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Blah, blah, blah - I'm bored and etc. Anybody got a car they want washing?
Member since:03.10.2000
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Just as with James Bond, the Austin Powers creators were faced with the challenge of how to beat the first film. While Bond followed Dr No with From Russia With Love, Austin Powers followed International Man of Mystery with The Spy Who Shagged Me. Could Austin beat the beast that is sequel hell or would everyone's favourite shag-a-holic end up being a total square?
Returning from his deep space exile, Dr Evil once more plots the downfall of mankind but knows that the only man who can stop him is still alive. The solution? Build a time machine, travel back to 1969, and steal Austin Powers' mojo. With a lagging libido and no attractiveness to women, Powers would be helpless and the world would be forced to pay a hefty ransom less they face the awesome lethality of The Alan Parsons Project (aka a giant "laser"). With 1969 Austin frozen in cryo-genic suspension, Dr Evil's agents are easily able to steal the mythical mojo and reduce 1999 Austin to a shadow of his former self. What's an agent to do? Why, jump in a time-travelling VW Beatle, journey back to 1969 and save the world once more...
While it's true that sequels are generally pale shadows of their predecessors, Austin Powers 2 (hereafter known as
AP2) is one of that rare breed that manages to not only match, but also exceed the original. Yes it's the same parody of the 60's spy genre again but it still remains fresh. Mind you, with such a wealth of material, the creators were hardly going to be stuck for ideas.
Like the Bond films it parodies, AP2 very much follows in the same pattern as before: Totally insane plot, larger than life characters, and a never ending stream of gags that bombard you from the very start. There are Bond references throughout but they're less rampant than before and the story concentrates more on the characters that were developed in the first film. Playing on their facets, this second bite of the cherry works on the nuances that made us laugh before. It's taken more to the extreme and benefits from the writers and cast being more comfortable with what they're doing.
Unlike in the first film, the story centres more on Dr Evil than Austin Powers. Yes Austin is still present and correct but his character doesn't develop too much (indeed where can he really go), and it's Dr Evil that gets more screen time. And that's not a bad thing in the slightest. While Austin gets the delightful Felicity Shagwell ("Shagwell by name, shag extremely well by nature"), Dr Evil has not only his usual cronies around him but new characters that manage to appeal, repel, and even disgust us into comedy submission. Frau Visna returns as do Number 2 and Scottie, but they're joined by the hilarious Mini Me, and the disgusting Fat Bastard. I'm not saying anymore as I don't want to lessen their impact. Suffice to say, they're not out of place.
Myers returns in the dual role of Austin and Dr Evil, and he's pretty much the same as before. Revelling in his roles, Myers is having a ball and comes across just as well as before. And while he might also play someone else, I'm certainly not spoiling it for anyone. The disaster that was Elizabeth Hurley returns once again as Agent Kensington but she's seen off in the pre-credit sequence and her demise onle robs the film of one it's potential ruining elements. In her place we get the wonderful Heather Graham. While sometimes appearing a little naive and inexperienced, Graham works far better than Hurley and the chemistry between her and Myers is far more genuine and feel good. Seth Green, Robert Wagner, and Michael York all return, and so does Rob Lowe (although here he's playing a youthful Number 2 rather than a cameo role). Teeny tiny Verne Troyer pops up as the vicious dwarf Mini Me and although somewhat creepy, his set pieces with Myers are a blast. Bacharach pops up again in a cameo role and indeed there are more cameos than before, and they're generally far more successful.
With a bigger budget, AP2 looks more rounded and slicker than the first adventure. Although a lot of the cast, crew, and even gags reappear, it still retains that sense of fun that made the first film so great. Yes we've seen the naked man/covered genitals gag before but it never fails to generate laughs. On the other hand there are new elements such as song and dance routines. While this can occasionally work, it's generally a kiss of death to non-musical films (see return of The Jedi Special Edition, or Mel Brooks' History of The World part 1 (anybody get the impression I don't like him?)). Here though it sits well and still manages to be funny. Throwing in more contemporary elements (ie Jerry Springer), the script may not be as immersed in the 60's as before but it's not a problem. In fact the script has now developed a self awareness that only adds to the parody ("Doesn't England look a lot like southern California").
Director Jay Roach again works his magic on the script and this second adventure really is better than the first. Yes the production may look a little more artificial than before, but the film gains so much in other departments that it really doesn't matter.
With the same blend of stupidity, parody, excitement, entertainment, AP2 couldn't fail to succeed and indeed it doesn't. It's funnier, slicker, and feels bigger and more professional than the first film. I know it'll sound cliche'd, but if you liked the first film, you'll love this.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Production Year: 2000 - Comedy - Director: David Raynr - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Jodi Lyn O'Keefe, Shane West, Marla Sokoloff, James Franco, Colin Hanks, Christine Lakin, Aaron Paul
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Fabulous opinion! Hehe, Dr. Evil is exceptionally funny - funnier than AP? Maybe... I saw this one before the first one, and have to agree it's better. Is that a...?
LostWitness 20.08.2001 22:55
I didn't really like the first film but I loved AP2 - really funny! That opening sequence still makes me chuckle thinking about it now... :O)
wildberry 20.08.2001 22:53
I loved this film too, wonderful opinion on an equally wonderful film. Thanks!
"I put the grrr in swinger, baby!" a deliciously randy Austin Powers coos near the ... more
beginning ofThe Spy Who Shagged Meand if the imagination of Austin creator Mike Myers seems to have sagged a bit, his energy surely hasn't. This friendly, go-for-broke s...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
"I put the grrr in swinger, baby!" a deliciously randy Austin Powers coos near the ... more
beginning ofThe Spy Who Shagged Meand if the imagination of Austin creator Mike Myers seems to have sagged a bit, his energy surely hasn't. This friendly, go-for-broke s...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
First he fought for the Crown. Now he's fighting for the Family Jewels. Austin Powers is ... more
back baby! Mike Myers returns in this blockbuster sequel as the British secret agent and thwarts international madmen and shags beautiful women like mad man! ...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
First he fought for the Crown, now he's fighting for the family jewels. Austin Powers is ... more
back baby!MIKE MYERS returns in this blockbuster sequel as the British secret agent that thwarts international madmen and shags beautiful women like mad, man! But ...
Advantages: Supremely funny throughout. Myers is great as three of the top characters. Good sound track. Probably improves upon the original which is noval for a sequel. Disadvantages: maybe just a tad too similiar to the original
Advantages: Supremely funny throughout. Myers is great as three of the top characters. Good sound track. Probably improves upon the original which is noval for a sequel. Disadvantages: maybe just a tad too similiar to the original
![Austin Powers - The Spy Who Shagged Me [DVD] [1999]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78545674.jpg "Austin Powers - The Spy Who Shagged Me [DVD] [1999]")
Aug 13th, 2001
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