2/1/09

The Pink Panther 2

This was waaaay better than I expected, mostly because of the stellar cast:
  • Steve Martin ("Parenthood" and "Bringing Down the House") reprises his role as the bumbling but clever Inspector Clouseau, who sports at least the worst fake French accent since Peter Sellers originated the role in the 70s.
  • Jean Reno ("The Professional" and "The Da Vinci Code") is back again as Ponton, the faithful assistant who never, ever loses faith in our Inspector.
  • Emily Mortimer ("Dear Frankie" and "Match Point") is trembling perfection as Clouseau's secret love, the sweet but timid Nicole.
  • John Cleese ("Harry Potter" and "The Day the Earth Stood Still") takes over for Kevin Kline as Chief Inspector Dreyfus (but I still miss Herbert Lom).
  • Aishwarya Rai ("Bride and Prejudice" and "The Mistress of Spices") is making a smooth transition from her position as a pre-eminent star in the Bollywood galaxy to one in Hollywood.
  • Jeremy Irons ("Appaloosa") is Clouseau's prime suspect.
  • Andy Garcia ("Ocean's 11, 12 and 13" and "Smokin' Aces") is part of an Interpol Dream Team brought in to solve a series of heinous cultural crimes.
  • Alfred Molina ("Spiderman" and "Undertaking Betty") is a second member of the Dream Team.
  • Yuki Matsuzaki ("Letters From Iwo Jima" and "Only the Brave") is a techie type who brings scientific expertise to the Dream Team.

What is amazing to me is that seven of these performers are established stars in their own right, the last three of whom have been talked into playing a glorified version of the Three Stooges for this puerile frolic. Is Steve Martin THAT powerful?

Oh well, this movie will make money. I don't mind; it was good clean fun and I had a nice time.