BrianKoller's Full Review: Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery
Jay Roach directed this silly spoof of mid-1960s pop culture, but co-producer/screenwriter/lead actor Mike Myers is clearly the man in charge. He plays the two key (and most outrageous) roles, and the loose, gag-ridden script seems patterned after his other great commercial success, "Wayne's World" from 1992.
I can't say that I 'got' all the 1960s references. From "Goldfinger" we have Alotta Fagina (aka P*ssy Galore) and Random Task (aka Oddjob). From "You Only Live Twice" there's Dr. Evil (aka Blofeld) and his cat. I'm sure there are others, but I haven't seen the Matt Helm films, and memories blur the escapist action spy movies together anyway.
The story begins in 1967. Austin Powers is a
goofy-looking ladies man and special agent,
chasing arch enemy and bad guy Dr. Evil. Both
roles are played by hammy Mike Myers. A plot
contrivance has both men cryogenetically frozen
until 1997. They discover that the world, and
culture, has changed; but they resume their old
rivalry and livestyles anyway. Myers is provided
with love interest Elizabeth Hurley, who is
disgusted with him at first but of course soon
comes around. Dr. Evil is introduced to his
estranged son Scotty (Seth Green) and inevitably
hatches a scheme that threatens to destroy the
world.
Like most screwball comedies with thin plots, the
humor is hit and miss. The best joke is a
reference to Lucky Charms cereal. Dr. Evil and
Scotty have some silly arguments that are funny
(the group therapy scene, and a disagreement on
the best method to kill Austin Powers).
But the gags can fall flat as well: Austin's
mincing funny faces, faux chest hair, and
references to his bad teeth. There is much
bathroom humor, which panders successfully to
teen demographics who haven't seen "Goldfinger".
One gag is especially flogged to death: Austin
and Hurley naked, with various inanimate objects
raised to substitute for body parts that would
not be shown on commercial TV.
Instead of seeing a mediocre satire about the
mid-60s, why not see a contemporary satire from
the mid-60s? "I Love You, Alice B. Toklas!" will
fit the bill nicely, and it stars Peter Sellers
instead of a lesser imitation. (41/100)
AUSTIN POWERS: INTERNATIONAL MAN OF MYSTERY is the first in the comic series starring this bodacious 1960s spy played by the hilarious Mike Myers. Dec...More at Family Video
Austin Powers is a mod, 1960's British secret agent andself-proclaimed ladies man. Along with fellow agent Ms.Kensington, he battles Dr. Evil, a man i...More at HotMovieSale.com
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