Austin Powers in Goldmember
Starring: Mike Myers, Beyonce Knowles, Seth Green, Michael Caine, Fred Savage, Rob Lowe, Gwyneth Paltrow (cameo), Tom Cruise (cameo), Kevin Spacey (cameo), Danny DeVito (cameo), Steven Spielberg (cameo), Britney Spears (cameo), John Travolta (cameo)
Directed by: Jay Roach
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Comedy, Spy
Box Office: $213,307,889
2002
Times Seen:
Tim: 1
Summary: The third installment in the Austin Powers trilogy features much of the same and a some new- Austin Powers (Mike Myers) battles his nemesis, Dr. Evil (Myers), as well as Fat Bastard (Myers again), Mini-Me, and Goldmember (Myers yet again), and this time around, has help from his father (Michael Caine) and Foxy Cleopatra (Beyonce Knowles).
Review:
Tim: The third installment in the Austin Powers series brings a number of new jokes, and sadly, many of the same ones over again. The International Man of Mystery does battle against his nemesis, Dr. Evil, Mini-Me, and Fat Bastard. This time around, a new baddie, Goldmember, is introduced. New introductions also include Foxy Cleopatra and Nigel Powers, Austin's father.
Die hard fans of the first two comedies will not want to miss this one. All the same characters are back, along with the same jokes, and same hilarious toilet humor. The storylines among characters progress, and several startling revelations are made. The film in that aspect is decent.
More importantly, however, is the comedic factor. The first two films introduced some hilarious comedic innovations that will never be forgotten- Austin's "Yeah baby!" and Dr. Evil's "Riiiiiiight" are damn funny, and quite memorable. The third installment seems strangely vacant of such original humor. Rather, it attempts to recycle much of the material we've seen once or twice before. While there are some variations, most viewers will realize they are watching the same thing all over again.
The film also seemed too chaotic. The opening and closing scenes are hilarious, but don't fit the Austin Powers theme. They seem very much out of place, which welcomes you to the movie by wondering whats up, and leaves you with the same feeling. I wasn't impressed.
Yet another complaint I have of this film is that it tended to showcase the characters instead of telling a decent story. At least in the original and its first sequel, there was somewhat of a plot. Here, you feel like you are watching comedic scenes, yet there is very little holding it together. Also, Powers himself doesn't get enough screen-time, as major portions must be handed out to less deserving characters, like Nigel Powers, Mini-Me, and Goldmember.
The film also boasts many, many cameos by famous stars. While this is downright hilarious, it makes the film feel more like a display of talent, and less like a complete motion picture. It was meant to highlight the action, but actually takes away.
On one positive note, I absolutely loved the character, The Mole. Fred Savage did nothing particularly special, but Powers and Dr. Evil's reactions to his large mole are hilarious. I was shaking with laughter and practically crying- sadly, the most brilliant and original moments of comedy in this film center around characters unable to take their eyes off a giant mole on someone's face.
If you didn't realize it by now, I'm quite disappointed in this film. By its end, Austin Powers should end in a trilogy. I fear its success will put thoughts of a 4th Austin Powers in peoples' heads. Don't get me wrong, I love the movies... but enough is enough. This latest film only shows that too much of a good thing can be downright awful. This film has its moments, but not many of them.
Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating- 6
If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery, Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me