Pink Panther (2006)

"Sheer Enjoyment for the whole family.  Janet Stokes, Film Advisory Board, INC
"Flat out hilarious. Steve Martin is incredible.  Larry King
"Uproariously funny!  Michael Janusouis, The Providence Journal
"This one will make you laugh early and often, and send you out of the theater in a cheerful mood.  John Migliore, Premiere
"Steve Martin was able to do what no one had done so far: follow in the footsteps of Peter Sellers.  Kevin Carr, 7M Pictures
"Transforming Clouseau's perennial nemesis into a more urbane smoothie, Kevin Kline delivers like a pro.  Mike Clark, USA Today

Editor's Note Reviving the beloved comedy franchise THE PINK PANTHER, the brilliant Steve Martin returns to his slapstick physical-comedy roots. After years of flirting with the world of high culture--from his hilarious NEW YORKER pieces to his critically acclaimed novella, SHOPGIRL--Martin is back to doing what he became famous for: splitting our sides with laughter. Here he reinvents the character of Inspector Clouseau, the hapless, bungling detective with the overwrought French accent and metaphorically huge head. With his black beret and Pepe LaPew moustache, the policeman is called on to solve a high-profile crime, making a series of hilariously clumsy missteps along the way. The story centers on a familiar murder-heist narrative. A famous soccer coach meets an untimely death by homicide (via poisoned dart), leaving behind Xania, his beautiful and famous fiancée (pop star Beyonce Knowles), who is devastated. Not only has Xania lost her intended, but she also finds that her engagement ring--the fabled "pink panther" diamond--is missing. Inspector Closeau's boss, Inspector Dreyfus (a topnotch Kevin Kline), decides to give the case to his incompetent inferior, scheming to take over the case at just the right moment in order to win the coveted Medal of Honor. With his reverent sidekick Ponton (Jean Reno) and adoring secretary Nicole (Emily Mortimer), Clouseau tackles the case as only he can, destroying evidence, fumbling names and pronunciations, insulting victims, and all the while attempting to charm the gorgeous Xania in his inimitably uproarious style.

	Beyonce Knowles
	Jean Reno
	Kevin Kline
	Steve Martin
	Christophe Beck - Original Music By
	George Folsey Jr. - Editor
	Jonathan Brown - Cinematographer
	Len Blum - Writer
	Robert Simonds - Producer
	Shawn Levy - Director

Chicago Sun-Times 7 of 10
Clouseau is wrong, and so is Kevin Kline as Inspector Dreyfus, the role that Herbert Lom made into a smoldering slow burn. Kline and Martin both wear the costumes and try the bad French accents, but it's like the high school production of something you saw at Steppenwolf, with the most gifted students in drama class playing the John Malkovich and Joan Allen roles. - Roger Ebert