THE PINK PANTHER 2

CAROLINE: There’s a new sequel in town – “The Pink Panther 2,” starring Steve Martin. I saw the first one, but didn’t get to go to this screening with you. How was it?

RYAN: As I recall, you enjoyed the first one more than I did.

CAROLINE: “Enjoyed” is a strong word. Let’s just say it wasn’t as atrocious as I feared it would be.

RYAN: I hear you, but I was not at all excited to see “The Pink Panther 2.” I have to say though, it was better than the first one.

CAROLINE: Really! Was it the surprisingly stellar cast?

RYAN: That definitely helped. It’s got Andy Garcia, Alfred Molina, Lily Tomlin and Jeremy Irons along with Emily Mortimer, who was also in the first one.

CAROLINE: What made it so good?

RYAN: The intrigue was better this time. It’s like a James Bond movie for kids. And it actually made me chuckle a few times.

CAROLINE: Steve Martin is almost always funny; I just found the jokes in the trailer very silly.

RYAN: There’s a lot of slapstick and all that, but Steve Martin looks great. He’s had his eyes done; I can tell. But it’s not like a Burt Reynolds plastic surgery debacle.

CAROLINE: Wow, Steve! I didn’t know he was so concerned about aging.

RYAN: Who in Hollywood isn’t, honey? I’m not really sure who this movie is targeting, but I will tell you that the press screening was barely half full. I don’t think this movie is going to be #1 in its opening weekend as the first one was. It’s not totally heinous though, and since the first one did well, I’m inclined to think this one will too.

CAROLINE: This movie really just kind of slipped under the radar. I’d heard nothing about it until recently, and it’s being buried on this random release date when people are more interested in seeing chick flicks due to the upcoming Valentine’s Day.

RYAN: It’s a pretty formulaic movie. Cosmo saw it with me. What did you think?

COSMO: It’s a good movie to take the kids to see, and I suppose parents might enjoy it too. I didn’t hate it, but it’s not nearly as good as the Blake Edwards slapstick from the original.

CAROLINE: Sounds like a very family-oriented flick. I’m not interested.

— BOTTOM LINE —

RYAN: It’s a cute, simple film. You don’t have to avoid it, but I wouldn’t rush out to spend $12 on it either. Catch it on cable or watch it on the plane and you’ll be fine, but I wouldn’t even say you have to rent it.

— RATING —