La venganza de la pantera rosa

4 out of 10

That sound you hear is the engine conking out on a car that has been driven too long and too far. The formula here has become dried up. Nothing new is injected and absolutely nothing is clever. The first half deals with the most basic of pratfalls. The second half comes to an almost screeching halt while the final third wraps up in Hong Kong in a desperate attempt to liven things up. Nothing works and if star Sellers hadn't died so soon afterwards this film series most certainly would have anyways.

One of the biggest problems here is that it's predecessor THE PINK PANTHER STRIKES AGAIN was so good that this by comparison seems like a major letdown. Lom, as the villain in the predecessor, was both lively and campy. Webber, as the villain here, seems very wimpy and boring. Even a silly comedy needs a villain that is somewhat threatening. There is also some glaring loopholes. One involves the presence of Lom himself. He supposedly got evaporated in the previous entry and yet here is looking perfectly healthy and no explanation. He is also diagnosed as being 'cured' and able to return to his former job with no loss in status despite having tried to destroy half the planet.

The addition of Cannon is the only plus. She is older than most of the past female leads and yet is still gorgeous and distinctive. She has a lot of energy and personality and doesn't seem used just to help the scenery.

The formula of having a blundering idiot that is considered brilliant by everyone who doesn't know him is still a good one despite the weak script. The genius of Sellers manages to still get a few laughs. His characterizations and timing are impeccable. The Closeau character is a joy to watch all in itself. The part where he dresses up like a Marlon Brando type Godfather is hilarious and should have been played out more.

I bought this one on DVD, and I read through the booklet that went behind the scenes for production. With only so much time given to write a script, get everyone signed, and make the movie plus the downtime suffered by a health problems (Peter Sellers and Blake Edwards) maybe the causes for a shorter possibly less that usual panther...NOT SO in my opinion...hilarity reigns in this one. I love seeing Clouseau in so many disguises, Dreyfus fainting every 3 seconds (though more interaction with him would have been nice), and CATO HAS A BIGGER ROLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Finally we get to see HOW inept he really was as Clouseau's assistant/manservant. Honeslty though, the funeral scene, the "Remodeled" Clouseau Apartment, and Hong Kong are the best parts of the movie...THis one is worth it

It appears that Peter Sellers' number is finally up, but the attempt on his life fails and he takes it upon himself to find the person who tried to have him assassinated. Naturally Sellers trips into every situation and the results are once again hilarious and tedious at the same time. The by-the-numbers-film-making is apparent here, but still Sellers is able to make the material work to an extent. Sadly this would be his last "Pink Panther" film as he would pass away before the next could come out (the next one just has archived footage of Sellers). Fair once again, but probably the weakest of the first five in the series. 2.5 out of 5 stars.

The French connection(ringleader is Robert Loggia) proposes kill Inspector Clouseau(Sellers) to prove the American Mafia(ringleader is Paul Stewart)what gets importance.Bumbling Clouseau is allegedly killed but he secretly looks for the murder and investigates incognito.He along with the mobster's secretary(Dyan Cannon) travel to Hong Kong where he'll find supposedly his killers.

This release is the fifth part of series and has the inept and bungler Inspector Clouseau from French Surete in the last entry by the late Peter Sellers though he would follow playing but with outtakes in films as¨Trail of the Pink Panther¨. The picture contains hilarious,fresh and diverting moments and never slowdown.The movie has the usual struggles with Kato(Burt Kwouk) and another fighting Kung-Fu style fitting the time(Bruce Lee's operation dragon and chop-socky sub-genre).Inexplicably appears Chief Inspector Dreyfus(Herbert Lom) who was been disintegrated by laser-ray machine in previous film(Pink Panther strikes again),besides appear another customary actors series as Andre Maranne,Graham Stark and known British secondaries as Douglas Wilmer,Ferdy Mayne, Alfie Bass and a Hammer scream girl: Valerie Leon.Excellent opening and ending cartoon titles cartoon by DePaite and Freleng,they will make the successful TV Pink Panther episodes. The flick will like to Pink Panther series enthusiastic and Peter Sellers fans.The film gets memorable occasions for the fun and entertainment.

Peter Sellers as Inspector Clouseau has given us countless laughs. Revenge of the Pink Panther is not as funny as previous Pink Panther films, but still, there is enough here to recommend it. Herbert Lom as Inspector Dryfuss is not present in enough of the scenes. Diane Cannon sparks things up with her presense. If you love Peter Sellers portrayal of Inspector Clouseau, you will enjoy many parts of this film. Don't expect it, however, to come up to previous offerings in the Pink Panther series.