Three Austin Powers films. Sexy Bond spoofs & psychedelic swinging 60s London. Strong first halfs for the first two films. Goldmember is a turkey.
In these 3 films, made late 90s-early 00s, Myers recreates the late 60s-early 70s. All the films have a psychedelic, early disco look, with scantily clad dancing girls. Many period stars are brought back, including Robert Wagner, Michael York, and Michael Caine. Each film also spoofs Bond films, especially Connery's. Austin Powers (Myers) is a louche English spy, dressed for the court of Louis XV. He fights the global extortion plans of Dr Evil (also Myers), who combines Pleasence's scar and cat (Russia w Love) with Dr No's Chinese tunic. I guess that, these days, even an ironic take on the casual sexism and homophobia of the period is considered beyond the pale.
The fresh impact of the recreation of singing 60s London in the first film knocks the audience off their feet for the first 40 minutes. The second half is then a bit of a let down, with jokes about Liz Hurley's ample cleavage, and an intentionally silly escape climax, spoofing Bond again.
The overall look is retained in the 2nd film, which is also pepped up by the beautiful and knowing Graham, as an American spy working with Powers. She helps to make the opening `fun' period last 50 minutes. This time, there's a time-travel plot and Myers gets a 3rd part as the distasteful `Fat Bastard'. The climax is a little better this time, though the time-travel stuff gets a bit too silly.
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Goldmember is a certified turkey. The producers must have realised the film couldn't stand on its own, so they put in an exciting opening sequence, with Cruise, Paltrow, Spacey, & Spielberg. However, this ends the `fun' part of the film. There are also several music video sequences, perhaps hoping for a spin-off hit. Beyonce, elegant and moving superlatively, is a spy, harking back to Pam Grier in 1975. However, her acting is very patchy. There is some homophobia, as Goldmember (Myers again) is continually teased about his predelictions. Overall, quite painful to watch.Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
