The Pink Panther (2006)
Da Da Da Da Da Da Da Da Da Da Da Da Da…
(sung to the tune of The Pink Panther by Henry Mancini)
I hear so many reasons why NOT to see this movie and am so glad that I listened to no one! I went with some friends and my eight-year-old son and laughed so hard I am sure that I about peed my pants. It helps to have limited expectations and to have the mindset to “go with the flow.”
THE PLOT
Very simple and a bit thin but as one would expect for a movie like this. The story begins with a murder and the theft of the infamous Pink Panther Diamond. Inspector Clouseau (Steve Martin) is promoted from a beat cop to Lieutenant and assigned to solve the case. This is done under the auspices of Clouseau’s pure “genius” but in fact, Dreyfus (Kevin Kline) is determined to out do the incompetent Inspector and save the glory for himself. Gendarme Pondont (Jean Reno), assigned as Clouseau’s assistant and to watch and report back to Dreyfus is like the original Kato who notoriously challenges the inspector with surprise attacks throughout the movie.
THE FUNNIEST SCENES (According to Jodi):
1.
Clouseau and Gendarme Ponton are dressed in camouflage in the last scene in order to infiltrate the President’s gala and defrock the murderer/thief. They come across the screen in camouflage to match and disappear in the mauve curtains amidst the gala. They are hysterical as they move front to back along the curtains, two different shades and so two different fabrics front to back. If that were not funny enough, they both have Shrek-like ears in long john underwear.
2.
Clouseau has the new mini Fiat and plenty of room to parallel park. Can he? Yes, but only after he smashes in to the car in front and back of him, leaving fallen bumpers in the street.
3.
Clouseau is determined to better his accent and hires a language tutor. The scene with Martin and the tutor is classic as he tries to learn the phrase: “I would like a hamburger…” In the end, he just wants a “dam* hamburger.”
4.
The scenes that made me cringe were invariably as Clouseau demolishes the fine art and collectibles around him: The Gold Globe, the fine art & décor. There are quite a few!
Recommendations?
This is in no way comparable to the original Blake Edwards’ Pink Panther with Peter Sellers and I am not sure that this was the intent with this remake but I have to say it was one funny movie or more accurate Steve Martin is one funny guy! I REALLY laughed at the parodies and stunts by Martin. The casting of Kevin Kline as Lieutenant Dreyfus, although funny at times was very poor as was some of the other cheesy supporting cast such as Beyonce Knowles. Look past that and focus on Martin, who is really the star of the show. From his high water pants to the silly mustache and accent of a goofy Frenchman, Martin does a good job.
Like so many movies of the genre, it does not fare well with the storyline itself, but if you take it out of the genre of remakes and put it with silly movies like Wedding Crashers and any Adam Sandler movie, it is far funnier. Thin plot, lots of laughs!