Allison Coffey, Charger Staff
Goldmember
PG-13
Although the previews looked good and the other two were great, the thought
of another Austin Powers film seems cheesy and unneeded. After talking a friend
into going with me, we sat in the theater and watched Austin Powers in
Goldmember, laughing the entire 90 minutes, putting the “cheesy” and
“unneeded” thoughts to rest.
As it started, I sat impatiently wanting to see the dance number I grew to
love in Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery and Austin Powers: The Spy
who Shagged Me. I realized soon that I’d have to wait a little longer as
the surprise beginning starts to roll (featuring Kevin Spacey and Danny DeVito,
which reminded me a little bit of Mission Impossible: II). The introduction
rather amusing but, in my opinion, could not beat the dance number. Much to
my surprise, while I was happy about the dance number, I was very disappointed
that Britney Spears had to be in it. Good thing Austin “smoked”
her in their little dance off.
Mike Meyers reprises his roles as Austin Powers and Dr. Evil from the first
movie and Fat B. from the second, adding a fourth role as the title character
(and probably the most disgusting character he could have come up with), Goldmember.
Along with Meyers, the other characters from the first two movies return
(including Seth Green as Scott Evil and Verne Troyer as Mini-Me).
Along with the old cast is Michael Caine (Miss Congeniality), who plays Austin’s
father. Beyoncé Knowles of Destiny’s Child makes her first big screen
appearance as Foxxy Cleopatra, and she is the major shocker in the movie. Who
would have thought she could actually act?
Among the other many cameos in the movie, Fred Savage (The Wonder Years) plays
“The Mole” who pretty much steals the show. The Osbournes (Ozzy, Sharon,
Jack and Kelly) make a little cameo that is amusing in itself, and viewers of
The Osbournes (especially the non-heavy metal crowd) will enjoy their
little bit and the bloopers at the end that show The Prince of Darkness stumbling
over his lines.
We are able to see Austin perform a wonderful song (“Daddy Wasn’t
There”) with Ming Tea where Austin croons, “Daddy wasn’t there,
to change my underwear, it seems he doesn’t care.” It’s nice
to see that Austin wants to try to actually form a relationship with his father,
who has a wonderful surprise at the end of the movie that is pretty predictable.
All in all, this movie exceeded my expectations. With a lot of plot twists
and funny, sometimes crude, humor, everyone will be able to find something they
like with it.
Is it the end of Austin Powers? It is the third movie of a trilogy, which
for most people would mean the last movie. But with Mike Meyers in control...who
knows?
In a way, I hope that they do not make another one...what else could they do? On the other hand, “cheesy” and “unneeded” humor are sometimes a blessing.
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Article prepared for web by J. Wheeler 6-Sept-2002