This was a very funny movie -- and Steve Martin was great in it!

From the standpoint that Steve Martin was effectively recreating exactly the same character made famous by Peter Sellers, and that there was nothing particularly original offered by this movie, its not terribly relevant that it isn't a scene by scene remake of any of the 60's classics.

Clearly, it was an effort by Sony/Columbia to reintroduce a rehashed idea to a new generation, rather than attempting to come up with something original on their own. Obviously, the effort was a failure, given that this film pulled in $82 million domestic against an $80 million production budget. It's rather unlikely we'll see Martin reprising the role in the near future. It wasn't exactly a box-office flop, but if the cast party was funded by bottom line profits, nobody ate anything better than a hot dog.

From my own standpoint, I doubt that it will receive my vote in the worst remake category this year simply by weight of the competition. Nonetheless, it isn't un-worthy of consideration. Kieran, while you are entitled to your appreciation of this film, I feel compelled to remind you that even Sony/Columbia gave up on it, postponing it's originally scheduled release in late summer 2005 and burying it as an early 2006 release, when studios generally showcase the efforts they aren't terribly proud of.

...And by the way, warmest welcome to the forum.

HeadRAZZberry, I seriously must point out an error in your description of this film. It is not a remake of the 1963 original, it's a reboot of the Pink Panther franchise; Steve Martin said that himself in an interview I read in a magazine. So you have no right to label it as a remake.
Besides, I actually think it's very good, very funny, and a misunderstood film.

Response from Head RAZZberry: Sorry, but since its basic plot (a search for the missing Pink Panther diamond) is essentially the same as the original 1963 PINK PANTHER, this film is a remake. And while far worse films have come along since in 2006, this does qualify for consideration in our Worst Remake category. It's not clear at this point how many votes it may get, and whether it will end up a nominee, but it does qualify...

P.S. How was it "misunderstood"??  All of the Peter Sellers PANTHER films were hilarious to varying degrees, some of them gasping-for-air-from-laughing-so-loud funny. Steve Martin's Clouseau elicited barely a chuckle or two from me, or the audience with whom I watched it...

P.P.S. We are not alone in "misunderstanding" this film -- Here's a LINK to check out its movie-goer rating on IMDb (It got a 4.9 out of 10) and it's critics' rating on RT (Where it scored a lowly 22% Approval Rating)...

KIERAN: FEEL FREE to DEFEND YOUR POSITION. THAT's WHAT THIS FORUM IS FOR... 

Originally posted by JoeBacon ! I mean, we're talking SERIOUSLY of something that could actually SWEEP the RAZZIES!

No kidding. It no-doubt qualifies for the following categories (and more):

WORST PICTURE

WORST DIRECTOR - Shawn Levy

WORST ACTOR - Steve Martin

WORST ACTRESS - Beyonce Knowles

WORST SUPPORTING ACTOR - Kevin Kline

WORST SUPPORTING ACTOR - Jean Reno

WORST SUPPORTING ACTRESS - Emily Mortimer

WORST SUPPORTING ACTRESS - Kristin Chenoweth

WORST SCREEN COUPLE - Steve Martin & EITHER Jean Reno OR Beyonce Knowles

WORST SCREENPLAY - Len Blum & Steve Martin

WORST REMAKE OR SEQUEL

By the way, what in the holy hell is Clive Owen doing in this movie!?!? From great movies like SIN CITY and CLOSER to THIS!

-BooBerry

Marv's right, this cinematic pile of trash is a serious contender for next year's Razzie Awards!

Wow! It's only Februrary and we've already got a film fit for next year's Worst Picture Raspberry!

- BooBerry

Originally posted by JoeBacon Marv, You forgot to add WORST SUPPORTING ACTOR--KEVIN KLINE, JEAN RENO, HENRY CZERNY,

Ah, but I did suggest Kevin Kline. But, you're right Jean Reno and Henry Czerny could also be serious contenders for Worst Supporting Actor in this waste of celluloid!

Whoa! I just came back from an afternoon show of this and... Wow! It was freaking awful! One of the most unfunny "comedies" I've ever seen in my life. How could Steve Martin have fallen so far from great films lke THE JERK and PLANES, TRAINS & AUTOMOBILES?!?

This one definately qualifies for next year's Razzies!

WORST PICTURE

WORST DIRECTOR - Shawn Levy

WORST ACTOR - Steve Martin

WORST ACTRESS - Beyonce Knowles

WORST SUPPORTING ACTOR - Kevin Kline

WORST SUPPORTING ACTRESS - Emily Mortimer

WORST SCREEN COUPLE - Steve Martin & Beyonce Knowles

WORST SCREENPLAY - Len Blum & Steve Martin

WORST REMAKE OR SEQUEL

They should have stopped making Pink Panther movies after Petter Sellers' death...