First off, apologies for being painfully slow to write posts nowadays. New semester, new classes, loads of fun.
So in the last few years, there have been two Pink Panther movies that have been made. The first time I heard the buzz about a new Pink Panther movie, I was excited. I loved the original Pink Panther movies, and while I was a tad skeptical, I was curious to see where they would take the series. Yet after seeing the trailer for the first movie, I knew that the Pink Panther series should have never been resurrected. Perhaps I’m being too harsh, since I haven’t bothered to see either Pink Panther 1 or 2, but I think I’m justified in my opinions.
Peter Sellers was the only person who was best suited to play the titular character. Steve Martin lacks the comedic timing and finesse that renders Jacques Clouseau an interesting balance of slapstick and subtlety. In the new movies, Clouseau seems like an idiot without any of the qualities that made the original Clouseau somewhat endearing.
Compare these two clips. The first is of Peter Sellers as Clouseau, the second is of Peter Sellers as Clouseau.
What do you think?
P.S. In the new film, I don’t understand why they dubbed Aishwarya Rai’s voice. She’s playing an INDIAN for crying out loud, is it so bad that she may have an Indian accent?
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February 2, 2009 at 3:42 am
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I assume you mean “Steve Martin” as Inspector Clouseau. But I catch your drift.
Regardless, you’re right. The new Pink Panther movies are pretty much dreck.
Sellers had a comedic style and gravitas (or lack thereof) that was such a pitch perfect rendition for Jacques Clouseau. He had to, he pretty much invented the character and mannerisms. Any subsequent actor to take up the mantle was bound to fail.
Clouseau is no James Bond to be thrown willy nilly to actors. James Bond is, as much as I hate to admit it, a very shallow character defined by a precious few characteristics. Clouseau has a certain je-ne-sais-quoi (PUN INTENDED) that is very hard to capture.
However, don’t diminish Steve Martin’s comedic talent. He’s a very funny man with great comedy chops and is a legend in the business. He’s just the wrong man to play Clouseau.
Anyone would be.