My Take: Despite a popular name cast, this sequel to the 2006 remake is nothing more of a rehash with more slapstick and bathroom humor.
PINK PANTHER 2 is not at all different from its 2006 predecessor. Suffice to say if you like the first one, you'll like this one. If you thought that 2006 remake/reboot was an insult to your memory of the Peter Sellers originals, chances are you'll hate this one even more. With its over emphasis on slapstick than any actual laughs, PINK PANTHER 2 is a pale shadow to its superior source featuring, as well, a pale shadow of that brilliant comic Steve Martin. What was once a gifted comedian who can make even an extended cameo in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS a role to remember is now nothing more than a party clown with a hat-of-tricks that's slowly running empty.
But in fairness to Martin, PINK PANTHER 2 also has an all-star supporting cast to waste, including Andy Garcia, Alfred Molina, John Cleese (taking over for the embarrassing role of Insp. Dreyfus from Kevin Kline), Ashwariya Rai, Jean Reno, Emily Mortimer, Lily Tomlin and even a cameo by Jeremy Irons. Although their presence does offer a sense of quality to the proceedings, they're really just their for show as more screen time is given to the embarrassing Martin. This time out, his version of Insp. Clouseau (I refuse to believe this is an updating of the character originally played by Sellers) joins the "Dream Team" of detectives to sort out the theft of several priceless artifacts; the Pink Panther included.
Some of the original PINK PANTHER movies, as much as I liked them, don't really have strength in its plotting, which is sometimes the same story rehashed for another (RETURN OF THE PINK PANTHER also has the eponymous diamond robbed, as in the original). But what it lacks in plot, it makes up for in some precise comic timing and creative physical humor. Although slapstick gags are at an abundance in PINK PANTHER 2, they rarely are creative; less said funny. You get Clouseau dressing up as the Pope, an unfunny rendition of the famous Karate sequences from the original movies and several other slapstick accidents that mistakes messy as amusing. Martin, a smart and talented comedian, is just lost in this role, just as he was in the 2006 version. He just doesn't understand the character beyond his clumsy incompetence. Nonetheless kids, who will simply buy any clown who can make falling down or being tripped funny, will once again find this amusing, which might guarantee more PINK PANTHER's to come. Do I hear Peter Sellers rolling in his grave?
Rating: ** out of 5.
PINK PANTHER 2 is not at all different from its 2006 predecessor. Suffice to say if you like the first one, you'll like this one. If you thought that 2006 remake/reboot was an insult to your memory of the Peter Sellers originals, chances are you'll hate this one even more. With its over emphasis on slapstick than any actual laughs, PINK PANTHER 2 is a pale shadow to its superior source featuring, as well, a pale shadow of that brilliant comic Steve Martin. What was once a gifted comedian who can make even an extended cameo in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS a role to remember is now nothing more than a party clown with a hat-of-tricks that's slowly running empty.
But in fairness to Martin, PINK PANTHER 2 also has an all-star supporting cast to waste, including Andy Garcia, Alfred Molina, John Cleese (taking over for the embarrassing role of Insp. Dreyfus from Kevin Kline), Ashwariya Rai, Jean Reno, Emily Mortimer, Lily Tomlin and even a cameo by Jeremy Irons. Although their presence does offer a sense of quality to the proceedings, they're really just their for show as more screen time is given to the embarrassing Martin. This time out, his version of Insp. Clouseau (I refuse to believe this is an updating of the character originally played by Sellers) joins the "Dream Team" of detectives to sort out the theft of several priceless artifacts; the Pink Panther included.
Some of the original PINK PANTHER movies, as much as I liked them, don't really have strength in its plotting, which is sometimes the same story rehashed for another (RETURN OF THE PINK PANTHER also has the eponymous diamond robbed, as in the original). But what it lacks in plot, it makes up for in some precise comic timing and creative physical humor. Although slapstick gags are at an abundance in PINK PANTHER 2, they rarely are creative; less said funny. You get Clouseau dressing up as the Pope, an unfunny rendition of the famous Karate sequences from the original movies and several other slapstick accidents that mistakes messy as amusing. Martin, a smart and talented comedian, is just lost in this role, just as he was in the 2006 version. He just doesn't understand the character beyond his clumsy incompetence. Nonetheless kids, who will simply buy any clown who can make falling down or being tripped funny, will once again find this amusing, which might guarantee more PINK PANTHER's to come. Do I hear Peter Sellers rolling in his grave?
Rating: ** out of 5.