The PINK PANTHER 2

2009, MGM

Live action

Rating: PG

Approx. 91 mins.

THE STORY:

Bumbling inspector Jacques Clouseau (Steve Martin) bumbles his way victoriously through another mystery. The Pink Panther diamond which he rescued in the first installment of the movie series is again stolen, and Clouseau must find the diamond and the master thief, the Tornado, who has presumably taken it. He gets a spot on the Dream Team, a group of international detectives charged with finding the gem, then loses their respect and the public's credibility through his apparent bungling of the case. 

Mixed in with this action is a love story, as Clouseau attempts to hide his feelings for his assistant Nicole (Emily Mortimer), while also trying to stop her falling for the suave Italian Dream Team detective (Andy Garcia). Ultimately, however, he solves the crime, wins the girl and returns to his position of honour.

QUESTIONABLE LANGUAGE:

• damn it
• ass
• stupid
• idiot

VIOLENCE:

• nothing significant

TEACHING POINTS:

• have the courage of your convictions
• if you don't tell people how you feel, they won't know

THE UPSHOT:

Was it awful? No. Was it great? No. It was OK. Great character actors (Lily Tomlin, Alfred Molina, John Cleese, etc.) and potential for humour, but it's just a bit lazy and not as funny as the first one. Some scenes were humorous, but both the 7 year-old and the grown ups in the room were much quieter through this one. 

There is also far more sexual innuendo, which probably flies above the heads of younger kids, but savvy youngsters will get that something is up. I get the feeling the film is trying to be all things to all people, but it doesn't manage to tread the line very well, and just ends up being too immature for adults and too adult for kids.

Disappointing, but still better than a lot of other things I've had to sit through. 


3/5