Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999)
Director: Jay Roach Cast: Mike Myers, Heather Graham, Michael York, Robert Wagner, Seth Green, Mindy Sterling, Verne Troyer, Kristen Johnston, Rob Lowe Screenplay: Michael McCullers, Mike Myers Producers: John S. Lyons, Demi Moore, Mike Myers, Jennifer Todd, Suzanne Todd Runtime: 95 min. US Distribution: New Line Cinema Rated PG-13: sexual innuendo, crude humor
Copyright 1999 Nathaniel R. Atcheson
I am a fan of the original Austin Powers, and I'm also a fan of Mike Myers. I don't know much about him, but he seems like a really down-to-earth guy, one of those comedians who doesn't find it necessary to make a fool of himself every time he appears before a live studio audience. I'm glad to see that he's finally found his crowd-pleasing niche; though most of his films have found their audiences on video, Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me is likely to be the first massive box office success of Myers' career (with the exception of Wayne's World, which doesn't count for various reasons).
I liked AP2, but not as much as I liked the original. My reasons for this should not come as a surprise: too many elements are rehashed or expanded from the first film, there are sizeable gaps in the laugh-flow, and there is way too much toilet humor. The story is goofy and dopey enough to carry itself through the slow sections, and so I never found myself completely bored. There are also some brilliant casting choices, a few truly hilarious subplots, and the gleeful use of sexual vulgarity and phallic symbols. I recommend the film, but I miss the excrement-free environment and hokey originality of the first movie.
However, I think I like the story behind this one better. It has a kind of insane genius about it that makes it entertaining even when there aren't many laughs. Myers also does the right thing by giving Dr. Evil what seems like more screen time than Austin himself. (That also makes me wonder if the series shouldn't be named after the villain.) The basic structure revolves around Dr. Evil -- he goes back in time to steal Austin's mojo. After drinking the mojo, Dr. Evil becomes much more hip, and even has a one night stand with Frau Farbissina (Mindy Sterling). Austin, meanwhile, works to recover his mojo with the help of Felicity Shagwell (the luminous Heather Graham, looking happy to be in an Austin Powers movie). Little does he know that Dr. Evil has new evil cohorts: Fat Bastard (an unrecognizable Myers in an enormous prosthetic suit), and Mini-Me (Verne Troyer), a robot version of Dr. Evil, one-eighth his size.
AP2 is a rare example of a comedy that uses subplots in the right way. Just before things get dull, the scene switches to any one of the three or four subplots, and audience interest in the film is held through the end. The best subplot is certainly the relationship between Dr. Evil and Mini-Me; Troyer is absolutely wonderful as the mute little monster, and Dr. Evil's love for his diminutive pet is actually kind of touching in a sarcastic sort of way. This also adds a new dimension to Dr. Evil's biological son, Scott Evil (Seth Green). Green is a very funny young actor, and the rivalry between him and Mini-Me is quite effective. Mindy Sterling, reprising her role from the first film as the crazy German lady, thankfully is given more screen time here. And Rob Lowe does a perfect imitation of Robert Wager, playing the young version of Number Two.
There's no doubt that AP2 shines in several scenes with inspired brilliance. The two best sequences really can't be described in words, but those who have seen the film will remember the way various people all over the world describe Dr. Evil's phallic space ship as it blasts off. And Myers' love for these characters and this series keeps the film from ever feeling perfunctory or dull. But some scenes go way too far: everything with Fat Bastard, for instance, is not funny, and simply disgusting (laughing and cringing are two separate reactions altogether).
I had the distinct sense of deja vu all through AP2, as if Myers had been afraid to explore new territory. I can't say I blame him; it would have been a mistake to seriously change the look and feel of this sequel. But it lacks the discovery and newness of the first film, and so it comes off almost as outtakes from the original, rather than a new movie altogether. Don't get me wrong: Myers has made a funny picture. And, seeing as how a third installment in this series is inevitable, I have high hopes that Myers will find an all new angle on his series and exploit it into oblivion.
Psychosis Rating: 6/10
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Nathaniel R. Atcheson
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