AUSTIN POWERS: INTERNATIONAL MAN OF MYSTERY
A film review by Rodney Mayton
Copyright 1997 Rodney Mayton
A film by Mike Myers 1997, 87min. Rated PG
** out of five
"Shagadellic!", "Groovy, Baby!" "Smashing!" adorn the 1/4 page ad for this movie tabbed as "the #1 comedy in America" as of May 8th. Did we attend the same movie?! At 87 minutes it seemed overlong, like a SNL skit on steroids, and at any length it seemed unfunny. Yes, the sets and costumes were an interesting exaggeration of 60s Pop frills, and yes, the concept, dealing with a 60s secret agent/pop icon (played by Myers) awakened from his cryogenic slumber to battle his arch enemy (Dr. Evil, also played by Myers) in the present day, had a great deal of potential. Fun costumes and scenery and potential do not a movie make so lets throw in a hefty dose of bathroom humor. Don't get me wrong, I like a good "bubbles in the bathtub joke" as much as the next person, but to have this type of humor be the funniest thing about your movie is a waste of yuor talent and my money. But, the way things work these days in the movie business, all a film has to do is call itself the funniest and people will believe it. I do give this film 2 out of 5 stars because of the sets, costumes, and sadly, unmet potential.
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