Wonder why Sellers/Edwards never made another Panther film in the 60's? They feuded and thought the idea was spent for a time. The Mirisch Co. thought there was another sequel ripe for making, but Sellers/Edwards came up with
The Party
which has to be one of the dullest, uninteresting bits of fluff ever produced. Even the Sellers touch is missing. It goes on and on and on. Never funny. Never remotely interesting. It's Peter in almost brownface doing a very stereotyped Indian voice, IN ONE REALLY DULL DINNER PARTY WHERE NOTHING HAPPENS EXCEPT SOME OCCASIONAL DUMB HIJINKS!!!
I would rather watch Casino Royale. 5 times in a row. At least that knows it is bad.
1/2 ball for somewhat trying out of 4 bad sitar themes.
Of course I decided to finally try that one-of 60's Panther film, the one made by the studio without Sellers/Edwards but with the writers of the 70's era sequels.
Inspector Clouseau
stars Alan Arkin who actually isn't a bad Jacques, but lacks the gravitas and inherent weakness of Peter. The film starts out messy but you are willing to forgive...until you realize that it really is that messy and only gets worse. Nothing can save this. It's beyond dull, becomes absolute tedium, the plot is only there to have more screentime, the direction is nonexistent.
Fun fact: Directed by the same Bud Yorkin of ruining Blade Runner fame.
Zero balls.
Speaking of classic sci-fi and remakes...they're remaking my LMS. Originally by James Cameron who did Avatar instead. 3D release planned soon for this.
Fantastic Voyage
I haven't seen this in years. One of the sci-fi classics I saw as a kid on late night cable many years ago. The effects still hold up for the most part, but what is more dating and cheesy are the silly surroundings of the Cold War infused sci-fi military operations that are absolutely ridiculous. Bad sets, bad operational ideas, I'm now wanting to read Asimov's novel because he refused to keep the script's story out of sheer silliness. It's a good idea and works well due to the almost real time pacing of that 60 minute clock, but overall lacks a big impact.
And seriously guys? You don't know who the saboteur is? Have you even looked at the freaking crew of five and SEN who is among them??? Helooooo!
2.5 balls out of 4 appropriately placed antibodies on clingy wetsuits...;)
But I have to say, I'm not a big fan of older sci-fi films because I wasn't ever heavy into the classic 50's period. That said, the 1951 original Day The Earth Stood Still is a bewilderingly powerful exception. That bowled me over, and 100% deserves its reputation.