Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery **** (1997, Mike Myers, Elizabeth Hurley, Michael York, Mimi Rogers, Robert Wagner, Seth Green) – Classic Movie Review 470

The hilarious 1997 comedy film Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery comes from Mike Myers, who as writer and star belatedly but brilliantly spoofs the Swinging Sixties, the James Bond films and other spy movies.

Director Jay Roach’s welcome, hilarious 1997 comedy film Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery comes from the funny one in Wayne’s World (1992), Mike Myers, who as writer and star belatedly but brilliantly spoofs the swinging sixties and the James Bond films and other spy movies.

Myers is brilliantly funny in his now classic comedy role as Austin Powers, swinger, fashion photographer by day and consummate gentleman spy by night, cryogenically frozen in 1967 and now defrosted to match wits with his arch nemesis Dr Evil.

Myers racks up the silly, smutty laughs in both roles, and the gorgeous Liz Hurley makes a perfect Bond girl, as Vanessa Kensington. Seth Green is another hit turn as Scott Evil, Dr Evil’s grungy teenage son. Myers is the clever sole writer of the screenplay, which may be hit and miss, but has more hits than misses in the gag department.

Michael York (as British spy boss Basil Exposition), Mimi Rogers (as Vanessa’s mum Mrs Kensington), Robert Wagner (as Dr Evil’s second in command Number Two), Fabiana Udenio (as Alotta Fagina, based on Pussy Galore of course), Paul Dillon (as Patty O’Brien), Charles Napier (as Commander Gilmour), Will Ferrell (as Mustafa), Monet Mazur (Mod Girl), Mark Bringelson (as Andy Warhol), Neil Mullarkey (Quartermaster Clerk) and Clint Howard (Radar Operator) also co-star and all significantly add to the fun.

Also in the cast are Elya Baskin, Daniel Weaver and Mark Bringelson.

Sequels: Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (aka Austin Powers 2) in 1999 and Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002).

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