Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery

Director: Jay Roach

Starring: Mike Myers, Elizabeth Hurley, Michael York, Mimi Rogers, Robert Wagner, Seth Green

Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery is the first (and arguably best) instalment in the suave sixties superspy’s Bond-spoof franchise, starring Mike Myers in two completely bipolar roles (as the man himself and his arch-nemesis Dr Evil) and Elizabeth Hurley (as his stubborn but sexy side-kick).

The film begins in 1967, with an awesome musical intro to London’s swinging psychedelic scene, in which Austin Powers is worshipped as a world-famous fashion photographer and general king of all things cool. And as if that wasn’t enough, by night he serves to protect Queen and country from the schemes of the ridiculously nefarious Dr Evil, who resorts to cryogenically freezing himself in space in an attempt to evade the pursuit of the world’s leading gentleman spy. Austin has no choice but to leave behind his beloved sixties hipster era, as he himself is also frozen to be woken when Dr Evil returns to Earth…

What follows is a hilariously over-the-top misadventure that portrays the struggles of Austin and Dr Evil as they try to get to grips with modern-day life, whilst simultaneously trying to foil each other’s plans. Both are completely out-of-touch with their new surroundings, and Myers’ laugh-a-minute script fires one ludicrous quip after another, meaning a second viewing is almost mandatory, and a tenth no less bizarrely entertaining. It’s fair to say that with all its silliness and mockery, it’s not the most thought-provoking of films. It is however one of the funniest you’ll ever be likely to see. With fantastic performances all-round, including cameos from the likes of Will Ferrell, Mimi Rogers, Seth Green and Robert Wagner, Austin Powers is a cult-classic that is outrageous fun and will have you quoting its classic dialogue for days, if not years, on end.

Mark Gibson