Unlike the two films before it, this film has something really special going for it...star Roberto Benigni. Rather than walking through his scenes like Sellers was apt to do when provided with less than challenging material, Benigni is overflowing with comic energy regardless of the drawbacks of the script. He dominates every scene he appears in...even when he doesn't have any lines he's always doing little bits of comic business that capture the viewers attention. When he's not onscreen the movie flatlines and doesn't come alive again until he reappears.

Another thing this film has going for it is the entertaining opening credits sequence featuring the Pink Panther and Jacques Clouseau Jr.-in animated form-interacting with Bobby McFerrin and his fellow singers performing a terrific acapella rendition of The Pink Panther Theme. The animation is far superior to anything seen since Richard Williams work on The Pink Panther Strikes Again and is reminiscent of Who Framed Roger Rabbit. It's a short sequence, but gets the movie off to a promising start.

However, the movie falters badly around the halfway mark when director Blake Edwards decides to once again incorporate supporting characters from previous films (he tried to prop up the previous two films by doing exactly the same thing, with dire results). Rather than introduce a new lead comic character and move forward, Clouseau Jr. is weighed down by the pointless reintroduction of characters from the Peter Sellers movies. The film stops dead in its tracks when Benigni visits costumer Auguste Balls (played by Graham Stark and not Harvey Korman, as in 'Trail') and meets Kato who joins Clouseau Jr. on his case. Herbert Lom also appears as Dreyfuss, but Lom is much more subdued in this film. The eye-twitching is still there, but he's no longer the gibbering headcase of the Sellers Clouseau films. He's the one returning element that works.

Forget about plot or story (I did!) as the only reason to see this film is for Benigni's wonderful performance. With a stronger script and less reliance on characters from the preceeding films, this film could have launched a new revitalised Pink Panther film series. Unfortunately Blake Edwards found it impossible to let go of the past, and the film became nothing more than an interesting curio as a result.

Benigni could truley be Sellers' child (Rating: 4.00)
Review : Despite the bad reviews this movie received, I rather liked it. Benigni was very convincing in his role as the Great Detective's illigitimate son, right down to stumbling around like an idiot, looking for a "cleau", being an officer of the "leau" and the giving and receiving of "bimps".

ill-legitimate attempt at continuing the Panther dynasty (Rating: 1.00)
Review : Oh dear. The "ill-legitimate" son of Panther. Positively ill-making, desperately forced attempts at humor. A confused plot. Broad pratfalls and grimacing. If you liked the silly subtlety of Peter Sellars, you will be horrified by this ill-advised attempt at cashing in on his legacy. If you want a good giggle to lighten your day or evening, try "The Imposters", instead.

A bad movie. (Rating: 2.00)
Review : Do you want to watch a bad movie? Here it is! Despite of the title, the director and the casting, the result is poor. The exception is Roberto Benigni, of course, whose effort gives the small amount of comic wit you can enjoy in watching the movie; this is why I rated the second star. Apart from his comic scenes, the movie lacks continuity of action and even misses to end some side plots, making you wonder if it will ever have a sequel, or if the director himself pitifully stopped the movie, just to avoid to bore the audience. If you like Peter Sellers, don't watch this movie: you will miss him. If you like Roberto Benigni, use your scissors and keep just his best performances.

The End Of The Line For Blake Edwards (Rating: 1.00)
Review : This is the movie that proves the genius behind the Pink Panther movies wasn't Blake Edwards, but Peter Sellers who unfortunately, is long gone when this one is made. In my fifty years of enjoying movies, I've only actually walked out of the theater before the end three times. This is one of the movies. Roberto Benigni is horrible. Admittedly, I don't find him funny at all. I have seen about six of his films and each time I fail to find anything funny about this guy. This movie will test even the true Benigni fan, however. I can't remember one funny moment (in the hour I stayed). I was so disappointed being such a fan of Peter Sellers and hoping that Edwards hadn't totally forgotten how to be funny. If I could have given this zero stars, I would have. This is one of the few things I will change if I ever get a time machine. Debbie Boone, Celine Dion, and Roberto Benigni better hope that never happens.