Michael Martin
Screenwriter
- Joined
- Nov 26, 2000
- Messages
- 1,129
Went to see the remake of The Pink Panther last night, thanks to a free pass I snagged from a local radio station. Frankly, I did not want to go, but a friend who had just had surgery did, and it was a nice way to treat her while she's relatively inactive.
How was it? In a word: derivative. There's absolutely nothing in this that hasn't been featured in dozens of ho-hum comedies over the last 30 years. Steve Martin, while using a terrible (though at times funny) French accent, essentially is doing the same over-the-top mugging and physical schtick that he did for the "Cheaper by the Dozen" movies. Nearly all of the gags require behavior so mindless and stupid as to snap willing suspension of disbelief.
The screenplay is credited to Martin, and if I were him, I'd be embarrassed. "shopgirl" proved that Martin can use silence and subtlety; TPP is essentially a tired, worn-out clown show without the greasepaint or funny noses. The movie is stuffed with set-ups and jokes that were old ten minutes after the first Chaplin film was shown.
There are a few funny moments, but this is no Naked Gun or Airplane!. Despite the lovely Emily Mortimer and nonchalantly charismatic Jean Reno, the film is dull and old. Put this in the category of completely unnecessary remakes. The best thing I can say about the movie is that it's short - barely 90 minutes, if even that.
Beyonce Knowles is in the movie, but she's strictly window dressing and only there to promote herself and shake it in skimpy outfits. And no, not even she makes it worth watching (it's that bad).
If you're really wanting to see this, wait until it hits second run theaters or is out on video.
(Careful readers will note I don't make any comparisons with the original movie; there are two main reasons I don't. First, I don't remember it well enough to do so. Second, this movie is terrible by any standards. Comparing it to the original only stinks up the joint more.)
How was it? In a word: derivative. There's absolutely nothing in this that hasn't been featured in dozens of ho-hum comedies over the last 30 years. Steve Martin, while using a terrible (though at times funny) French accent, essentially is doing the same over-the-top mugging and physical schtick that he did for the "Cheaper by the Dozen" movies. Nearly all of the gags require behavior so mindless and stupid as to snap willing suspension of disbelief.
The screenplay is credited to Martin, and if I were him, I'd be embarrassed. "shopgirl" proved that Martin can use silence and subtlety; TPP is essentially a tired, worn-out clown show without the greasepaint or funny noses. The movie is stuffed with set-ups and jokes that were old ten minutes after the first Chaplin film was shown.
There are a few funny moments, but this is no Naked Gun or Airplane!. Despite the lovely Emily Mortimer and nonchalantly charismatic Jean Reno, the film is dull and old. Put this in the category of completely unnecessary remakes. The best thing I can say about the movie is that it's short - barely 90 minutes, if even that.
Beyonce Knowles is in the movie, but she's strictly window dressing and only there to promote herself and shake it in skimpy outfits. And no, not even she makes it worth watching (it's that bad).
If you're really wanting to see this, wait until it hits second run theaters or is out on video.
(Careful readers will note I don't make any comparisons with the original movie; there are two main reasons I don't. First, I don't remember it well enough to do so. Second, this movie is terrible by any standards. Comparing it to the original only stinks up the joint more.)