I remember watching the Peter Sellers original when I was little. I remember laughing because Peter Sellers was a brilliant physical comic, in addition to the cameo guest appearance of one of my favorite cartoon characters of all time. Add to that his catchy theme song, and you had a funny movie.
I like Steve Martin and Kevin Kline. I like Steve Martin's sense of humor. He wrote the screenplay for this movie, you know.
But he ain't no Peter Sellers. This movie was boring. And even though it appeared to bomb out of the theater, they're apparently making a sequel. Good night!
The plot is not exactly the same. Oh sure, there's a big pink diamond called the Pink Panther for no apparent reason. There's an apparent theft of this diamond and a murder. And bumbling Inspector Clouseau appears to, beyond logic, solve the case.
It's all been updated for the new millenium, of course, with the murder of a soccer star and a suspicious pop artist girlfriend played by Beyonce.
Yet, it was boring. There were some chuckleworthy moments, lots of slapstick comedy, and a few sincerely funny scenes, but all in all, the movie made me want to go to sleep.
I have to give it a 5 out of 10 as utterly mediocre. It wasn't all bad, and it wasn't an idea that didn't work. After all, it worked the first time in much defter, funnier hands.
It doesn't pass the test, though. I will not be buying it, nor will I be interested in the sequel.