THE PINK PANTHER (2006)

Directed by Shawn Levy. Starring: Steve Martin, Beyonce Knowles, Kevin Kine, Jean Reno, Emily Mortimer, Clive Owen. Comedy. Synopsis: A bumbling French inspector is appointed at the lead investigator, for political reasons, of the biggest case in France involving the murder of the popular soccer coach of the French national team and the disappearance of the fabulous diamond called the pink panther.

Yes, Hollywood does it again and remakes a valuable franchise and movie that many would have been happy to have left alone. For many of us, The Pink Panther series was one of the favorites of our youth, and there can never be another Inspector Clouseau besides the great Peter Sellers. Having said that, some of you know that, in this blog, I try to give remakes the benefit of the doubt and go into them with an open mind, since every remake is different. Some try to just remake the original film/show in the strict sense of the word, some try tell the same story in a different or more modern setting, some really tell a different story using the characters we all know. 

Whether or not it works for the movie fan depends on several factors: how the fan felt about the first one, the quality of the remake, the importance or timeliness of the first film, etc. But, to me, fans/critics who view remakes strictly as a comparison against the original are almost always setting themselves up for disappointment.

So, with that out of the way, do I think Steve Martin is funnier as Clouseau than Sellers?

No. 

Did the movie make as big a mark on me as the original series of films?

No.

Did I enjoy the movie and would I recommend it?

Yes. 

First, realize that Martin and Sellers, while both are all time comedians in my book, are much different types of comedians. Sellers, while funny in many ways, made most of his laughs on his incredible physical comedic talents, while Martin gets his best with his wisecracking mouth. Clouseau was played differently by both men, and I think Martin tried to bring his own interpretation to the character rather than mimic the legend of Sellers.

In this telling of the story, the plot is basically the same, brought into the present day with some tweaks and changes here and there. Inspector Dreyfus (Kevin Kline Soapdish) is the top cop in Paris and so self absorbed as to be bitter about his failure to win France's highest civilian honor. He is present at an international soccer game where the tough, but well loved soccer coach of the national team, who is dating pop sensation Xania (Beyonce Knolwes) is killed with a poison dart on the field in the midst of the celebration over the defeat of China. Further more to that, the incredible Pink Panther diamond that he flashed to the world when taking the field is also gone.

Quickly, it becomes the biggest case in France and Dreyfuss is so diabolical that he wants to appoint the most incompetent inspector he can find to investigate the case and ultimately be looked on as a fool, so that he can swoop in, solve the case, save the day, and get even more glory. Enter Clouseau.

Of course, Clouseau has no idea of the real intentions of his sudden promotion and, as we know, that is a big part of the comedy, as the lovable inspector actually thinks he is a top notch investigator. Wise to the real deal but silent to Clouseau is his hand picked partner Ponton (Jean Reno The Da Vinci Code ), placed with Clouseau by Dreyfus to keep and eye on him. Also, we see Clouseau's loyal secretary, Nicole (Emily Mortimer) take an immediate shine to the Inspector and  is one who actually believes that he is a smart policeman.

The laughs are plenty in the movie as the Clouseau bumbles his way through the investigation, making absurd judgments and statements which, combined with his ridiculous accent, keep you giggling throughout. I won't waste any time telling you that Steve Martin is funny, you know that. Yes, I know I said earlier that he was not funnier than Sellers was in this role but, hey, saying someone is not better than Tiger Woods in golf is not exactly a put down, is it? 

Kevin Kline is delightfully wicked as a more sinister Dreyfus than Herbert Lom, Jean Reno, a usual tough guy, is very funny as the skeptical Ponton and Emily Mortimer really steps up to the plate as the lovable, loyal, bumbling Nicole.

Beyonce Knowles delivers a lot of delicious eye candy for the interested viewer, but I said I was not going to waste time stating the obvious. What she does do that may have been unexpected is deliver a pretty good acting performance as the down to earth diva who can turn on the "feel sorry for me" charm when she needs to. Of course, some more cynical than me might say that she is not really acting here, but playing herself. I won't say that because, much to my disappointment, I don't know Beyonce Knowles personally.

I also need to mention Clive Owen (Inside Man) here, who makes a cameo as a suave Agent 006, providing some hilarious dialogue between he and Clouseau, as well as setting the stage for Clouseau to stumble into a successful capture of some bad guys.