Rating: 
Summary: Absolutely Hilarious!
Review: This is the first movie in The Austin Powers series and I think it is absolutely hilarious. Mike Myers is a riot as swinging 60's British spy Austin Powers brought out from a cryogenic chamber in 1997 where he has been since about 1967 or 1968. He has been thawed out because he has to foil the sinister plans of his extremely eccentric archenemy Dr. Evil also played by Mike Myers. There is an excellent cast in this movie, not just Mike Myers but also Seth Green as Dr. Evil's son Scott, Michael York as Basil Exposition, Elizabeth Hurley as Vanessa Kenzington, and also Robert Wagner as Number Two. There are a lot of funny jokes and gags in this movie that just may have you rolling on the floor with laughter and I highly recommend this DVD to people who love to have a good laugh and don't mind that there are a couple of raunchy jokes and gags. The DVD has some great extra features including deleted scenes!
Rating:
Summary: A groovy comedy baby, it's shagadelic!
Review: Okay baby, it's the swinging 60's, and Austin Powers, sexy swinger and the one and only international man of mystery is fighting crime and corruption as always. He is yet again pitted against his arch enemy "Dr. Evil". Unfortunately, the Dr. gets away into outer space where he is cryogenically frozen, so he can come back and reek havoc upon the world at a later date.Being the dedicated secret agent that he is, Austin volenteers to also be frozen and to be thawed when the mischevous Doctor Evil returns to Earth. The time comes when Austin is needed again, when a giant 'BIG BOY' is spotted re entering the Earths atmosphere. He is thawed out and is briefed on his mission to save the Earth from Dr. Evil, who has aquired a nuclear weapon that he is using to hode the world to ransom. Following his hilarious re animation process, Austin has to learn to adjust to the world as it is now, in the '90's. A string of cameos, and a great role played by Liz Hurley as Austins partner, Ms. Kensington leaves the viewer eagerly awaiting the sequel, The Spy Who Shagged Me. If it is anywhere near as funny as this movie, it is guarenteed to have you on the floor- With laughter baby!!!! Oh behave!!!
Rating:
Summary: An instant comedy classic
Review: INTRODUCTION:
In 1997, Austin Powers - International Man Of Mystery got its theatrical release. This was an interesting film in that it spoofed the genre of spy movies (James Bond films in particular) - something we don't see enough of - at least in my opinion. Does this movie live up to the hype, or is it just overrated? Read on for my review. BASIC PLOT:
The year is 1967. Austin Powers, a secret agent for the British Ministry of Defense, is out to stop an evil-doer who is, appropriately enough, named Dr. Evil (Mike Myers plays both hero and villain.) During one of Austin's attempts to stop Dr. Evil, Dr. Evil cryogenically freezes himself. Austin volunteers to have himself frozen in case Dr. Evil should ever return, and he returns in 1997. Austin is unfrozen so that he may hunt down his arch-nemesis. Now he must face two challenges - bringing Dr. Evil to justice, and adjusting to a radically different time period. FILM OPINIONS:
This movie is an instant comedy classic, undoubtedly worthy of its lofty reputation. And it's WAY better than the other two Austin Powers films. Mike Myers does an excellent job playing both hero and villain. Seth Green, though his role (as Dr. Evil's son) is limited, also does a good job. A better spy spoof film doesn't exist. Some of the material in this film directly rips off James Bond, but this only adds to the comedy value (for example, Dr. Evil looks just like Blofeld, and even has a cat like Blofeld does, and Random Task is an Oddjob rip-off, right down to the name and appearance.) DVD:
The DVD has a few more extras than the old VHS tape had, but it still doesn't have anything too special. The deleted scenes from the VHS version are here. Unfortunately, the picture quality of these is horrible, as other reviewers have stated. Likewise, they contribute NOTHING to the story, and I am glad they were cut from the final version of the film. The commentary track, as other reviews have stated, is nothing special at all. The commentary for the other two films is WAY better. The other extras present here are mostly just little things that aren't too special at all. If you've got the old VHS tape edition, don't waste money buying the DVD version - you're not missing much by not owning the DVD. OVERALL:
Overall this was an excellent film, and it was a decent DVD release (the other two films got MUCH better DVDs.) If you want to laugh, you MUST check out the Austin Powers series. I doubt you'll be disappointed.
Rating: 
Summary: If you are shallow and mindless, you will enjoy this movie.
Review: It is 2004 and even today there are movies like this that protray women as being mindless sex objects which is disgusting. The plot is inane. I can see how this movie will be appealing to [...] teenagers and depraved adults.
Rating:
Summary: This Is My Kind Of Happeing And It Freaks Me Out
Review: That's a qoute from Mike Myers in Ausitn Powers: International Man Of Mystery. I must say it's the funniest most clever comedy I've ever seen. Much better than Casino Royale. Myers plays the swinging secret agent of the 60's Austin Powers who is a groovy sexy fashion photographer by night and international man of mystery by night. He after his arch nemisis Dr. Evil also played by Myers, an uptight square out to take over the world. Dr. Evil freeze himself up in outerspace in 1967. Austin offers to freeze himself in case Dr. Evil ever returns. Thirty years later, in 1997 Dr. Evil was back and they must get Ausitn unfreeze Austin so he can stop Dr. Evil's sinister plan of world domination. Incredibly funny flick, even funnier if you've seen the James Bond series. Myers duo roles are both hilarious in their own way. The Movie also stars Elizabeth Hurley, Robert Wagner, Mimi Rogers and Carrie Fisher. Austin Powers is a must see for all ages. It's shagnificent baby, yeah!
Rating: 
Summary: Groovy Baby!!
Review: I have to laugh my head off when I read negative reviews from people who say the movie is stupid. Gee, you think?. It is supposed to be. Some people, like the one star review below, were completely lost on the joke. Over their heads. So many don't understand comedy like that. Mike Meyers created one of the funniest and most memorable comedic characters of the last decade with this hilarious and silly and over the top comedy spoofing the James Bond series. Auatin Powers is a British spy with horrible teeth and a raging libido. Austin's main arch nemesis is Dr. Evil(also played by Meyers), who, with his bald head and cat and manner of speech is an obvious spoof of recurring 007 villain Ernst Stavro Blofeld. Evil freezes himself and programs the cryogenic chamber to unthaw him in the late 1990's. Austin decides he will do the same thing so he can be there to stop Dr. Evil with his dastardly scheme for global domination. Did I mention that Austin was also a photographer by day?. The guy just never stops. There are rumors that Meyers also fashioned the Dr. Evil character after his old boss, "SNL" maestro Lorne Michaels. Seth Green(who seems to pop up all the time)is hilarious as Scott Evil, Dr. Evil's angst ridden teen son. There scenes together are priceless. Equally as good is Mindy Sterling as Evil's assistant. Robert Wagner(does this guy age?)plays Number 2, another henchman. "SNL"'s Will Ferrell pops up as well. The 'girl' is none other than the lovely and beautiful Elizabeth Hurley, as Vanessa Kensington. A most perfect choice in the casting department if you know what I mean and I think you do. This movie is written, designed, filmed, and acted with the intention of just having a good time. This isn't comedy that'll make you think days afterwards. This is pure popcorn cotton candy people. Meyers is a master at different characters. He really brings them to life with their very own characteristics and mannerisms. He is brilliantly talented. The movie has many laugh out loud moments that make this movie the best spoof in many a moon. Again, the humorless droids who ridicule it as stupid have obviously missed the point. Of course it is. You may think your bashing it, but your basically saying that it did what it was supposed to do and it succeeded. Totally lost on those people. "The Spy Who Shagged Me" was even better, and now "Goldmember" is coming up. Let's hope that Austin and Dr. Evil have more adventures down the road. Oh behave!!.
Rating: 
Summary: The Spy Who Came From The 60's
Review: Mike Myers who plays Austin Powers the groovy spy is called out of the ice he was frozen in to once again battle Dr. Evil (Also played by Myers) but this time in the 90's. Austin was frozen because Dr. Evil escaped in the 60's and froze himself to come back another time so Austin did the same. After Austin is unfrozen they put him through a cleansing process, this process doesn't get funny until he reaches the so-called "evacuation stage" of the process. Some of the minor laughs placed through out the movie is watching Austin getting use to the 90's since he hasn't been out for about two and a half decades. One of these minor laughs is seeing Austin trying to play a CD on an old record player. Austin is assigned to stop Dr. Evil who plans to blow up the world by sending a nuclear bomb to the earth's core unless he gets 1 billion dollars. Austin receives his briefing from Basil Exposition (Michael York) and is partnered up with Mrs. Kensington's daughter, Vanessa Kensington (Elizabeth Hurley). Austin will travel to places such as Las Vegas and, um. Well it looks like that's the only place he goes to, there Austin will meet people like Dr. Evil's henchman, Number 2 (Robert Wagner) and Alotta, you know the rest. Tom Arnold has a small cameo as a cowboy, some may find this scene funny others might find it dumb. Carrie Fisher also has a cameo appearance as the father and son psychologist, which Dr. Evil and his son Scott go to so they can try and work out their problems. If you stay tuned after the credits you will see some scenes about minor people from the movie or alternate endings. The sequel to this one Austin Powers 2 The Spy Who Shagged Me is better.
Rating:
Summary: Allow myself to introduce... myself...
Review: Utterly ridiculous. I love it. While The Spy Who Shagged Me is probably a better movie, this is essential, being the one that put Austin on the map... baby. Austin's Unbridalled Sixties Male is just a feast for the eyes and ears in this age of political correctness and wimpy New Age Men. When the unfreezing process affects his 'inner monologue' he finds himself speaking his thoughts aloud as Elizabeth Hurley (as Vanessa) first blows his mind with her stunning physical appearance. "Vanessa's got a fabulous body... I'll bet she shags like a minx..." Great Bond spoofs and a superb cast enable the genius of Mike Myers to shine like never before, in this non-stop laugh extravaganza and unashamed BabeFest. There's even a tip of the hat to classic sixties leather-clad Warrior Women such a Diana Rigg, via Mimi Rodgers' performance as Vanessa's mother, Mrs. Kensington (instead of Mrs. Peel). If I'm not mistaken, the divine Liz Hurley is carrying a 44 Magnum Autoloader - a huge handgun, normally associated with the likes of Clint Eastwood. A joyous romp.
Rating:
Summary: Hilarious, influential movie gains little from DVD
Review: I should note here that people who have not read many of my reviews might be insulted at the rating. I never give a DVD release of an outstanding movie more than three stars unless buying the DVD gets you significantly more than just seeing the matinee. In other words, the special features are worth two stars. "Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery" catapulted Mike Myers onto the Hollywood A-list from the "former Saturday Night Liver trying to make it" list. Taking a broadside at James Bond lore and adding Myers own inherent goofiness along with a tragic period in fashion history gives Austin Powers, a British secret agent/fashion photographer/music star. Unlike James Bond, Austin is extremely goofy, bespectacled, possessed of wretched teeth, and bad at any game. Of course, he still gets the girl. His nemesis: the frequently funnier Dr. Evil, an obvious copy of Bond villain Blofeld. Dr. Evil's marginal competence provides an ongoing source of laughs. The plot (as it were) centers around a bit of cryogenic time travel so that Austin is displaced out of his time, providing a (pleasantly) surprisingly small number of fish-out-of-water gags. The movie's real drive comes from the unique cast of secondary characters: Seth Green's Scott Evil, Mindy Sterling's Frau Farbissiner, Robert Wagner's Number Two, and the unforgettable Alotta Fagina (figure out who THAT is a parody of). Elizabeth Hurley is also in the movie, and seems to be a pretty good sport. While this movie would ultimately be outshone by its first sequel, it remains an influential and often-referenced work. The DVD is a mediocre package. The commentary track is a dead air-rich bore, (I think Mike Myers and Jay Roach were new at this gig. The track on the sequel is much better) and the deleted scenes are better than average, which is to say mediocre. Most deleted scenes should stay so. Additionally, the transfer quality on these scenes is terrible.
Rating:
Summary: A series that just gets funnier!
Review: My favourite few lines just have to be:
"Oh, thats just you in a nutshell Austin!"
"No, this is me in a nutshell, HELP! HELP! I'm in a nutshell!"
That is just a classic cinema line!
Anyway, to sum up: Great film, great cast, great one-liners, see it...and then see the other two!
|
