"He was found dead."
"Was it fatal?"
Funny how sometimes being a sourpuss works out.
Take this quizzical revival of the Pink Panther. Now I'm sure many of you out there, myself included, are biased due to the fond memories of the original series starring the legendary Peter Sellers. As well, Steve Martin (post-The Jerk) is among those actors I wouldn't cross the street to see. Add that to Hollywood's embarrassingly pathetic recipe for re-hashing old story lines and you have a bar set very, very low.
Luckily, I suppose, this would have to be one of those times when an astoundingly low expectation actually leaves you pleasantly surprised.
There are a handful of elements from the original, including the Pink Panther Diamond, and some bumbling, but unfortunately Kato is gone and the Inspector himself encompasses his "attack anywhere" style. The plot, if you want to call it that, is an older-than-dirt whodunit. Chief Inspector Kevin Kline puts Martin in charge, figuring his mistakes will lead Kline's own investigation to win him the Medal of Honor. As well, Beyoncé plays a hot chocolate red herring while Jean Reno plays the straight man to Martin.
Should fans of the original expect to see the Pink Panther magic re-kindled? No. However, if you're looking for some fine bumbling fluff that the whole family can enjoy - bingo.
Keeping in the bumbling spy movie vein, might I also suggest Bill Murray's little known masterpiece, The Man Who Knew Too Little.
