Pink Panther (DVD, 2006)

Like almost all Steve Martin comedies, you really need to be in the right mood to watch them. Following in the slapstick tradition of earlier Pink Panther movies (as well as the wonderful cartoon shorts of ages past), this newest installment lived up to all of my expectations, both high and low.

Let me be clear: this movie is ridiculously stupid. Now, do with that gem what you will, for I particularly enjoy ridiculously stupid movies (think Slapshot, The Forty Year Old Virgin, or Spaceballs). Some people, however, are either not in the mood for low-brow or physical humor, or they are the sober type who would prefer something where they aren't expected to laugh.

The premise of the movie is pretty simple: the chief inspector forms a plan to put the stupidest policeman he can find on the case of the century, while he forms a team of real experts to work in the shadows, so that, when the stupid cop fails, the chief can swoop in to pick up the pieces and win the national award he had been elected for multiple times but never won.

Right. Nothing too original or complicated.

However, it's not the plot that drives a movie such as this; it's the fast-paced physical comedy, the hilarious one-liners, and the feeling that the audience (like everyone in the movie) is always two steps ahead of the film's protagonist.

Best of all, Steve Martin's "outrageous" French accent always seemed to me like a tip of the hat to a certain scene in Monty Python's The Holy Grail. I was just waiting for him to call someone an "English pig-dog kaniggit!"

One caveat, though: this type of movie is best rented first (probably shouldn't say that on eBay, huh?). It's just that this is the kind of film that people either love or hate - there's no middle ground. But, in the end, if you liked Steve Martin in The Jerk, or The Three Amigos, then this is probably the movie for you. It really reminds me of some of his older (and in many ways better) comedies.


Other well-known actors/actresses in the film are: Kevin Kline, Emily Mortimer, Beyonce Knowles, and Jean Reno. Beyonce, though physically attractive, gives the same performance she did in Goldmember (serviceable, but she seemed like she was just acting like Beyonce in a bad wig). Jean Reno always plays the same character, too, so it's hard to judge his performance. The others are their usual solid selves, though. I especially enjoyed Emily Mortimer's performance, juxtaposed with her more serious role in the recent release, Match Point. And Kevin Kline always manages to make his villain roles oddly charming.

It's not easy to fill Peter Sellers's shoes as zany French private eye Jacques Clouseau, but in this remake of the 1960s film series, Steve Martin steps up to the challenge. Here, Clouseau investigates the murder of a professional soccer coach whose famous "pink panther" diamond ring was stolen.

Steve Martin co-wrote the screenplay, and is outstanding in the role that made Peter Sellers a household name, everyone's favorite inept inspector, Jacques Clouseau. Yes, he's once again on the case of the missing Pink Panther diamond. Kevin Kline assumes the role of Chief Inspector Dreyfus, made infamous in the original film series by the great Herbert Lom. In this outing there is no Kato, instead, Jean Reno is the ever-suffering sidekick. I must admit I miss Kato a bit, but Reno does a good job mixing it up, and is hilarious in the dance scene. Beyoncé Knowles also stars as the object of Clouseau's affections.

There will never be another Peter Sellers. He was simply brilliant in creating the bumbling detective that made us laugh til we hurt. Herbert Lom was also perfectly hilarious as Dreyfus. Do not watch the film and make comparisons. Simply watch it and enjoy it. Martin brings his own unique style and talents to the character, while staying true to the Clouseau we all love. We adore this film. It is a wonderful update to the classic film series. HAMBURR...HAMBURGUUUR... we can't stop laughing!

Steven Holt
Movie Magic USA

Many people have seen the classic Pink Panther movies and cartoons, but there is one thing that they are missing. Steve Martin. His performance in The Pink Panther will leave you rolling with laughter and wanting more. The story begins at the World Soccer Semifinal, where the French coach is murdered and the infamous pink panther diamond stolen from him. In order to stall for time, Chief Inspector Dryfus (Kevin Kline) hires a bumbling idiot to putter along and get no where until he is ready to take over. And that is exactly where Inspector Clouseau (Steve Martin) comes in. The movie follows Clouseau as he attempts to recover the diamond with the help of his partner, Ponton (Jean Reno), and a world famous popstar (Beyoncé). Want to know more? See the movie. It is worth the price to rent it just for Steve Martins ridiculous "French" accent...

Martin's Clouseau is perfect: more homey, less weird than Peter Sellers...but definitely a successful interpretation.
The story involves the Pink Panther diamond, a pop singer (bombshell Beyonce' Knowles), a soccer manager's murder (Jason Stratham) and around once again to use and abuse Clouseau, Chief Inspector Dreyfus (a muted Kevin Kline).
Some of the racy double entendres were thankfully left intact and Clouseau's relationship with his assistant Nicole (a funny, sexy Emily Mortimer) is warm and witty....something that Sellers's Clouseau could never quite attain.
"The Pink Panther" 2006 is a barrel of laughs and yet its comedy is thankfully rooted in the things that make us human: it's a major change from the previous incarnation but a welcome one and an artistic success nonetheless.
Clean fun for the whole family