This admittedly pointless attempt to continue the series without Peter Sellers is a far cry from most of its predecessors, but it has its share of genuinely funny scenes and a great performance by Ted Wass.
Chief Inspector Dreyfus (Lom, terrific as always) is urged to investigate the disappearance of Inspector Clouseau, and reprograms the police department's database to find the single most inept detective for the job. The computer finds Clifton Sleigh.
Wass has some enormous shoes to fill, and he wisely doesn't even attempt to do so. Instead of mimicking Sellers, he creates a completely new character, one who is smarter than Clouseau, but about twice as accident-prone. A scene in which he is sitting with his "instant companion" doll at a French cafe is hilarious, especially when it springs a leak and he attempts to keep it from deflating.
The movie's weakest moments are his dealings with actors from previous PINK PANTHER movies, such as David Niven, Robert Wagner, Cappucine and Burt Kuouk, who all appear to be doing this as a personal favor to director Blake Edwards. On the other hand, Harvey Korman has a funny bit taking over the role of disguise designer Professor Balls.
The movie leads up to a bizarre and hilarious finale which is best left a surprise. Suffice it to say there is a surprise cameo by an actor who DOES do a flawless Clouseau impersonation! I'd guess I recommend this movie. It's pretty funny, and has a few gems hidden in there with the more sophomoric stuff. But there will only ever be one Peter Sellers, and there's really no reason for this movie to exist.
Chief Inspector Dreyfus (Lom, terrific as always) is urged to investigate the disappearance of Inspector Clouseau, and reprograms the police department's database to find the single most inept detective for the job. The computer finds Clifton Sleigh.
Wass has some enormous shoes to fill, and he wisely doesn't even attempt to do so. Instead of mimicking Sellers, he creates a completely new character, one who is smarter than Clouseau, but about twice as accident-prone. A scene in which he is sitting with his "instant companion" doll at a French cafe is hilarious, especially when it springs a leak and he attempts to keep it from deflating.
The movie's weakest moments are his dealings with actors from previous PINK PANTHER movies, such as David Niven, Robert Wagner, Cappucine and Burt Kuouk, who all appear to be doing this as a personal favor to director Blake Edwards. On the other hand, Harvey Korman has a funny bit taking over the role of disguise designer Professor Balls.
The movie leads up to a bizarre and hilarious finale which is best left a surprise. Suffice it to say there is a surprise cameo by an actor who DOES do a flawless Clouseau impersonation! I'd guess I recommend this movie. It's pretty funny, and has a few gems hidden in there with the more sophomoric stuff. But there will only ever be one Peter Sellers, and there's really no reason for this movie to exist.