Austin Powers in Goldmember

Review by Clint Morris

After the surprise success of the first two Austin Powers movies, it was foreseeable that Mike Myers was going to swing back into action for a third time as thunderously daggy, swinging super-agent Powers.

And why wouldn't he with the money these movies have made?

Even before the film was unspooled, this latest installment had garnered up quite its share of media attention.

Firstly, because of the whole James Bond-like title that MGM originally didn't want New Line to use -- they later came to an arrangement.

And then because of the many actors who'd given their time to the film only to have their scenes left on the editing room floor (Hello Rob Lowe, Liz Hurley, Heather Graham…).

So we're assuming what's left of this second sequel is uproarious hilarity?

There's little plot to speak of. Nigel Powers (Michael Caine) is kidnapped by a Dutch disco freak named Goldmember (also Myers) so with the assistance of old flame Foxy Cleopatra (Beyonce Knowles) and in due course, old foe Dr.Evil (yes, Myers again), Austin Powers jumps around the future, past and an underwater lair on the hunt for unappreciative pa.

Though the first Austin Powers movies were fundamentally one-joke movies anyway - this latest installment can't even get that 'one joke' to ring true again, instead churning out something a little tired.

Gone are the bawdy sexual innuendo gags, monotonous are the multiple characters Myers plays (Fat Bastard and the new character, Goldmember, are frightful) and flat are many of the gags.

The film is littered with celebrity cameos (I won't spoil, because they're the film's saving grace), but only because it'll keep people interested, and not fixated on how unfunny Myers actually is.

In hindsight, the supporting players are more worthwhile: Verne Troyer as Mini-Me and Michael Caine as Nigel Powers being the highlights. The chemistry Powers had with his previous two leading ladies is sadly absent in his scenes with new on-screen squeeze, Beyonce Knowles. She's ample - but so inexperienced to the acting game, her comedy schtick doesn't ring true.

The only other prominent highlights of the new film is flashback scene featuring young versions of Austin, Evil, No.2 and Basil at boarding school (although a lot of this was apparently cut) and some superfluous but slightly witty scenes where Powers is taken aback by a Mole's mole.

Even with the celebrities, even with the budget, even with all the cuts, even with Michael Caine (the idea was more exciting than the execution)… Austin Powers in Goldmember is a pretty lackluster sequel. You can dress it up all you want, but it's still a dud in king's clothing.

2.5 out of 5

Austin Powers in Goldmember
Australian release: Thursday September 19
Cast: Mike Myers, Beyonce Knowles, Michael Caine, Verne Troyer, Robert Wagner, Michael York, Mindy Sterling, Fred Savage, Evan Farmer.
Director: Jay Roach.
Website: Click here

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