It's not only a pointless resurrection of Blake Edwards' classic comic franchise, but a formulaic photocopy of its predecessor -- Steve Martin's 2006 remake.
The Pink Panther 2 (2009)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:24
Fresh:4
Rotten:20
Average Rating:3.9/10
Consensus: Underutilizing its talented cast, The Pink Panther 2 is little more than a series of lame slapstick gags.
Australian Theatrical Release:
Apr 2, 2009 Wide
US Box Office: $35,922,978
Synopsis: With 2009’s THE PINK PANTHER 2, Steve Martin once again dons the mantle of the giddily absurd Inspector Clouseau. This time, the bumbling French lawman, relieved of meter-maid duty, attempts to... With 2009’s THE PINK PANTHER 2, Steve Martin once again dons the mantle of the giddily absurd Inspector Clouseau. This time, the bumbling French lawman, relieved of meter-maid duty, attempts to track down a bold thief known as the Tornado, who makes off with many of the world’s cultural treasures, including the Magna Carta, the Shroud of Turin, and, of course, the Pink Panther Diamond. Aiding Clouseau is a team of international investigators, most notably a Brit (Alfred Molina) and an Italian (Andy Garcia), all of whom get to marvel at his unfiltered silliness. While this second installment of the PINK PANTHER series reboot features some changes to the creative team, with director Harald Zwart (AGENT CODY BANKS) replacing Shawn Levy and John Cleese stepping in for Kevin Kline as the sourpuss Chief Inspector Dreyfus, the movie reunites Martin with the always-likeable actors Jean Reno and Emily Mortimer. Also joining the ensemble cast are Bollywood superstar Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Jeremy Irons, and Martin’s old comrade Lily Tomlin, making this sequel quite crowded with top-notch talent. Though the film itself doesn’t live up to its potential--the Clouseau role is still securely owned by the late, great Peter Sellers--it offers up plenty of chuckle-inducing moments as Martin hams it up with grand mispronunciations and gleeful slapstick. [More]
Starring: Steve Martin, Jean Reno, Alfred Molina, Andy Garcia
Starring: Steve Martin, Jean Reno, Alfred Molina, Andy Garcia, Emily Mortimer, Aishwarya Rai, Jeremy Irons, John Cleese, Lily Tomlin
Director: Harald Zwart
Director: Harald Zwart
Screenwriter: Scott Neustadter, Michael H. Weber, Steve Martin
Story: Scott Neustadter, Michael H. Weber
Producer: Robert Simonds
Composer: Christophe Beck
Studio: MGM
Reviews for The Pink Panther 2
There are some beautifully constructed, elaborately inventive sequences of mayhem involving sight gags; then there are the scenes in between, when people talk. These are mostly disappointing.
Nothing in this sequel of the remake makes us groan with embarrassment, as several scenes in the first one did
I was not a fan of the first of these new Pink Panther films, but I must admit this time around Martin nails the puffed-up twittery of the character and performs the physical gags well.
Steve Martin is back doing the fur-nay ack-saynt (now increasingly eun-fur-nay); and with this film he's very much channelling the spirit of the final Panther movies from the original series, when Peter Sellers had nothing to offer but despair.
A mirthless shot in the dark that misses the target by some distance.
Serves up enough goofy pranks and fractured wordplay to keep the series purring along.
Hoary slapstick routines, invariably rushed, are all there is in The Pink Panther 2.
Plays like a series of disconnected, hit-or-miss skits in a cut-rate Saturday Night Live.
The actors are let down by the screenplay and direction, which don't really pop the supporting characters out into strong comic focus.
Latest News for The Pink Panther 2
February 08, 2009:
While Martin's all purpose good cop/bad cop excels at flaunting his dark side when beating up children, burning down ritzy restaurants more than once, and ogling every woman in the vicinity, it's a tad too polite for audiences weaned on grossout. ![]()
More...
February 05, 2009:
Critics Consensus: Coraline Is Certified Fresh
This week at the movies, we've got dark whimsy (Coraline, with voice work by Dakota Fanning and Teri Hatcher); love mishaps (He's Just Not That Into You, starring Jennifer... More...
February 05, 2009:
Box Office Guru Preview: Celeb Clan Takes on Pink Panther
Four new releases hit North American multiplexes on Friday setting up a pair of cinematic fights. The main event sees rival franchise comedies go at it for the number one spot... More...
February 05, 2009:
Total Recall: Steve Martin's Best Movies
It isn't the most highly anticipated sequel of the year, but The Pink Panther 2 opens this weekend, and in honor of Steve Martin's second turn as the... More...
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