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Austin Powers in Goldmember
Austin Powers in Goldmember **1/2
(PG-13 )
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Reviewed By Cathy Edsey Collins
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Oh behave…
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Mike Myers: Austin Powers, Fat Bastard, Dr. Evil, Goldmember
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Beyonce Knowles: Foxxy Cleopatra
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Michael Caine: Nigel Powers
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Michael York: Basil
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Seth Green: Scott Evil
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Verne Troyer: Mini-Me/Mini-Austin
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Director: Jay Roach
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Robert Wagner: Number Two
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30 Second Bottom Line: The plot plays second fiddle to the jokes in this third installment spoof of the James Bond genre. Sight gags, potty humor and a hefty dose of sexual innuendo build on the successful moments from the first two laughfests. In between the randy quips and gross-out yucks, Austin manages to foil the dastardly schemes to destroy the world perpetrated by Dr. Evil.
Tell Me More About It: To say too much about the story would simply ruin the fun of this goofy movie. Cameos and ingenious twists need to be a surprise to really get the ultimate hoot from this one. In fact, press packets included a slick flyer sporting an ominous-looking Dr. Evil commanding the media to "zip it!" and not give away any of the good stuff. I, for one, agree. The less known about "Goldmember' before viewing, the funnier it will seem.
The clueless Dr. Evil (He naively names his new weapon "Preparation H") gains a new cohort this time. Goldmember (played by Myers) is the victim of an unfortunate smelting accident, which has left his private parts golden and his skin continually peeling. The logic behind his partnership with Dr. Evil is fuzzy but all the mugging and shadow play are like a sleight-of-hand that hypnotizes the audience with laughter, making basic plot lines unimportant.
Michael Caine-whose black horn-rimmed Harry Palmer glasses inspired Powers' eyeframes-plays Austin's long-absent father. In fact, father issues are this comedy's hilarious addition. Mini-Me becomes alienated from Dr. Evil and even Scott finally gets closer to dear old dad as he loses his hair and becomes more villainous. Flashbacks to the past reveal unhealed childhood wounds and an homage to Darth Vader adds uncontrolled guffaws. Inexplicably though, Austin's trademark pearly whites---a crooked, spaced, yellowy mishmash-have been doctored-up into a straightened, whitened Hollywood smile. Too bad… that orthodontist's dream was a kick to look at and integral to Austin's swinging personality.
Destiny's Child's Beyonce Knowles, as Foxy Cleopatra, revisits the 70's era as this film's "Austin girl" treading in the boots of Pam Grier's black exploitation flicks like "Foxy Brown." This nod will be lost on the younger audiences who have little or no knowledge of Grier and even Michael Caine as spy Harry Palmer ("The Ipcress File"). Film aficionados will get a kick out of these asides but will have to abide the nastiness of Fat Bastard's fart/crap soliloquy to get there…hmmm.
After reviewing the first two Austin Powers flicks, this third installment stands out as the most cleverly conceived. Primarily a familiar framework on which to hang a series of goofy sketches, "Goldmember" outdoes itself in trying to top its predecessors. The jokes come fast and furious, with little regard for plot or character development. Some lay an egg but most-even the most gross-garner a belly laugh. The first uproarious ten minutes are worth the price of admission alone.
It ain't Shakespeare. Heck, it isn't even Neil Simon. But who cares? We need a dose of this nuttiness. Kudos to Mike Myers for fearlessly trying anything for a laugh.
Rated PG-13
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Cathy Edsey Collins © 2002
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Mini Filmography
Mike Myers: "Wayne's World"
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Beyonce Knowles: singer Destiny's Child
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Michael Caine: "The Cider House Rules"
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Michael York: "54"
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Seth Green: "Enemy of the State"
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Robert Wagner: "Crazy in Alabama"
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Verne Troyer: "Drop Dead Gorgeous"
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Jay Roach: "Mystery, Alaska"
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