Groovy Review Baby (Austin Powers - International Man Of Mystery (DVD))

Member Name: rachelkanga

Product:	Austin Powers - International Man Of Mystery (DVD)
Date:	21/02/05 (76 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good fun spoof

Disadvantages: Weak plot

I must confess to being a bit of an Austin Powers fan and do own all three of the movies on DvD. It is rare these days for a film that receives so much acclaim prior to release to actually live up to the hype surrounding it but I think Austin Powers actually does. Being a spoof of ever popular James Bond - the similarities to characters is uncanny and may turn some people off the film but the film is designed to be a comedy and some of the jokes are very near the mark - but necessary to the film.

~The Plot~

In the 1960’s the most successful British spy of all time Austin Powers a groovy secret agent, who dons velvet threads, horn-rimmed glasses and bad teeth, and drives around London in a brightly coloured sports car is placed into a cryogenic suspension in case a spy of his talent was ever needed again. His arch rival Dr. Evil had set traps to catch Powers unsuccessfully and decided that he would freeze himself, so Austin volunteered to be frozen in case Dr. Evil should ever show up again.

It is now 1997 and Dr. Evil has reappeared and is still as evil as he ever was, he steals a nuclear weapon and holds the world to ransom for $1million dollars - a large sum in 1969 but in 1997 it is not a great deal of money. With the help of his sidekick Number Two and Frau Farbissina, he discovers he has a son and begins to train him in all things evil. There is only one man who is going to be able to stop him Austin Powers.

Unfrozen, Austin finds the world is considerably different to how it was when he was frozen - gone is the age of wild unprotected sex and promiscuity to a time where such activity is simply deadly.

Sent by his boss Basil Exposition to track Dr. Evil down he partners the rather stiff Agent Vanessa Kensington daughter of his original partner and Austin set off for Vegas to look for Dr. Evil and save the world once more.

Austin: Only sailors use condoms.
Vanessa: Not in the nineties Austin!
Austin: They should the filthy buggers, they go from port to port

~The Cast~

Austin Powers / Dr. Evil - Mike Myers. Canadian born Myers not only starred in this film but wrote and produced it also. Famous for his role in Wayne’s World and stand up prior to release of this film has subsequently been the voice of Shrek. Myers scores most of the jokes with his portrayal as Dr. Evil - the grey suited cat carrying enemy - obviously a send up of Blofeld from the James Bond film You Only Live Twice.

Vanessa Kensington - Elizabeth Hurley. Hurley is most famous for that dress than her acting and for being the one time girlfriend of Hugh Grant. In this film she appears wooden and uncomfortable and does not really have any great lines so must have been there for her looks rather than ability.

Basil Exposition - Michael York. His first acting role was as Jolyon 'Jolly' Forsyte in the original TV series of The Forsyte Saga.

Mrs. Kensington - Mimi Rogers. Best known as the first wife of actor Tom Cruise although she has appeared in numerous films but usually only small parts.

Number Two - Robert Wagner. Appeared in many films including The Longest Day before being known for his part in Hart to Hart. He was married to actress Natalie Wood twice. The first time they divorced but were later reunited before Natalie died in a drowning accident in 1981. Wagner should be commended for his portrayal of the slightly frustrated 'having to explain simple 1990s techniques to his boss' Number Two.

Scott Evil - Seth Green. Seth has appeared in numerous films including Josie and the Pussycats and Rat Race. Any Buffy fans may also remember him as Oz. Fortunately for Seth he had some of the best lines in the film which can only enhance your performance.

Frau Farbissina - Mindy Sterling. Also appeared in How the Grinch Stole Christmas and Spiderman 2.

~Conclusion~
Although it is obvious that Myers is the star the cast is overall very solid and complement each other brilliantly. If you want an easy to watch comedy full from start to finish with one liners, slightly risky jokes and all round great fun then this would be ideal.

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