Watch THE PINK PANTHER 2 only if you’re into slapstick comedy

We've all hummed the dead-ant-dead-ant Pink Panther theme in our heads over the years. Peter Sellers started it some 45 years ago, and today Steve Martin reprises the role as the bumbling Inspector Clouseau.

Watch THE PINK PANTHER 2 only if you're into slapstick comedy

What's it about: We've all hummed the dead-ant-dead-ant Pink Panther theme in our heads over the years.
Peter Sellers started it some 45 years ago, and today Steve Martin reprises the role as the bumbling Inspector Clouseau. Perhaps one of the most likeable and entertaining characters to have been brought alive on screen, the series takes the old wine and packages it in a flashy new bottle catering to new-age viewers. This time Clouseau faces the Tornado an evil thief who steals expensive artifacts around the world (including the Pope's ring). A dream team of top detectives around the world (which includes Rai) joins Clouseau in his effort to track Tornado down and also bring back the Pink Panther. Assist-ing him are his sidekicks Panton (Reno) and Nicole (Emily)

What's hot: The film makes good use of its prime locations Paris and Rome, weaving and creating scenes and events in these two gorgeous cities. John Cleese as Closeau's boss fills in Kevin Kline's shoes aptly. Emily Mortimer plays the dainty Nicole who's wooed by Andy Garcia but knows her heart belongs to Clouseau.

What's not: When an entire movie revolves around slapstick, racist jokes (referring to Asians as little yellow men), and accents that annoy rather than entertain, you wonder if you are watching a Mr Bean reject episode. Even though Martin is one of the most talented comedians we've seen, he has a daunting task of coming through all the Peter Seller comparisons. With a weak script and dialogues written to cater to a PG-13 audience, the film just doesn't match to what its enterprise stands for. Ash as the expert on Tornado, has very little to do except than look pretty, flutter her eye lashes and make sure her hair is well ironed! Apart from the climax, there isn't much of her you'll see in the film. The jokes and gags fall flat at places you need them to take the story forward.

What to do: I think the series should have come to a stop after Sellers made way for Martin for fill up his long vacated shoes. Watch it only if moronic slapstick is your cup of tea.

Pink Panther 2
*1/2
Dir: Harald Zwart
Cast: Steve Martin, Jean Reno, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Emily Mortimer

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