Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery
Mike Myers is well known for playing wild and audacious characters in film and television. He's most famous from his character Wayne on Wayne's World, but has also appeared in movies such as So I Married An Axe Murderer. He is also known for his multiple roles on the TV hit, "Saturday Night Live." He has shown much talent for making these characters come off the screen, but his characters always seem to have some awkwardness or strange quality to them.
In Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery, Myers plays his most memorable character since Wayne. Austin Powers is a groovy, yet grossly popular 60s icon. It's hard to look at Powers and see why women "dig" him so much, considering his crooked, yellow teeth, his T-shaped chest hair, and his bulging gut. It's quite a sight just to see Myers as this character, dressed in some of the coolest costumes I have seen since The Brady Bunch Movie. The beginning sequence in 1967 is a wonderfully colorful introduction to the characters in the film. I have always been fascinated with the 60s clothes, and watching this part was pure fun for me.
However, the movie doesn't last long in the past (which slows it down only slightly). After chasing down Dr. Evil (also played by Myers), Austin Powers tries to apprehend him. Dr. Evil has one last trick up his sleeve and gets into a cryogenic freezing compartment, and launches himself into space (along with his cat) to stay there for thirty years. Powers has no choice but to also freeze himself until Dr. Evil is brought back. The movie jumps thirty years in the future where Dr. Evil has now reappeared. Powers is also brought back to life, but he still lives in the era from which he was raised.
A movie like this is not necessarily what it is about, but how it is about what it is about. In more simpler terms, the plot is not necessary, but only to create a direction for the film to travel along. What the film truly is about is how it is made: with creativity and braveness. I say braveness because the filmmakers took many risks during the film, including many sexual innuendos and "close calls" (an example would be strategically placed items covering up exposed genitilia). However, the innuendos are some of the funniest moments in the film. I haven't laughed that hard for a long time, and it felt good. Unfortunately, I had the misfortune of having to go see it with my mom, who thought it would be a good natured comedy. I reminded her that it was about the 60s, but she insisted. Nevertheless, she hated it. I don't think she laughed once during the entire film.
But that's my mom. Austin Powers has to be one of the funniest films I have seen in a long time. The movie works only because of Myers. He plays the two best characters in the film: Powers and Dr. Evil. The main problem with the film is the lack of plot. The movie spoofs the old James Bond series, but it isn't able to hold itself together. Soon, it just becomes a messy slew of wild characters. Fortunately, that isn't a bad thing in this case. A plot would have just overshadowed the wacky performance by Myers which is the central purpose of the film. It almost seems that this movie would have been better off on SNL instead of on film, but it's still a hilarious two hours. If anything, go to watch Myers talk his way out of trying to get his "partner" to believe that the "Penis Enlarger" isn't his.
Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery is rated PG-13, although it sometimes pushes even that limit. There isn't much profanity, but the vulgarity is extreme. There is also some violence, and nudity (including one disgustingly funny moment involving a magnifying glass and Powers' lower region). While not for everyone, Austin Powers is sure to please most viewers who are open minded. The witty dialogue and hilarious antics of the entire cast (especially between Elizabeth Hurley and Myers) provides some of the funniest moments I have seen in the theater. "Yeah, baby!"