Curse of the Pink Panther Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		1.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.5

Curse of the Pink Panther Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf June 28, 2017

By 1983, the “Pink Panther” franchise was big business for co-writer/director Blake Edwards, who was eventually stuck without his all-important star after the death of Peter Sellers in 1980. Edwards wasn’t ready to slaughter the golden goose, concocting a “tribute” with 1982’s “The Trail of the Pink Panther,” which utilized old footage to resurrect Sellers for one final victory lap as Inspector Clouseau. Edward waltzed into reboot territory with “The Curse of the Pink Panther,” which debuted less than a year later, submitting a new bumbling detective in Sleigh, played by Ted Wass. Trying to keep the heart pumping on a dying series, Edwards bends over backwards to make “Curse of the Pink Panther” work, but all it takes is two minutes of Wass in the starring role to understand how badly miscalculated the refreshing is, stumbling through old jokes with man who just doesn’t possess the proper insanity to carry the brand name forward.

When the famous Pink Panther diamond is stolen, Dreyfus (Herbert Lom) is pressured to find someone as clever as Inspector Clouseau to solve the case. However, to help disturb an unearned reputation, Dreyfus brings in Sleigh (Ted Wass), a NYC cop who’s quickly overwhelmed by the details of the case. Setting out to secure an arrest and prove his worth, Sleigh is confronted by clever enemies and Clouseau’s old partners, trying to keep up with the manic pace of the investigation, which takes him all over Europe.

Much like Alan Arkin in “Inspector Clouseau,” it’s difficult to disparage Wass for his awful turn as Sleigh. Following orders from Edwards, Wass is merely miscast in the part, with his lack of big screen seasoning displayed throughout the picture. He’s a lanky guy with the ability to participate in comic timing, but Wass doesn’t have the oddity of Sellers, spending most of the feature trying to mimic slapstick moves that don’t come naturally to him. There’s something of a plot to “The Curse of the Pink Panther,” but it doesn’t come through with any clarity, as most sequences are set up to unleash Wass, who provides limited leadership when it comes to funny business.

Curse of the Pink Panther Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (2.34:1 aspect ratio) presentation delivers a pleasing viewing experience. Detail remains, best served with bright close-ups, which capture facial particulars, and set decoration is open for study, with the picture's globetrotting changes ready for examination. Colors are secure, delivering bold primaries with costuming (Sleigh's opening red dress provides a powerful focal point), and greenery is appealing. Skintones come through as intended. Delineation struggles with brief solidification. Source only displays rare blips of speckling.

Curse of the Pink Panther Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix rides with some authority, valuing dialogue exchanges, which sound as clear as to be expected with a production that makes extensive use of dubbing. Sound effects are loud, dealing out all the explosions and parade chaos with emphasis, and atmospherics are agreeable. Scoring dominates when necessary, remaining supportive as it handles with a classic orchestral sound and a more '80s-style synth push.

Curse of the Pink Panther Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Interview (16:50, HD) with Ted Wass delivers a reasonably thorough explanation of the actor's casting in "The Curse of the Pink Panther," with stage accolades turning into a job offer from director Blake Edwards, who made it clear to Wass he was not his first choice for the role (Dudley Moore passed on the part). Wass shares some anecdotes about the production and co-stars, and remains relatively upbeat about the movie, which is surprising.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (1:32, SD) is included.

Curse of the Pink Panther Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The general unresponsiveness of "The Curse of the Pink Panther" grows tiresome with alarming speed. Edwards tends to recycle jokes and reactions from previous pictures, working up a sweat to brand Sleigh as the new Clouseau, failing to update the formula to keep it all interesting. Mercifully, Wass was limited to a single movie as Sleigh, with his casting made all the more awkward by a Roger Moore cameo, who shows up in "The Curse of the Pink Panther," showcasing some effective Sellers-style physical comedy for a single scene. An Inspector Clouseau adventure starring Roger Moore? Now there's a missed opportunity.