La pantera rosa

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.

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.

The movie was just fun. I'm a huge fan of slapstick and goofy humor. Well this is a movie just full of it. I took my nine year old daughter with me, who like a lot of the children I know really like Steve Martin. Well we both laughed a lot and sometimes out loud, especially me. It was opening night and the theater was almost full. There were lots of people laughing during this movie. It was a crowd of all ages and at the end there was applause. I'm not gonna give some long drawn out analysis of the movie and compare it to the original series or any other movies for that matter. I will just say that I was very skeptical about a new Pink Panther movie and just assumed this would be a stupid bomb. Well I must say it was stupid funny and like a bomb it was explosively funny. I'm glad I saw a clip on the Letterman show that sparked my interest. Steve Martin and Kevin Kline were downright funny.

As a father it's always fun to take your kids to a movie where you can both laugh out loud and enjoy without having to worry about foul language, nudity or violence. If you want to go see a serious movie full of the hardships of life then go see one of the Oscar nominated pictures. If you just want to go and have some simple fun with one of your kids, your spouse or a friend, then allow yourself the time to see why Steve Martin is still one of America's best funny men.

The Pink Panther actually refers to an enormous pink diamond with a flaw in the shape of a panther, and not to Inspector Jacques Clouseau, but because of the iconic pink panther's appearance in the animated opening credits, along with the all too familiar theme by Henry Mancini, it's all too easy to associate one with the other.

Of course, many Pink Panther / Jacques Clouseau movies did deal with the pink diamond, but there are other tales weaved into the Clouseau mythos that did not. Peter Sellers owned the Clouseau role, and it is naturally a pair of big boots to fill. But I'm glad to say that Steve Martin has taken this role on bravely, and brought a new, more in-your-face slapstick dimension to Clouseau. Purists might call it blasphemy, but for the new generation, it might serve as a springboard introduction to the Sellers' version.

This movie is set early in Clouseau's career as an Inspector, prior to the first Sellers movie. It's an updated retelling however, with things like the Internet and Viagra worked into the plot. And the plot is extremely simple - the French football coach gets assassinated during a football game, and his Pink Panther diamond goes missing. Chief Inspector Dreyfus (Kevin Kline) deliberately assigns police idiot Clouseau to the case, while secretly working behind the scenes to try and track the case himself, for the medal of honor.

So we follow Clouseau and his assistant Ponton (a clean shaved Jean Reno) as they go about their investigations, bringing them to casinos, recording studios, football changing rooms, and even to New York. There are plenty of situational comedy, slapstick, and loads of subtle sexual innuendo wordplay, playing up on Clouseau's mispronunciation and double takes. But certain scenes do stretch it a bit and somehow could be omitted, like the part where he engages an American speech coach.

What made this movie enjoyable, is the casting. Steve Martin brought a sense of familiarity, and he partners Jean Reno really well. The chemistry between the two men made this movie watchable, as we see Reno breezing through this with a deliberate straight face. Match Point fans might be glad to see Emily Mortimer here as Clouseau's bespectacled secretary, and it seemed that she was there as an unexpected love interest, as well as to further certain gross humour from the start.

Beyonce Knowles stars as a singer (what else?) and she can add this role to her resume for being featured in another detective/spy franchise (the other being Mike Myers' Austin Powers). Sadly, she doesn't do much here except pout, dress sexy, perform sexy, and sing, compared to her much meatier role as Foxy Cleopatra.

But the real gem in this movie, is that of Clive Owen's appearance. Watch out for that casino scene, where he appears in a tuxedo, and in a role that gives everyone a glimpse of what he can do as 007. That suaveness, that campy drink made fun of, and easily discovered as being in her Majesty's secret service. Sadly, it's a role that's not to be, but here, he hams it up as 006 (you must listen closely to Clouseau's follow up comment on that!). It's a real blast! Alas, this film is (drumroll please) censored at a point. And that's very disappointing. I thought the whole dance sequence with Clouseau and Ponton could have contributed to more laughs. I was laughing, then stopped when the music jerked, obvious that a censor's scissors had made its effect felt. It was a bad cut, and perhaps one which was unnecessary even to keep it within PG levels.

The storyline is predictable and it's nothing to shout about. But to chase away long workday blues, then give The Pink Panther a watch, You just might be tempted to get your hands on the original series, just to see Clouseau work his magic in his other adventures.

I can't believe the high profile negative campaign against this film. It's hard enough to make a remake or a comedy alone, but to make both well is amazing. Let's see some of these negative people try to write comedy themselves. There's no doubt Kevin Kline sacrificed his role for the benefit of Martin (a very supportive role taking a lot of physical torment)and the "pronounciation joke" runs a bit too long, but people of all ages (still using an animated beginning, innuendo jokes that only teenagers will get, etc. help pull in the younger, family audiences) will enjoy this quality film that cast and crew made sure to get right. Very entertaining! It'll open much bigger than industry predictions and make steady box office. Hopefully they make a sequel and continue the series.