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Steve Martin continues to be a revered comedy icon even 10 years after his last relevant comedy, but even he knew he needed some help to get anyone to accept a second remake of the classic Peter Sellers Pink Panther films. So for The Pink Panther 2, Martin stacks the deck with talented comedians and actors from across the globe. Emily Mortimer and Jean Reno are back, John Cleese has replaced Kevin Kline as Clouseau’s nemesis Inspector Dreyfus, and Alfred Molina and Andy Garcia have joined as international investigators brought to France when, once again, the Pink Panther diamond is lifted. Add in Aishwarya Rai as a mysterious diamond expert, Lily Tomlin as an etiquette teacher and Jeremy Irons as a suspected culprit, and it’s a cast that would make anything worth watching.

The movie that brings together all these stars is a dull and obvious comedy that either squanders the talent of its cast or leaves them to founder within the scrambled and episodic screenplay. Decent pratfalls and physical gags will take you a long way, but there needs to be some semblance of wit and coherence to keep viewers older than 10 interested. Harald Zwart steps in for director Shawn Levy here, but his poor sense of comedic timing and lack of visual style may have only made matters worse.

Joined by jewel expert Sonia (Rai), the Dream Team travels the globe on the trail of the mysterious thief The Tornado. Each location is essentially just a new opportunity for a Clouseau pratfall. He runs atop a giant globe in a mansion, he falls off the Pope’s balcony, he burns down a restaurant in Rome. The physical gags, as tired as they may be, work a whole lot better than the French jokes, which once again find Clouseau unable to pronounce “hamburger” and, in his scenes with Tomlin, constantly ogling women. The goal seems to be to establish some kind of witty repartee among the assorted comic legends, but all the verbal scenes are draggy and obvious, making Tomlin’s presence, for the first time ever, unwanted.

1. STATEMENT SHAPE - Strong architectural coat silhouette - Trapeze A-lines, belted, origami folds, half   sleeves.
2. COLOUR - JEWEL BRIGHT JOLTS - RED, RED, RED! PURPLE, PUCE, INK BLUES, TEAL, SEA, COCOA, BLACK.
3. STATEMENT  SHOES - Sculptured/spiker heels. Contrast heels/soles/cutwork, multiple straps/buckles/ties.
4. FUR - FAUX/REAL - MONGOLIAN - Whole garments, shawl collars, gilets, trims, arm warmers, hem bands, bags.
5. BIKER JACKETS - Leather and/or fur trimmed biker jackets.  Tartan/country/denim biker jackets. Gilet options.
6. PROM SKIRTS/DRESSES - Full fairy prom skirts/dresses.  Longer skirts and tulip skirts.
7. BOHO FOLK - Complex stylised folksy floral print mixes, brilliant paisley, luxury fringing, wild Boho gilets.
8. LACE - Garments in textured lace, Swiss/Austrian/Guipure/Chantilly lace, fine lace, trims, with sheers.
9. PEEK-A-BOO - Black dresses/see through sheer areas, key hole necklines,  sheer dark or lace tights.
10. GOTHIC BLACK - Smoky black Goth looks - velvet sheers, satins. Hardware, studs, lots of chains.
11.COUTURE CRAFTED OPULENCE - Trousers, tunics, jackets dresses totally in brocades/metallics/sequins.
12. COUNTRY PLAIDS & WOOLS - Traditional tartans/vivid colours; tartan footwear/bags. Country life tweeds.
13. MILITARY BUTTONED UP - Double breasted empire Pea coats in red, blue, gold, black; stand cowl necks.
14. GLOW - LEATHER, PATENT - Patent/ Leather dresses, coats, macs, bags, shoes, shoe boots that shine.
15. KNITS - Chunky cable knits, oversized cowl necklines, gossamer spider’s web like knitwear, origami knits.
16. MANNISH - Tailored pants, masculine pant suits.  CARROT TOP trousers. FLARED pants. SKINNY leathers.
17. ANIMAL PRINTS AND FURS - Animal print fabrics also in brights. Zebra/leopard bags, footwear.
18. FULLER SLEEVES & SLEEVE HEADS - Cropped fuller sleeves, structured rise supported/extended shoulders.
19. JEWELLERY - CHAINS - BIG RINGS - CUFFS - Lots of layered gold chains at neckline/wrist. Ornate cuff bangles.
20. BOLD LEGWEAR - Lace/bright hues/black opaque tights. Sheer dark hosiery. Animal/floral hosiery.