A Brilliant Conflict

All that we are seeing on the screen is happening with real people, real action sequences in the background, forcing the eye to watch as if we were there.

Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.

It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties.

The Pink Panther (2006): Dir: Shawn Levy / Cast: Steve Martin, Kevin Kline, Jean Reno, Emily Mortimer, Beyonce Knowles: Comic remake about being a fish out of water. Although the Peter Sellers version is classic, this version remains underrated and is a lot funnier than given credit for. Standard plot involves a murdered football coach and the missing Pink Panther diamond. Inspector Drefus wishes to solve the case and hires Inspector Clouseau as a decoy. Often funny but the ending is actually rather clever. Director Shawn Levy handles the slapstick elements well. He previously directed Martin in Cheaper by the Dozen. Martin is no Peter Sellers but he is hilarious playing off Clouseau's well meaning nature. He brings similarities from the Sellers performances while also adding his own brand of physical genius. Kevin Kline as Drefus is a decent foil, wanting to solve the plot but ultimately falling victim to Clouseau's actions. Jean Reno does well as Clouseau's partner, hired by Drefus to report progress yet he grows fond of Clouseau's bizarre methods. Emily Mortimer steals scenes as Clouseau's secretary who counters the standard elements of the role when she becomes an aid to Clouseau during climatic moments. Beyonce Knowles appears so that the studio can have a marketing pitch. Give or take, this version holds up well and given a more uplifting sendoff. Score: 7 ½ / 10

As a huge fan of Peter Sellers and his comedic genius, I can honestly say that Steve Martin's performance in the new Pink Panther movies is the biggest travesty I've ever witnessed in my entire life. From the constantly smug expression on his face that is painfully forced, to his excruciatingly strained attempt to say "hamburger", which by the way he manages to butcher so badly that at some point he's just saying random gibberish, to his unbelievable idiocy and lack of any sense, and so much more, there isn't a single funny moment in this entire mockery.I can't believe they made a second one. Someone please pay him to never make another one again. Leave Peter Seller's legacy alone and don't tarnish the Pink Panther name any further, please. This was the hardest movie to watch, the sheer idiocy is on its own level, and not in a funny way at all. If I could give it a lower rating than 1, then I would. "Awful" is just the start of how I'd describe this movie.

I am not a fan of the original Pink Panther. I just find that movie devoid of any laughs at all (or at least I did - I was about 13 or 14 when I wrote that review). I think that this remake is a good one because it knows what it is from the start and instead of just rehashing the original with "recreat EVERY last scene, and make some stupid changes to them while we're at it." (eg, The Karate Kid) this one however makes The Pink Panther diamond more central to the plot (not that it really matters).Now I know that many people will be unhappy about my judgements on these movies. But I will say that this version I prefer mainly because it made me laugh, it might be just my humour but I rather enjoyed it.

I don't understand the hate at Steve Martin for taking on the character of Clouseau. When Roger Moore took on James Bond, I'm sure people complained that he was no Sean Connery, but now we accept that many actors have played the role. Same with Batman. Did anyone compare Christian Bale with Adam West, or Michael Keton, or Val Kilmer, or George Clooney? Or do we just accept that it's a new take on a character we like. Same here. Martin's Clouseau is NOT Seller's Clouseau. If you can accept that, you'll probably enjoy the movie because it is quite hilarious in many parts. Martin's Clouseau is bumbling in a different way, not as completely inept, and Martin brings more humanity to the character than Sellers ever did. Overall I found that Martin more fully developed the character, whereas Seller's character is completely one-dimensional (but very funny, none the less). So stop the comparisons, and just enjoy the movie.