THE PINK PANTHER

RYAN: “The Pink Panther.” I love the title.

CAROLINE: It’s very original. Now I’d like to say that this was a movie I had little to no interest in. And I was pleasantly surprised.

RYAN: I know you were. And I knew you would be. And I’ll tell you what. The original is still classic.

CAROLINE: I don’t remember it at all.

RYAN: But there were some redeeming qualities about this go ‘round. And the most important one begins with a K and ends with an H.

CAROLINE: And that’s to you, ladies and gentlemen…

RYAN: Kristin Chenoweth. She’s a scene stealer!

CAROLINE: Blink and you’ll miss her.

RYAN: Well, true. It’s a bit part, but my goodness. I couldn’t love her more.

CAROLINE: For about thirty seconds.

RYAN: But how cute is she?

CAROLINE: She is cute.

RYAN: And I love how her career is taking off.

CAROLINE: Ok.

RYAN: Look for her in “R.V.,” costarring Robin Williams. She tickled us last year in that random film version of “Bewitched” with Nicky Kidman. And she’s also soon to be seen giving Annette Bening some girl on girl lovin’ in this fall’s “Running with Scissors.”

CAROLINE: I saw the trailer for “R.V.” It looks awful.

RYAN: But it’s got our little Krissy Chenoweth. That raises its bar a smidge. She’s an up and comer.

CAROLINE: From Broadway to the big screen.

RYAN: But the meat of the matter here is Steve Martin. “The Pink Panther” is a love letter from him. He cowrote the screenplay. And he gives a fine performance.

CAROLINE: Yeah. And even though the movie’s rated PG and I think the target audience is children, I chuckled several times. Steve was really amusing. His accent and the way he butchered words is hilarious.

RYAN: I know. I’d wanna be friends with him in real life.

CAROLINE: Yeah. And when Emily Mortimer smooched him I was a little jealous.

RYAN: And much of the physical comedy was great.

CAROLINE: Yes. Some moments were over the top, the fart jokes and some things catered to the 12 year old audience, but I laughed.

RYAN: But these were things that turned you off in “Date Movie;” so, how did they work for you here?

CAROLINE: I could have done without the farting scene. I found that a little puerile. But some slap-sticky scenes that if you weren’t in the right mood might have annoyed you or gone over your head; but, I was feelin’ it and I laughed. But getting back to the cast… Beyonce.

RYAN: Yes. Bouncie.

CAROLINE: She not s’much in da movie.

RYAN: Seriously. She was stiff and unnatural. Weird, cuz she was good in the “Austin Powers” flick she did.

CAROLINE: Right.

RYAN: And now I’m really worried about “Dreamgirls.”

CAROLINE: I wonder if many of her scenes were edited out.

RYAN: The other actor must need be mentioned, whom I hadn’t known was even in it is…

CAROLINE: My boyfriend?

RYAN: Yes. Your boyfriend, Clive Owen.

CAROLINE: Looking gorgeous.

RYAN: Dashing, dashing Clive Owen. Charming.

CAROLINE: His accent. Good Lord.

RYAN: Would you have a three-way with him and me?

CAROLINE: (laughs) I dare say I would.

RYAN: Yeah. I think I’d go there too, m’dear.

CAROLINE: (laughs) I know he dyes his hair for movies, but I don’t care. He is just so sexy! For the two minutes he was in it…

RYAN: In a scene which proves he should have been the new James Bond.

CAROLINE: Yeah. I’m thinking this was a nod to the fact he was in the running to play 007?

RYAN: Ok. Final thought?

CAROLINE: I’m not saying run out and see this movie. But if you’re an adult with a niece or nephew type who wants to see it, you’ll laugh. It’s cute and funny.

RYAN: This movie, surprisingly, but happily, made number one at the box office its opening weekend. And it’s not a regretful experience. It’s no Oscar 2007 contender, but it is what it is and it’s cute.

CAROLINE: I concur.