gee willikers, we went to see The Pink Panther! look, it's a day out with the fam. I didn't mind the movie, it didn't bore me, tho it wasn't inspired. just as we were coming to the steps of the theatre, a boy leaped over a bannister in front of us. it looked like a snow or skateboard move, a daring jump, and he landed with aplomb, and not a plop. another boy wanted to follow suit but luckily one of his confederates halted his leap until coast was slightly clear. the energy of that group was palpable. the previews were for a slew of offensively dumbass flicks. David Spader, that other SNL guy, and even Jon Lovitz in some crap about nerds showing up the bullies. shot to the groin, fart, hahaha. Tim Allen zzzzzz. I hate the look of cgi cartoons, and the formula now in play for any animation: cutesy, glib with jokes over the head of children, blub blub. I went wide eyed as PP came on, as it had some wide angle shots that are fascinating for being wide angle shots. Steve Martin's okay as Clousseau. he's funny. he's not crazy, like Seller, tho. there's something pathological about Peter Sellers, his intensity, the way he goes away in a role. to the point of discomfiting the audience. which is fascinating. Martin was funny but one can't escape that much of what went on was stupid. the destruction inherent in slapstick wears on me. Clousseu's aide was played by Jean Reno, who's really good. he looks like a lug but somehow comes across as fresh. I recollect him in The Professional, teamed with very young Natalie Portman. able to give way to the child star and the comedian without disappearing. the best laugh came when, dressed in camouflage leotards, Martin and Reno dance to convince someone that they are Beyoncá's dancers. 2 of the unlikeliest. there were a couple of moments when Beyoncá was red herringed as a culprit but basically exonerated for being too pretty. a moment of halfhearted suspense, then a long camera shot of her face, and all doubt passes. that's about the level of the film. movies can be so absurd in scale. this thing cost millions to make, careers are on the line, a team of McClellans are needed to handle the logistics, and the result is a trifle. at least we didn't pay more for the popcorn than the movie.