The Pink Panther is Back!

The Pink Panther is back without Peter Sellers in a prequel to the original 1964 film. This time bungling Inspector Jacques Clouseau (Steve Martin) is promoted to Inspector and assigned the case of solving the murder of a famous soccer coach and the subsequent theft of his Pink Panther diamond.

Because it is of the same name as the first film, many people think this is a remake of “The Pink Panther,” a movie about a thief trying to steal the diamond. This is not even close to being the same movie. Do not expect a remake or you will be disappointed. This is a movie full of funny scenes but it is not a funny movie. Martin co-wrote the screenplay along with Len Blum. Martin’s past writing credits include “LA Story” and “Roxanne” so we know he can write a script with a plot, this however really has none. It goes from scene to scene without any reason.

Martin as an actor is hilarious and is very much like Clouseau as Sellers portrayed him. One difference is Martin’s Clouseau seems to be even more incompetent than Clouseau in the other films; so much so that one would find it impossible to believe that he could solve the mystery.

The acting is one redeeming quality for the film. Beyonce Knowles plays Xania, the fiancé of the victim. Through her we are introduced to several suspects. Knowles has really developed as an actress and is becoming quite good. Alongside her is Kevin Kline as Chief Inspector Dreyfus. Kline is always great, but in this film, he deals with verbal comedy as well as slapstick, something for everyone. And in this reporter’s favorite part of the movie, Clive Owen, who plays a British secret agent. Though he is only in two scenes, he is so cool that you remember him as you are walking out the theater.

In fact you can remember a lot of funny scenes as you leave the theater but you can’t remember what the movie was about.

Directed by Shawn Levy and starring Steve Martin, Kevin Kline, and Beyonce Knowles. I give this movie 3 out of 5 stars.