Debonair. Defiant. Defrosted.
1997-05-02
$16.5M
94 min
As a swinging fashion photographer by day and a groovy British superagent by night, Austin Powers is the '60s' most shagadelic spy. But can he stop megalomaniac Dr. Evil after the bald villain freezes himself and unthaws in the '90s? With the help of sexy sidekick Vanessa Kensington, he just might.
It's a reference film, although it's not exactly my cup of tea.
Well, first of all, I have to acknowledge the impact and popularity of this film, not just at the time it came out, but even today. It was one of the great successes of the time (except for the United Kingdom, shaken by the death of Diana Spencer, and where the film only later, on physical support, came to gain popularity). It is one of the most popular comedies of the late 20th century and was instrumental in consolidating and expanding Mike Myers' career. However, I don't think it's exactly… my cup of tea. And I will explain why.
The script is, basically, a parody of the James Bond films… Austin Powers is a flamboyant and liberal spy who is described as the man all women want and all men want to copy. This is hilarious because the character is ugly, kitschy and has the manners of a deeply misogynistic sexual pervert. Nothing against it, I'm not a fan of political correctness. What really bothers me about this movie is the total absence of funny jokes and the emphasis on the sex theme. Almost all jokes have a sexual connotation, and this proved not only ineffective but tiresome.
The plot is simple: in the Sixties, Powers fails in his attempt to neutralize his greatest enemy, Dr. Evil, when he escapes and freezes himself in a cryogenic capsule. In order not to be left behind, the spy offers to go through it, being frozen until the day his enemy returns, which happens in the late 90's. From here, a whole sub-plot is generated in which both characters, in their own way, will have to adapt to the new period as they prepare for the final confrontation.
Myers is the driving force of the entire film, taking on the skin of two of the important characters: the hero and the villain. This is not something new in cinema and has already been carried out by Peter Sellers and Alec Guinness, two references that Myers took into account in his work. And even though I didn't really like the film, it wouldn't be right of me if I refrained from praising this actor, and his ability and commitment. Elizabeth Hurley played a spy, daughter of a former colleague of the protagonist, being the "Powers-Girl" in this film. She is good enough for the task and does a pleasant job.
Technically, the film does what it needs. A regular cinematography with good colors and sharpness, a very pleasant rhythm and no dead moments. I liked the props and the sets, especially Powers' car (a classic Jaguar). His costume, clearly inspired by 18th century clothing, also seemed creative and original to me, although I have some difficulty in finding any credible basis for this option in the fashions and aesthetics of the 60s. Finally, a note of praise for the very good soundtrack and, in particular, for the lively dance sequence that accompanies the opening credits.
