The Pink Panther (2006)
When I saw this movie with my family in the theaters, I remember everyone was really disappointed. Going back and rewatching it over ten years later, it wasn’t that bad! Of course we were disappointed not to see Peter Sellers, but if you look at it in a different way, it’s actually a really good remake. In the 1960s, a beloved comedian put on a mustache and a French accent, bumbled his way with physical gags and verbal misunderstandings, made his superior hate him, had a more competent sidekick, and often found himself in awkward bedroom situations with beautiful women. In 2006, a beloved comedian put on a mustache and a French accent, and—to save myself time by repeating the entire list—did exactly the same things. This remake in a modern setting includes little throwbacks to the original series, like showing Steve Martin playing with a globe, warning his assistant, Jean Reno, that he plans to attack him in the future without warning, and ruining a “priceless” piece of furniture. There are also updates to put Inspector Clouseau into a modern time period, things that, had Peter Sellers still been around and said them, would have fit right in. Steve takes a phone call on his cell and gets scammed out of his credit card number with the enticement of a better satellite selection.
Kevin Kline plays Inspector Dreyfuss, repeating his delightful French accent and reminding audiences how much they loved him in French Kiss. Jean Reno is the French version of Kato, and several other familiar faces make appearances: Roger Rees, Clive Owen, Kristin Chenoweth, Henry Czerny, and Jason Statham. Beyoncé serves as the main eye candy, playing a world famous singer. Emily Mortimer is the adorable, shy secretary with a secret crush, and she gets to wear even prettier clothes than Beyoncé! In one of my favorite jokes, Clive Owen manages a straight face as he tells Steve he’s, “Agent 006. Know what that means?” Steve says, “It means you’re one short of the big time.” Give this remake a second chance and remind yourself that the 1960s movies had some silly moments, too.
More Kevin Kine movies here!
More Steve Martin movies here!
Kevin Kline plays Inspector Dreyfuss, repeating his delightful French accent and reminding audiences how much they loved him in French Kiss. Jean Reno is the French version of Kato, and several other familiar faces make appearances: Roger Rees, Clive Owen, Kristin Chenoweth, Henry Czerny, and Jason Statham. Beyoncé serves as the main eye candy, playing a world famous singer. Emily Mortimer is the adorable, shy secretary with a secret crush, and she gets to wear even prettier clothes than Beyoncé! In one of my favorite jokes, Clive Owen manages a straight face as he tells Steve he’s, “Agent 006. Know what that means?” Steve says, “It means you’re one short of the big time.” Give this remake a second chance and remind yourself that the 1960s movies had some silly moments, too.
More Kevin Kine movies here!
More Steve Martin movies here!