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Since 1996 |
Your Gateway to Music and More from a Christian Perspective Slow down as you approach the gate, and have your change ready....
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The Pink Panther 2 Stars: Steve Martin, Jean Reno, Andy Garcia, Emily Mortimer, Alfred Molina, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, John Cleese, Jeremy Irons, Johnny Hallyday and Lily Tomlin Director: Harald Zwart Scriptwriters: Scott Neustadter, Michael H. Weber and Steve Martin Columbia Pictures/MGM Rating: PG for suggestive humor, action and brief mild language Running Length: 93 minutes Peter Sellers made Inspector Clouseau his own creation. In his Pink Panther films, the bumbling French police inspector, set against his superior, Herbert Lom, was an acting class in itself. Now, Steve Martin has taken over the role and this film is his second venture into the world of jewel thieves and bungling with a capital “B.” Clouseau’s sidekick now is Jean Reno, instead of the stealthy Cato. Once again, the gem, The Pink Panther, is in the middle of a crime spree. Valuable artifacts are being stolen by a master thief called The Tornado (probably from Kansas). Even the Shroud of Turin is gone and the papal ring from the Pope’s finger while he slept. Is nothing sacred to the Tornado? Enter The Dream Team, comprised of detectives from around the world, including Clouseau (France), Andy Garcia (Italy), Johnny Halladay (Japan) and Alfred Molina, plus a fifth person, who comes in at the last time, the beautiful Sonia (Aishwarya Rai Bachchan), perhaps from India. Instantly a rivalry begins between Clouseau and Garcia over the affections of Clouseau’s secretary, Nicole (Emily Mortimer), a shy girl, but one who enchants Garcia. The team chases The Tornado through Europe, while Clouseau bungles every attempt to get close, even (in a hilarious bit) imitating the Pope and hanging in papal robes from a balcony. Is nothing secared here? Karate is famous in the Clouseau films and here provided by Reno’s two sons, who, with Dad, end up with Clouseau when their mother throws them out. There is humor in this film, which consists of pratfalls, cake-in-the-face and numerous chases. In-between, you ho-hum and wait for the action again. Remember the famed scenes with Herbert Lom, Peter Sellers and a huge globe? Homage paid to that here, too. Some clever bits are Clouseau’s Smart car, trying to get a wine bottle in a restaurant, visiting the Pope, visiting Jeremy Irons home (he plays a suspect), and Clouseau’s meetings with Lily Tomlin on diplomacy. Tomplin portrays someone who is supposed to teach police officers political correctness. Partly what makes the film is the cast and each one has a scene, then it’s over. Martin does another skit as Clouseau and then another star comes on with their scene. Jean Reno is the right foil for Clouseau, as he clearly adores his boss with all his faults. Mortimer is the secretary with a crush on her boss, who can’t acknowledge he likes her, too. Garcia and Clouseau have their rivalry and Molina adds a good line, or two. Tomlin looks as thought she would like to break into one of her own roles, but she and Martin make a good pair. All in all, “The Pink Panther 2” comes under the heading of “better than I thought it would be.” Copyright 2009 Marie Asner
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