After “Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me” came out in 1999, Mike Myers worked on a script as a follow up to the previous installment of the Austin Powers series. This time, Austin must save his father from Goldmember & prevent Dr. Evil from achieving his goal yet again. The threequel is titled, “Austin Powers In Goldmember.”
Austin Powers In Goldmember was released in 2002. (same year Harry Potter & The Chamber Of Secrets came out) It received mixed reviews from critics. Despite mixed reception, the film made enough cash at the box office. As of 2019, Goldmember is the latest film in the Austin Powers series.
Rumors speculate that a fourth movie is in the works with Mike Myers currently brainstorming ideas. In response to the news, I’ve decided to look back at all the Austin Powers movies.
Today’s review doesn’t contain no important SPOILERS. I’ll give ya guys & gals a chance to view are three Austin Powers films. Feel free to read my non-spoiler article.
Yay & Nay Qualities
Yay: Mike Myers did a funny as heck job for his performances as Austin, Dr. Evil, Fat Bastard & Goldmember. In addition to playing four characters, he also co-produced & wrote the script.
Cast Members from the first two films including the late Verne Troyer, (may be Rest In Peace) Seth Green, Michael York, Mindy Sterling & Robert Wagner all did a good job for their performances.
Newcomers such as Beyoncé, Fred Savage & Michael Caine also did a good job for their performances.
Jay Roach did a decent job directing the film.
Current has-been Demi Moore co-produced the film.
Humor retains memorable dialogue, visual gags, self-awareness, long jokes & mocking cliches from James Bond. As a kid, I never understood the jokes. Now that I’m older, I finally get the gags.
My favorite part is Fred Savage’s role whenever somebody encounters him, hilarity ensues.
Cinematography didn’t suffer from a bad case of Shaky Cam.
Prosthetic Makeup was used to transform Mike into Dr. Evil & Goldmember. A fatsuit was specially made for Mike to turn into Fat Bastard.
Costume Designs for the characters are easy to remember.
According to Mike, Goldmember is his favorite Austin Powers movie.
The movie spoofs “Goldfinger,” “The Silence Of The Lambs,” “Red Dragon,” “Back To The Future,” “The Hunt For Red October,” “Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon” & “The Matrix.” A parody film done better than Aaron Seltzer & Jason Friedberg.
Dr. Evil & Mini-Me spoof Jay-Z’s “Hard Knock Life.” Beyoncé married & had three kids with Jay-Z.
Austin sings “Daddy Wasn’t There” with the band “Ming Tea.” I think this song should be “The National Anthem” for characters who have daddy issues or miss their dad like Batman, James Bond, Simba, Harry Potter, Arya Stark, Aelita, (from Code Lyoko) Harry Osborn, Ashoka Tano & Fivel (from An American Tail) Good Lord! All these characters need to join a support group involving parental abandonment!
Austin mentioned his “spider-sense.” Sam Raimi’s “Spider-Man” came out in 2002.
The movie did a jab at Godzilla. Mike wrote dialogue about international copyright laws related to the subject. Perhaps it has something to do with Toho trademarking Roland Emmerich’s crappy Godzilla remake by renaming the 50 foot iguana as “Zilla.” I guess Mike is also a lifelong Godzilla fan.
A quote from Spy Kids is referenced. I’ll give you a hint, it has something to do with “mushrooms.” Spy Kids 2: The Island Of Lost Dreams” also came out in 2002 along with many spy films. Look up a list of spy films released in 2002, I’m not kidding around.
A fart scene made me laugh out loud.
Dr. Evil’s past is shown. He mentioned his childhood as part of his ridiculous speech from the first movies.
A Plot Twist is revealed. Without giving anything away, Goldmember predicted a similar plot twist from “Spectre.”
Tom Cruise, Steven Spielberg, Nathan Lane, John Travolta, Gwyneth Paltrow, Rob Lowe, Clint Howard, Quincy Jones, Britney Spears, Danny DeVito, Kevin Spacey, (before he was confirmed as a sicko) Burt Bacharach, Ozzy Osbourne/The Osbournes & Tommy “Tiny” Lister Jr. make cameo appearances. Tom Cruise & Steven Spielberg’s film “Minority Report” came out the same year as Goldmember.
Scenes are shown during The End Credits.
Nay: In almost every buddy cop movie, a “we are through” cliche occurred.
Dr. Evil’s master plan is kinda recycles “The Laser” from the second movie.
Product Placement featuring brands such as Pepsi, Taco Bell, Apple & Aquafina. I’ll give this con a pass, because I couldn’t spot any brand to shove down my throat.
The Final Verdict: B, FOR BRIGHT FUTURE! (before Mike became a Cat & Guru)
Austin Powers In Goldmember is a good entry to the Austin Powers films. All three of them are my favorite parodies next to “Spaceballs,” “The Lego Batman Movie,” & “Deadpool” plus its sequel. If you’re interested in seeing all three Austin Powers films, go ahead and give em’ a watch.
I hope the rumors involving a fourth Austin Powers movie in development is true. I’m eager to see Mike’s comeback. As along as he doesn’t wear a catsuit.
Nickthemoviecritic.com 