The action star plays deadpan detective Frank Drebin Jr. in director Akiva Schaffer’s welcome sequel to the police-parody film franchise that began in 1988.

Neeson, however, is not to be counted among the rewatchers. In fact, the actor made a point of not revisiting the original films, which also starred Priscilla Presley (who you might just spot in the new movie) - though he did see them when they originally hit cinema screens ("They were a good giggle, he said. "Fun. School boy humor").

Leslie Nielsen for the part of Lt. Frank Drebin deserves a special place in the annals of brilliant casting choices. But why, exactly, Nielsen was so perfect for 1988’s “The