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It's a Bomb, Cato!

Inspector Clouseau can't win over critics

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 6, 2009 11:40 AM CST

(Newser) – There is slapstick aplenty in Steve Martin’s second Pink Panther movie, but “none of it is particularly funny,” complains Steven Rea of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Critics are almost unanimous in panning Pink Panther 2. It’s “willfully stupid,” says Bill Goodykoontz of the Arizona Republic, and though he’d like to say Martin is likable enough to make it worthwhile, “that’s too tall an order for anyone.”

Indeed, if anyone were up to the task it would be this jaw-dropping cast, which includes Jeremy Irons, Emily Mortimer, Andy Garcia, Alfred Molina, and Lily Tomlin. “Each of those blue-chip performers is criminally wasted,” writes Michael O'Sullivan of the Washington Post, in a movie that “plays like a series of disconnected, hit-or-miss skits in a cut-rate Saturday Night Live.”

In this image released by Columbia/Sony Pictures, Steve Martin is shown in a scene from, The Pink Panther 2.
In this image released by Columbia/Sony Pictures, Steve Martin is shown in a scene from, "The Pink Panther 2."   (AP Photo/Columbia/Sony Pictures, Peter Iovino)
In this image released by Columbia/Sony Pictures, Steve Martin is shown in a scene from, The Pink Panther 2.
In this image released by Columbia/Sony Pictures, Steve Martin is shown in a scene from, "The Pink Panther 2."   (AP Photo/Columbia/Sony Pictures, Peter Iovino)
In this image released by Columbia/Sony Pictures, Steve Martin, left, and Jean Reno are shown in a scene from, The Pink Panther 2.
In this image released by Columbia/Sony Pictures, Steve Martin, left, and Jean Reno are shown in a scene from, "The Pink Panther 2."   (AP Photo/Columbia/Sony Pictures, Peter Iovino)
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The trailer for "Pink Panther 2."   (YouTube)

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Yet here's Martin, back again as Jacques Clouseau, in a really stupid movie. But it's willfully stupid. Guess there are points for that. - Bill Goodykoontz

Who doesn't like watching Steve Martin dressed up like the pope, pretending to fall off the balcony of the Vatican? I mean, not counting me, of course. I'm a critic. I get paid not to laugh. - Michael O'Sullivan

The director is Harald Zwart, whose resume includes Frankie Munoz and Hilary Duff's Agent Cody Banks, and seems to be aiming for the same age with The Pink Panther 2. That's about the level of humor: subteen. - Steven Rea

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
Mjoh3
Feb 7, 2009 8:44 PM CST
Peter Sellers is rolling over in his grave.
drlarrymitchell
Feb 6, 2009 1:57 AM CST
The first Pink Panther flick was a turd- what were they expecting the result to be when they Xeroxed it?
Guest
Feb 5, 2009 11:49 PM CST
Has Steve Martin ever made a funny movie besides the Jerk and possibly the three amigos?

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