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Austin Powers: Mike Myers Vanessa Kensington: Elizabeth Hurley Dr. Evil: Mike Myers Basil Exposition: Michael York Mrs. Kensington: Mimi Rogers No. 2: Robert Wagner Directed by Jay Roach. Written by Mike Myers. Running time: 88 minutes. Rated PG-13 (for nudity, sex-related dialogue and humor). |
Before James Bond, Britain's top secret agent was Austin Danger Powers, International Man of Mystery. During the seventies, his popularity was widespread in England. Men wanted to be like him and women went crazy at just the sight of him. The women found him irresistible, easily rivaling the Beatles, as they run rampant on the streets of London just trying to catch him. This is quite apparent in the opening scenes of the movie, as women scream in delight at just the sight of him. It is an enigma to us, as Austin does not have good teeth nor a good physique. Our only conclusion is that his charm and allure was why they loved him back in those swinging times.
Like all top secret agents, what is he without a chief nemesis? Austin's main enemy is the vile and heinous, Dr. Evil. Please do not call him Mister, since he has gone through six years in evil medical school to earn that title. Dr. Evil's numerous attempts to rid himself of Austin Powers have always failed, so he decided to go about it in a different direction. With the help of a spaceship that is shaped like Bob's Big Boy, he orbited the Earth and cryogenically froze himself and his beloved feline, Mr. Bigglesworth, only to return "when free love no longer rained and greed and corruption ruled again." Dr. Evil returns in 1997, thirty years later only to find Austin waiting, who has also been frozen awaiting Dr. Evil's impending return.
This is the premise for Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery, where most of the jokes have meaning only if you are familiar with the James Bond movies and all the Bond clones. The movie's humor comes from both Austin Powers and Dr. Evil, who are people of the 1960s, trying to live in a world that is much different from theirs. How will they cope? The answer does not seem to be in their favor.
Austin Powers may have a problem with living in the 90's world, as the age of people having "promiscuous sex with many anonymous partners without protection" and "experimenting with mind-expanding drugs in a consequence free environment" has ended. Austin also has to cope with the fact that his seduction powers do not affect today's woman like Vanessa Kensington, played by the seductive and sexy Elizabeth Hurley. Vanessa is the daughter of his former partner Mrs. Kensington (Mimi Rogers), who has long since retired. His outdated swinging 70's lingo now makes him an old has been than the cool self he was revered for.
Dr. Evil is also facing the same problem. With a shiny bald head and a scar on his face, he is the epitome of a typical Bond villain, who disposes his pitiful underlings by pushing buttons that send them into an incinerator. While he may have been feared in the 70's, Dr. Evil pulls no weight now. During his frozen decades, his operation has turned into legitimate businesses, under the direction of No. 2 (Robert Wagner). The businesses are more profitable than the international blackmail that Dr. Evil has gotten use to. One of the scenes in the movie shows Dr. Evil suggesting a scheme for holding the world hostage that can only be paid off with a million-dollar ransom. The board members chuckle, as they explain how little a million dollars is worth these days. Dr. Evil also discovers the problems of being a single parent, as he finds out that he has a son, named Scott (Seth Green). Unfortunately, Scott resents his father for spending all his time in orbit, instead of being with him and performing his parenting duties. They are forced to resolve their problems at a 12-step meeting for dysfunctional families.
Eventually Dr. Evil does come up with an evil plan to hold the world hostage. Austin of course tries to thwart his plans, while Vanessa has to thwart Austin's plans with her, as she fends off Austin's feeble advances. The movie is filled with memorable moments. One of the movie's funniest scenes takes place with Austin frolicking nude in their hotel suite. Through elaborate choreography and object placement, Austin's private area is always covered from the camera's point of view. The scene reminds me of the old "Benny Hill" (an old British sketch comedy) episodes I use to watch when I was young.
Mike Myers does a superb job as he plays both Austin and Dr. Evil. Hurley is also superb, as she plays a low-key feminist, who cares more about her work than anything else. Michael York, who plays Basil Exposition, is good as the straight man in the movie. He spends most of his time keeping Austin up to date.
The movie, written by Myers and directed by Jay Roach, have made a movie filled with references to other movies; I recognized A Hard Day's Night and Dr. Strangelove in addition to all the Bond references. The Bond references are numerous, including a man reminiscent of Oddjob from Goldfinger, who throws a shoe instead of a hat. And for those who remember Pussy Galore will be amused by No 2's secretary, the sinister Alotta Fagina (Fabina Udenio).
Good comedies are hard to accomplish, as we see the same jokes being recycled over and over. Good parodies are even harder, as we have witnessed a drought since Naked Gun. Yet Austin Powers, seems to launch one joke after the other with relative ease. After a track record of failed movies from Saturday Night Live's Alumni, Myers pulls out a winner in this smart and hilarious comedy. Myers and Roach even include a surprise guest appearance from the great Burt Bacharach. The ending makes us believe that another adventure with our secret agent is possible. Like the James Bond films, I hope they turn Austin Powers into a franchise. Grade: B+
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