Movie Review: Pink Panther 2

Overview

Just how Steve Martin, who once again plays Inspector Jacques Clouseau, says “Hamburger”, just cracks me up. I am a fan of the original movies from the 60’s and so when I heard that The Pink Panther 2 was coming out, I just knew I had to see it. I loved the Pink Panther movie from 2006. Steve Martin and his slap stick antics pretty much stay right in line with the originals that starred Peter Sellers.

I thought that the characters were really well portrayed and the funny antics of all the cast was brought out very well throughout the entire movie. To summarize, this movie is a tremendously funny one that has a lot of slap stick in it, which I personally really like.

Concerns

As always, the movie industry just can’t seem to get away from throwing a little bit of risky behavior (aka sexual innuendos) into a movie and in my opinion, this just kind of ruins it at times. I would say that a lot of the movie is pretty family friendly except some not so mild sexual innuendos between Inspector Clouseau and Mrs. Berenger, played by Lily Tomlin.

Then you have Jean Reno who plays Ponton, the Inspector's trusty sidekick, who decides to put his career before his family. I just have one word and that is "Wow!". I know,in the end, he goes back to his family but there is always that call for concern, at least in my mind, throughout the rest of the movie. So, I think parents should beware of this film and the underlying current that, I think at times, really undermines the family morals and virtues that are taught in the Bible.

Teachable Themes

• Perseverance Always Pays Off

All the way through the movie the Inspector seems to go down his own path and at times to his own folly, but he also never gives up. I think this is definitely a character trait that we as Children’s Ministers and workers need to pass along to this and future generations of kids that we are trying to reach for Jesus. If you really think about it Jesus all throughout the New Testament never gave up and always displayed perseverance.


• Doing the Right Thing

The Inspector throughout the film has his moments of weakness, as we all do. He always seems to do the right thing in the end. This is a very important example in today’s society because the Inspector always seems to devote himself to being a true gentleman. Even though multiple times in the film he is given opportunity after opportunity to make the unwise choice. But, in the end, without fail his integrity always wins out.


• Laughter Really is Like Medicine

Just when it seems that all hope is lost and the case will never be solved the Inspector does something that just brings everyone in the room (the theater) to tears of laughter and then suddenly everything is just not quite as bad as it was before. The Bible actually talks about this and says that “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine.” In today’s current social times, I think we all need to remember this and hand down to every generation this particular character trait.

Biblical References

• Persistence Always Pays Off

James 1:3 - 4 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Romans 2:7 To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.


• Doing the Right Thing

Proverbs 10:9 The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.

Proverbs 11:3 If you do the right thing, honesty will be your guide. But if you are crooked, you will be trapped by your own dishonesty.


• Laughter Really is Like Medicine

Joshua 1:2 My friends, be glad, even if you have a lot of trouble.

Proverbs 17:22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

Discussion Questions

Persistence Always Pays Off:

1. How do we keep on going and who do we trust in during difficult times?


2. What are some things that you can do as a family to help to always stick together and never give up?

Doing the Right Thing:

1. When we are faced with a hard situation how do we do the right thing even though the wrong thing looks so good sometimes?


2. Who should we ask for help when we are tempted to do the wrong thing?

Laughter Really is Like Medicine:

1. Think of three things that you can do to bring joy and laughter to your life right in the middle of a tough situation?


2. What are some practical things that we as an individual and a family can do to bring joy to other peoples lives around us?