Retro Film Review: Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997)

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(source:tmdb.org)

Critics, filmgoers and film connoisseurs might argue about 1990s Hollywood films being worse than those made in previous decades. What shouldn't be the subject of debate are the cultural, demographic and technological changes that affected Hollywood in 1990s. One of the more noticeable changes is the increased importance of younger audiences - films that appeal to younger viewers tend to have much better box-office results than those oriented towards older people. One of the rare films that managed to defy this conventional wisdom of 1990s was Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery, 1997 comedy directed by Jay Roach. The film initially had successful, although not particularly spectacular, run in American cinemas only to become surprisingly big hit in video stores. This could be explained with the film's popularity among older people (which, among others, includes current US president George W. Bush who is reportedly great fan of the film series) who are more likely to watch movies at home than going to theatres.

The plot of the film begins in 1967 London. Austin Powers (played by Mike Myers), fashion photographer and one of the biggest stars of London's social scene, is actually British secret agent who, together with his partner Mrs. Kensington (played by Mimi Rogers), fights against dangerous megalomaniacs. The last of those evildoers to have his plans thwarted by Austin is Dr. Evil (played by Mike Myers). He is forced to go into Earth's orbit and freeze himself. Austin volunteers to freeze himself too, just in case Dr. Evil returns. This happens exactly thirty years later and unfrozen Austin Powers suddenly has to deal with the world so different from swinging 1960s. To help him adjust, his superiors assign Mrs. Kensington's daughter Vanessa (played by Elizabeth Hurley) for his partner. In the meantime, Dr. Evil also must face drastically changed world, including his rebellious son Scott (played by Seth Green).

The shortest way to describe Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery is "successful parody of James Bond films". But this is also the incorrect way. Mike Myers, who wrote the script, knew that James Bond films used to be parodied for a long time, even by some films in the same franchise. So Myers concentrated solely on those Bond films made in 1960s and broadened the scope of his interest to many other aspects of 1960s popular culture - films, TV shows, fashions and prevalent hedonistic attitudes. That explains why only the older audiences truly enjoyed this film - only they could understand some of the film's best jokes, based on classic 1960s Bond films. Myers takes great fun in putting some of classic Bond double entendres into the more modern context, thus giving them their proper meaning – for example, character named Alotta Fagina is obviously based on Pussy Galore from Goldfinger. Film also works as classic "fish out of water" comedy, with Myers developing not one but two anachronistic characters forced to find their place in the world that drastically changed. Some jokes in the film belong to the toilet humour category, and this was Myers' concession to the younger audiences that didn't care much about 1960s pop culture. However, despite some jokes not being that good, general quality of humour is very high and that explains why Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery is so entertaining film.

Myers, who had his reputation of talented comedian already established with Wayne's World, is simply brilliant in this film and plays two characters with great ease. His talent and charisma are such that he manages to overshadow everyone else and many actors who were supposed to be stars are reduced to mere cameos. Elizabeth Hurley, who was supposed to be this film's equivalent of Bond Girl, is very bland. Robert Wagner, who plays Dr. Evil's henchman, and Seth Green, who plays Dr. Evil's son, are, on the other hand, more effective and almost as funny as Myers. Film also benefits from the efforts of its production and costume designers – 1960s world, or, to be precise, ultra-campy vision of 1960s is recreated with great care for details and with delicate taste for outrageousness. Because of that, Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery is one of the most successful 1990s comedies and the film that transcended its time in more ways than one.

RATING: 7/10 (+++)

(Note: The text in its original form was posted in Usenet newsgroup rec.arts.films.reviews on July 1st 2004)

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2 comments
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@drax, In my opinion Old Comedy is more interesting than current ones. Stay blessed.

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Great post, Austin powers is the best. They should make another movie !!

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