Austin Powers International Man Of Mystery [M]

Austin Powers, International Man of Mystery, swinging bachelor, famous ladies’ man, and Britain’s number one spy is out to defeat his arch nemesis Dr. Evil. After thirty years of being cryogenically frozen, Dr. Evil has returned to take over the world. Now, thirty years after the swinging sixties, it’s up to Austin to defeat Dr Evil and save the world, but can he do it when he’s missed out on the last thirty years? 

Like Star Wars, The Lord of the Rings, or The Goonies, the Austin Powers movies have no expiration date. Filled to the brim with memorable characters and backed by an even more memorable script, years after watching the films you’ll find yourself quoting them in random conversation. No matter what type of comedy you like, Austin Powers will always make an impression. 

It’s London in the swinging sixties and one man is at the height of fame. He’s Austin Powers, International Man of Mystery. A swinging bachelor, famous ladies’ man, and Britain’s number one spy, Austin has it made. But every great secret agent has an archrival and Austin’s is a man by the name of Dr Evil, whose goal in life is to take over the world. After his attempt to assassinate Austin Powers is foiled by the man himself, Dr Evil has himself cryogenically frozen and escapes by orbiting the Earth for thirty years. Knowing that the world has not seen the last of Dr Evil, Austin volunteers to have himself cryogenically frozen so that when Dr Evil does return, Britain will be ready for him. Now, thirty years later, the two are at it again. Dr Evil has concocted a villainous scheme to achieve world domination and Austin is determined to stop hip. But can he do it when he’s missed out on the last thirty years? 

I think what makes Austin Powers such a brilliant movie is its use of physical and visual comedy. The bright colours and visually eccentric characters go hand in hand with the way certain lines are said to achieve a response from the audience. The subject matter of the humour is a little crude; sexual innuendos, toilet gags, and a couple of political jokes sneak in, but it’s the way that everything is said that makes it all so funny. 

The characters are a delightful mixed group of the strange and the sexy. You have Austin Powers with his velvet suits and bad teeth, then there’s Dr Evil with no hair, a droopy eye, and pouting lips, he’s really a big baby. There’s the sexy and too perfect Vanessa, the one-eyed number two man, and the fez-clad weapons designer. It’s a delightfully eccentric mix. 

Mike Myers plays the duel roles of Austin Powers and Dr Evil. What a comic genius! Between his constant exclamations of “does it make you horny?” and “oh behave baby” in a British accent and his “throw me a frickin’ bone here” in the whining voice of the villain, Mike does not miss a beat and seems to be able to turn anything into a sexual innuendo, it’s a gift really. 

Featuring Mindy Sterling, Elizabeth Hurley, Robert Wagner, Michael York, Seth Green and Will Ferrell, Austin Powers International Man of Mystery is a timeless comedy classic filled with action, romance, sexual innuendos, toilet humour, fantastic costumes, bright colours, and possibly the greatest villain in cinema history. It deserves a spot in any film buff’s collection because it’s a flick that you can always come back to and enjoy. Love it!