La Pantera Rosa

First off, why all the reruns? Are there NO creative minds left in the movie making business? Or are they all tangled up in making dreary reality films? Steve Martin deserves something original as he is certainly an original talent. Why must we have to go into a movie with the quintessential movie of that title already firmly etched into our mind? The comparison is going to be there, try as you may to squelch it. And in so saying, I will admit this movie isn't bad, it does have the moments and the laughs. But I, for one, am tired of rehash after rehash of previously made movies - most of which can't be improved on. (Witness the hideous remake of Charley and the Chocolate Factory. That will likely be the only movie that Johnny Depp, one of the world's best actors, shouldn't have made and that was almost embarrassing to watch.) And The Pink Panther should have been left the perfect jewel that was created by Peter Sellers.

This movie unfolds slowly & tentatively, but picks up speed as it progresses...or maybe I was just too concerned with Steve Martin's interpretation of Inspector Clouseau, and I finally relaxed about halfway through the film. Well, when you're used to seeing Peter Sellers as Clouseau, it's just difficult to view anyone else in that role. But, true to the character, Steve Martin does make it his own, and actually pulls it off pretty effectively. He has always been good with physical humor, and this film is no exception.

Similarly, its difficult to adjust to seeing Kevin Kline as Inspector Dreyfus. Since this movie is a prequel, I can assume that Clouseau has yet to get completely under his skin. It was typical Kevin Kline ... dry, with a weak french accent. I was mildly disappointed because I really enjoyed his french character & accent in French Kiss several years ago.

The first few gags were very short-sided and fell flat, but once Clouseau starts looking for clues the slapstick works a little better & the film gets more enjoyable. Many of the gags are predictable (as is the plot), but what really makes them work is Martin's reactions (which I really think was the key to Peter Seller's portrayal as well).

This film was very tame, with only subtle innuendoes that most youngsters aren't likely to grasp. The audience appeared to laugh at least as much as I did. If you don't expect too much, this movie will be fun; if you expect too much, you're likely to be disappointed.

I'm rather surprised at the outpouring of positive commentary about this movie, especially by folks who are older than ten or so.

I saw this with my son in a crowded theatre, mostly children, and from the reaction, most of them thought it was hilarious. I'd been hoping for a bit more of a nod to adults - something along the lines of what there was in Bugs Bunny or, more recently, in a lot of the SpongeBob Squarepants episodes - something more than fart jokes and basic slapstick.

Unfortunately, that's pretty much all there was. I felt like I was sitting through Mr. Magoo again, except with Steve Martin instead of Leslie Nielsen. Sure, there were a couple of funny bits, but they were certainly not enough to carry the movie - a lot like MIB II in this regard, where it felt like they had a couple of jokes left over from the first that they tried to use to carry the movie.

The wonderful actors Kevin Kline and Jean Reno were wasted in their roles - though without them it would have been completely abysmal, and Beyonce does a good job as well.

In short, it wasn't bad enough that I felt I wasted my time, but I'm sure glad that I went on a free pass and didn't pay $17 for the experience. Then again, if you've got kids under the age of 12 or so, take them - they will love it, it's right up their alley - just don't expect much to be there for yourself.

When "The Pink Panther" came out earlier this year, it seems like many critics panned it, accusing it of being another ridiculous flick that uses a series of lamebrain gags as an excuse for a plot. THAT'S NOT TRUE AT ALL, YOU NUMBSKULL CRITICS!!!!!!!!! Yes, the movie's completely silly, but that's right up Steve Martin's alley. The plot has a coach getting murdered at a soccer game and his ring - featuring the title diamond - mysteriously disappearing. Who better to take the case than Insp. Jacques Clouseau? So yes, this is total slapstick, but that's what the original series was. I agree with a previous reviewer that Steve Martin wasn't trying to be Peter Sellers, but was rather putting his own spin on the role, while the movie was poking fun at French pomp. As Commissioner Dreyfus - you know, the guy who hates Clouseau? - Kevin Kline is more subdued than usual, but it's great to see what happens to him due to Clouseau's incompetence. I couldn't determine that Xania (Beyonce Knowles) was 100% necessary, but Ponton (Jean Reno) was great, and Nicole (Emily Mortimer) was...well, hubba hubba! All in all, this movie has clues about lots of things. Also starring Henry Czerny and Kristin Chenowith.

While obviously nothing can hold a candle to Peter Sellers and the original Pink Panther, I was pleasantly surprised with this new installment. I went in being very skeptical, but I laughed through most of the movie, and left satisfied by the experience. Beyonce really should stick to singing, so it was good that her speaking role wasn't very big; honestly a different person for her role would have made the movie better. At the movie theater or renting it later, it is definitely worth a look. Plenty of slap-stick, and Martin's accent is more over the top than Sellers, which made some of the situations very funny. And yes, his pronunciation of "hamburger" features quite prominently in it.