Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997)
Grade: 41
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 Pussy 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.
kollers@mpsi.net http://members.tripod.com/~Brian_Koller/movies.html
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