THE PINK PANTHER 2 — ★1/2 — Steve Martin, Jean Reno, Emily Mortimer; rated PG (violence, vulgarity, profanity, slurs, nude artwork); in general release

"The Pink Panther 2" claims to be "based on" the caper comedy movie series that was directed by Blake Edwards — most of which starred Peter Sellers.

You can see how that might be true … to an extent. This comedy sequel tries to re-create some of the more memorable bits from those earlier films, in particular, the sillier, more slapstick-style scenes.

Unfortunately, the ones here are done without any real wit and without the skills of a director who knows how to stage such things to maximize the comic effect.

And what's really sad about this sequel is that its talented star, Steve Martin, took an even-more-active role in its development.

He's credited as one of the co-writers and reprises his role as bungling French police Inspector Jacques Clouseau, who's just experienced a career triumph (having both successfully captured a jewel thief and solved a murder).

But his jealous superior officer, Chief Inspector Dreyfus (John Cleese, taking over for Kevin Kline), has assigned Clouseau to routine traffic detail.

However, Dreyfus is forced to reinstate Clouseau when a French treasure, the so-called "Pink Panther" diamond, is again stolen.

Clouseau is also asked to join a supposed "dream team" of expert international investigators (including Andy Garcia and Alfred Molina), who believe the crime was the work of an elusive thief calling himself the Tornado.

Among the film's many problems is that it can't decide whether it wants to be a caper spoof or a romantic comedy. A major subplot involves Clouseau's clumsy romance with his female assistant, Nicole (Emily Mortimer).

To be honest, it's about the only thing with any appeal — thanks to Mortimer's sweet-natured performance.

As for Martin, he's never been less funny than he is here. So it's small wonder that Cleese looks even more disgusted than Kline did when he was playing the role.

(And what were people like Garcia, Molina, Jeremy Irons and Lily Tomlin thinking when they signed on for this nonsense?)

"The Pink Panther 2" is rated PG and features scenes of comic violence (pratfalls, as well as gunplay, and vehicular and fiery mayhem), suggestive references and humor (including innuendo), scattered profanity, derogatory language and slurs (some based on racial heritage), and glimpses of nude art statues and paintings. Running time: 92 minutes.

E-mail: jeff@desnews.com