Pink Panther 2

Inspector Clouseau is back. When legendary treasures from around the world are stolen, including the priceless Pink Panther diamond, Clousea is assigned to the dream team of international detectives who are under pressure to bring the master thief to justice before he strikes again.

Starring: Steve Martin, Jean Reno, Emily Mortimer, Jeremy Irons, Alfred Molina, Andy Garcia, Lily Tomlin and John Cleese etc.

Rating: PG

If you have seen the first one and you liked it, then this movie is sure to please. Steve Martin is back as the lovable bumbling Clouseau and I have to admit I couldn't imagine any other actor playing this part half so well as he does.

Again, this is one of those movies that you have to be in the mood for. It's silly, it's light hearted, it's fun. It took me a little while to warm up to it but when I put aside my more analytical side and just enjoyed it for what it was, I had a few laughs.

There are some sexual references in this movie. Apparently at the beginning of the film there is a painting of a fully nude male. I missed this so was not aware until I looked it up that this was in the film. Clouseau calls women sexy a few times and becomes aroused by a description of a woman's clothes being ripped off because of clumsiness. This is part of a whole side plot that Clouseau apparently says things that are not politically correct and he must speak to a consellor about what is and is not appropriate. This is how the whole description scene comes up. I don't get why they had to add this side plot into the film. Now I am not a die hard Pink Panther friend but I have seen the movies before and I don't recall that this was a character flaw of Clouseau. In one scene he calls a fellow dectective who is Japanese "my little yellow friend". They all roll their eyes but no one says anything to him about it. Really, why is this in this film? It does not fit the film in my opinion.

As for violence, there are several scenes of intense action. A SWAT team storms into Dreyfus' office a few times, a restaurant is set on fire twice, a gun is shot several times, no one is hit, a corpse is seen on a crime scene, no blood though.

Profanity: mild terms like ass and damn are said.

Again, stick with the rating guide. I would not suggest letting young children watch this film. Not only is the story line not entertaining enough to hold their interest but the actions scenes are just that much too intense to let them watch it.

Movie Mamma

Barbie Diamond Castle

Barbie and Teresa tells us the storey of Alexa and Liana, best friends who share everything including their love of music. One day their lives change when they are given an enchanted mirror and befriend the girl trapped inside. It is up to Alexa and Liana to help their new friend and embark on a dangerous journey to the hidden Diamond Castle. This puts their friendship to the test but through the power of song and the companionship of two adorable puppies, the girls face their challenges together and learn the true value of friendship.

Starring the voice talents of Kelly Sheridan, Melissa Lyons, Cassidy Ladden, Chantal Strand, Maryke Hendrickse and Lara Janine and featuring Katherine McPhee singing Connected. (to name just a few) Rated: G

My daughters were absolutely delighted with this movie. Even my 18 month old son found plenty to interest him with the bright colours and catchy music. Of course, I think what he really loved about the movie was the flying dragon. My youngest daughter (3) asks for this movie at least once a day.

I have to admit that this was a delightful movie. The story was well done and it managed to keep all of us interested throughout the entire movie. I have to really say this is a good gauge to me as to how entertaining this movie is... if my kids sit through it then it MUST be entertaining.

The bonus features include a music video with Katherine McPhee singing the Connected song. Warning... this song will begin to drive you crazy. It's lovely but it's catchy, a little too catch. I work in my video store evenings and we play one of those DVD loops promoting the latest movies and boy I think I heard that song waaaaaaaaaaay too much.

This movie does follow along the typical Mattel format in that there is someone evil trying to take over the world to make everyone miserable without really explaining why. Usually this person possesses some kind of magic which they use against the heroines.

In this case Lydia, a muse, decides she doesn't want to be a good muse anymore and wants to have all the power so she turns against her fellow muses, turns them into stone by a magic recorder and sets off the storyline. What isn't told is why Lydia decides to turn to evil or what has given her this thirsty lust for power.

So it does make it difficult answering my daughter's questions on the who what why and where of it but then on the other hand I don't want to get into big heavy discussions every time we watch a movie either.

So if you have any issues with witchcraft, I would not suggest this movie to you. It is by far one of the more milder magic movies of Barbie's to date but if you have concerns regarding that then this movie is not for your family.

As well there are some action fighting scenes, the dragon burns down their house and Lydia does attempt to do away with the girls multiple times through out the film. Most of it was pretty mild and subtle enough to go over the children's heads. They found the movie suspenseful but not to the point where they were hiding behind a cushion. Of course, the introduction of the darling puppies helps to keep most scenes on the light side.

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Up next: Kung Fu Panda


Cheers,

Zeemaid