It's a spy movie, an action movie, a fighting movie, a romantic movie, a retro movie and a psychedelic, shagadelic thrill ride. You'd probably have to sit and watch it a fair few times, scrupulously taking notes, in order to compile a list of everything this movie makes a mockery of, and everything it is; but you'd feel like you'd accomplished something afterwards. Although maybe that something will be losing the ability to walk from laughing so bloody hard at all those gags that never get old, so maybe it's not a wise idea. But from a dental floss imitation of Indiana Jones; to a reference to Empire Strikes Back; to the overall James Bond type theme, it's very appreciative of other movies, whilst at the same time being something new.
This movie is funny from start to finish - even the bits where it's touching on the more delicate side of the story (and these segments are few and far between - you could argue if at all), it's done in such a way that you can't help but chuckle. However despite this fact, there were only a few moments that made me genuinely explode with laughter. One of which was my particular favourite, the toilet scene with the Texan and the Irish assassin. Pure unadulterated brilliance. This is the only one that immediately springs to mind, however in my opinion it's good enough to be like a stand-alone review for the film. Watch this scene and it'll give you an overall impression of the entire movie. Which you know may not be your cup of tea, and if it isn't (or you don't at the very least giggle a little bit) I can't really recommend this movie to you. Also you may want to consider whether or not you have a sense of humour, and if you do, just how dry it is. Yet we're straying from the point, and the point is that the gags are excellent. Some of them I'm not sure whether this movie invented, or whether they're cliched and Austin Powers has just put its own spin on it (I'm new to a lot of movies, especially the older ones, and to the magical land of film critics, but nonetheless, it's bound to have you in stitches. One thing about some of the gags though is that they could have gone in a completely different direction. Basically the whole film would've fallen apart. If it wasn't executed properly, it could have all seemed crass, and a contrived, failed attempt at glorifying toilet meets slightly more adult humour. However it didn't turn out like that, because it was all acted out brilliantly, nay, groovily.
Mike Myers is the star of the show, acting as Mr Austin 'Danger' Powers, and yes Swedish-Made Penis Enlargers are his bag... in the movie at least. Mike Myers will be more well known to kids, and probably adults who indulge in newer movies as Shrek in the Shrek quartet, or the Cat in the Hat in the 2003 film The Cat in the Hat, and thanks to the wonders of IMDB I can also tell you that he was in Inglorious Basterds which I have not yet seen, so how big/small a part he played is unknown to me. What didn't know though, until IMDB alerted me to the fact, was that Mike also played the part of arch-nemesis: Dr Evil. How I could have missed out on something like that I'm not entirely sure, but I did, which is shocking. The thing is that he acted it so well, that I was so busy laughing at his characters, that I didn't realise they were both him! And if I hadn't realised they were both him, I would've given props to 'the actor who played him', but the fact that they're both the same person actually highly increased my already large quota of respect for him.
Elizabeth Hurley's character (Vanessa Kensington) grows, from a sophisticated, no-nonsense kind of girl who doesn't understand Austin's 'sex appeal'... or his teeth; to a fun-loving yet still sophisticated femme fatale. It's fun watching the transformation, and how Austin eventually grows on her.
The other characters are all spectacular too, Michael York is hilariously posh; Mimi Rogers (however brief her appearance), was a key influence on the story; Robert Wagner, plays his part brilliantly, and his character is a good one; Seth Green is as funny as ever; Fabiana Udenio is the marvelous Alotta Fagina. I mean come on. Just read her name, and think about how this excellent movie could use it. Everybody contributes to make this film awesome. Heck, even Will Ferrell makes a cameo!
The soundtrack is particularly groovy! Some of the songs are hilarious, and it almost seems as though half of them were written specifically for the film (although most of them probably were, like I said I'm new to this stuff), and they always seem to add to the overall atmosphere, which makes you laugh even harder. They couldn't have picked a better soundtrack.
Overall this movie is excellent, and very, very funny to anyone (apart from the aforementioned people with seriously dry senses of humour) and it's perfect for an hour and a half of laughs. If you're in a serious mood, and want to watch something with a deep involving storyline, stay well away until another day; but if you just want a laugh, or cheering up, or your bored and need something amusing to happen, you could do far worse than popping this in.
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