Same title, somewhat different movie. Although a prequel, The Pink Panther is what the 1963 version would have been if they had done it wrong. The caper starts when a world-famous soccer coach is murdered on field and his priceless ring is stolen. Set into the ring is a diamond known as the “Pink Panther”; hence the title. Chief Inspector Dreyfus (Kevin Klein) charges Gendarme Jacques Clouseau (Steve Martin) with solving the case. He also gives him a partner, Gendarme Gilbert Ponton (Jean Reno). Ponton is a reference to Cato, but in a change up from the original series it is Clouseau that does the surprise attacking.

The original Pink Panther was a fluke, a pretty dumb idea for a movie that became a classic with the fortunate casting of one man. Peter Sellers made that movie work. Sellers had a gift for transformation, and immersed himself in the character of Clouseau. Steve Martin has never been one for disguise and here he looks like he’s wearing a fake mustache. His French accent is equally as strained, and unfunny. As a French Jerk, Martin spends a lot of screen time falling flat, both literally and figuratively. His best Peter Sellers imitation is just that.