Even worse than that, this is a follow-up to a poor remake of a much-loved classic.
Steve Martin again steps into Peter Sellers’s long-vacated shoes and finds his feet are so small he can’t stand up to original bungling French cop Inspector Clouseau.
Off key ... Steve Martin
The only reason Martin is chosen to play a half-wit so often is that he is not half as witty as he would like to think he is. Sure, no other comic actor out there at the moment has the timing to match Sellers, but don’t settle for 2,000th best.
In this unambitious effort Clouseau is part of an international detective “Dream Team” trying to catch thief The Tornado.
The actors involved are an expensive bunch all well past their best.
Apart from Martin, the cast includes Andy Garcia, Alfred Molina, Jeremy Irons and, most worryingly of all, John Cleese. The once legendary Monty Python star recently complained that he was forced to work to pay hefty alimony bills.
And it is clear from his lacklustre performance as Clouseau’s boss Chief Inspector Dreyfus that he really is only in it for the money.
Anything hose ... stars try their best
with feeble sight gags
The old Cleese would have at least come up with a silly French accent to outdo Martin’s ’Allo ’Allo! effort.
The plot of course, like Clouseau, fails to master the “element of surprise” — you can guess the true identity of The Tornado straight away. There are a few decent gags, such as Clouseau’s interrogation of The Pope who he deduces is a “spiritual man”. If you enjoy Mr Bean-style slapstick humour this will tickle you pink.
But Clouseau’s statement that “If we do remember it we will immediately forget it” definitely applies to Pink Panther 2.
BEST LINE: Clouseau tells new dream team member Sonia, “Let me bring you up to speed. We know nothing.”
BEST CHARACTER: Jean Reno as Clouseau’s sidekick Ponton is the best of a bad bunch.
FAMILY RATING: One for the kids.
BUM NUMBNESS: Not short enough.
RATING OUT OF FIVE: Two
UK RELEASE DATE: February 13
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