FILMBRATS - REVIEWS

During an on-field celebration at a soccer match, the world’s most famous player is murdered. Taken along with his life was the world’s most famous diamond: the Pink Panther. In order to solve the mystery, Chief Inspector Dreyfus decides to start up a prominent investigation with an incompetent nitwit at the helm. That way, he can conduct the real investigation without the criminals catching on. Dreyfus finds his nitwit in the form of France’s own Jacques Clouseau. Of course, Inspector Clouseau has no idea that he’s just a front, but that won’t stop him from trying to find the culprit and close the case.

This is one of the loosest remakes I’ve ever seen. I can only assume it’s a rehash of the whole original series, but I can’t be sure, because at the time of this review, I’ve only seen “The Pink Panther” from 1963. But I can tell you it’s absolutely nothing like that movie. This new incarnation stars Steve Martin as Clouseau who also co-wrote it with Len Blum (“Stripes,” “Beethoven’s 2nd,” and “Private Parts”). Martin’s characterization of the Inspector is slightly less clumsy and a lot more idiotic. But at least this version attempts to tell jokes rather than just rely on physical humor and a dragging plot. Even though most of the comedy falls flat on its face more times than Clouseau, there are a couple of surprising parts. The main problem is that every joke is telegraphed. Maybe the guy running into the car with his bike when Clouseau opens his door would be funny if you didn’t show us the guy on the bike riding along side them ten seconds earlier. A major factor in making comedy work is the element of surprise. This film takes all of that away. I do think the kids will get a kick out of the picture, but for most adults, it’ll be virtually unwatchable.

Also, unlike the original, this film actually makes a mystery out of the case, instead of following the thief around. There’s no doubt here that Clouseau is the main character. He’s a fun guy to watch, but I wish he was funnier. The direction by Shawn Levy isn’t as sharp or as visually interesting as Blake Edward’s subtly stylish version. I would imagine that this has to do with Levy’s background as a children’s television director, where the presentation is generally much more straightforward.

I wasn’t a fan of the original and I’m not a fan of this one either. Most of the time, I simply didn’t find it funny. The majority of my enjoyment of the film came from listening to the couple behind me. In their mid-twenties at least, about half way through the movie, the girlfriend had an epiphany. She stated not simply as an exclamation but more as a self-realization, “Oh my god, he’s stupid!” Congratulations. You finally figured out what everyone else already knew before the movie even started. If they make a sequel, (and I imagine they will), I think I know where to find Clouseau’s young female sidekick.

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