Rating of
2.5/4
Recycled jokes don't work
The M.O.W. - wrote on 08/02/08
Moments after the first movie ends, we rejoin British secret agent "Austin Powers" (Mike Myers) on his honeymoon, and after an intimate moment, he discovers that his wife is actually a "Fem-Bot" which is loaded with explosives. He is then thrust back into the swinging singles scene. But his celebration is cut short when his arch nemesis, "Dr. Evil" (Myers) returns.
"Dr. Evil" has a time travel device made, and he, along with his minature clone "Mini-Me" (Vern Troyer), goes back to 1969, two years after "Powers" was cryogenically frozen, to steal the swinging secret agent's mojo in hopes that it will render "Powers" powerless. But British Intelligence has developed its own time machine, in the form of a psychedelically painted Volkswagon Beetle, which "Powers" uses to go back in time to get back his mojo, and to defeat "Dr. Evil" yet again.
This movie could have been a lot better than what it is. There are a few jokes that work, but not many. One humongous problem is that many of the jokes are ones from the original film, but repackaged. In my opinion, many of the repackaged jokes just don't work or, at best, will make you chuckle. Another thing which really made no sense were the "Laugh-in"-esque dance sequences which are used as transition from one scene to the next.
There are many weak performances in this film, mostly because of the weak script which steals from the original film. Myers is fairly funny as "Powers" and "Dr. Evil," but only mildly amusing as "Fat Bastard". The too cute to be a sexy "Bond Girl", Heather Graham is pretty good as Myers "straight-woman" in the jokes department, but she isn't that believable when she utters some of her lines. The only one who really stands out in this movie is Myers, the rest of the cast is pretty forgettable.
Many of the characters lack development in this movie, but many others have some pretty fair development. We also get to meet some of the more memorable characters in this series, such as "Mini-Me".
There really isn't much action and suspense that the movies this film spoofs are known for. But when there is some action, it's usually to set up some joke or visual gag.
The wardrobes in this film appear to be right on the mark, especially the 1960's duds. Even the hairdos are quite authentic.
The special effects are not that great, and many things appear to be models or miniatures, which might be a nod to the special effects of the 1950's-1960's movie era. To me, they could have been done a little better.
Personally, I think that this would be a fair fourth choice rental if your first three choices are not available. And if this has been added to your video library, save this one for a rainy day.
