The Pink Panther 2
Posted on June 23, 2009 at 8:00 am
I have seen taxidermy livelier than this moribund mess which further sullies the reputation of the original series of films starring Peter Sellers as well as those of everyone associated with this unwelcome sequel to the awful 2006 Pink Panther.
Steve Martin returns as Jacques Clouseau, the bumbling (except when he isn’t) gendarme whose physical and social clumsiness somehow always end up saving the day. This time, a super-thief who leaves a calling card saying simply “The Tornado” has stolen precious artifacts that are central to the pride and identity of European countries. French Chief Inspector Dreyfus (John Cleese, with an English accent) is directed to put together a “dream team” of top international sleuths, and despite his best judgment (and jealousy) of Clouseau, he is added to the team. The team includes a snobby (surprise!) Brit (Alfred Molina), a very romantic (surprise!) Italian (Andy Garcia), a Japanese expert in (surprise!) technology (Yuki Matsuzaki). The author of a book on the Tornado turns up to offer her expertise (the always-exquisitely lovely Aishwarya Rai Bachchan). They bicker and pratfall in various beautiful locations, most notably (but not even a little bit interestingly) at the home of The Tornado’s notorious art dealer, played by the top “What is he doing in this mess” award-winner, Jeremy Irons. Second place goes to Lily Tomlin, who once appeared with Martin in the delightful All of Me
The movie is spiritless in concept and limp in execution. It almost feels static as scenes — and attempted gags — are all but stationary. A restaurant burns down twice. Not funny either time. A man tells us — twice — that if something happens he will wear a tutu. It does and he does. But it isn’t funny. Clouseau is very dim or very clever, very sincere or very offensive. Not funny either way. A man shampoos another man’s hair and they discuss the fact that jojoba is pronounced “ho-ho-ba.” Funny? Don’t think so. It is supposed to be funny that Clouseau makes insensitive comments but the movie itself is insensitive on gender and ethnicity — not to make a point and not with any wit, just because it is careless and clumsy. More unforgivably, it is just dull.
Well, my 3 year old son loved the trailer… which, according to your review, must be better than the actual movie. I’m glad I had noreal desire to see it anyway.
Further proof that great actors cannot improve poor material. Maartin is a half-decent writer. Why doesn’t he step in and make this tripe less ripe?
I saw this movie and what to say!! Its really awesome.. Me and my son enjoyed it.. People must watch it. Thanks
Though this movie had its funny moments, I don’t remember those funny moments. What I do remember is the uncomfortable scene where the counselor that is “helping” Clousaeu with his sexist and demeaning remarks and racial prejudice, the counselor not only goes into a wildly inappropriate exercise giving Clouseau a “phone sex” type scenario that he is supposed to not react to. She goes into detail about her soft, whit, milky mounds and the open blouse and her tight skirt that shows the curves of her curvy buttocks…Follow that with Clouseas not only inappropriate response but then we get about 8 different racist remarks. This was very awkward for my husband, daughter and I and even my daughter commented that that was not appropriate. If my ten year old calls it inappropriate, I’m inclined to agree. What a disappointing movie experience.
Thanks, Mama Me! I found this film horribly offensive considering its target audience. Thanks for this comment, which will be a big help in advising other families to avoid this one.