the nice beaver gag, I was in stitches.