Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me

December 9, 2004

Rated: PG-13 Runtime: 105 min Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Proving that a movie doesn’t have to score high on the Movies For Guys Vital Stats graphs to be a hit with us, Austin laughs it’s way to 4 stars and is recommended viewing for all guys.

I am going to differ from many reviewers and say that I do not think this Austin Powers sequel is better than the original, there just isn’t any way to recapture the “freshness” the first movie gave us, and several times it feels like Shagged will fall into the trap of using the same gags from the first film and try to rehash them in different clothes. Thankfully, this pitfall is avoided and Shagged moves into new comedic terrority instead.

Yes, the “objects blocking nudity” gag from the first film is here as well, but its only in the opening credits. Also, Dr. Evil has another verbal run like the “shhh” gag in this first movie, but uses “zip it” instead which doesn’t feel as much like a repeat as it does an extension of the first one.

What I am trying to say is that if you are questioning viewing this movie because you think it will be just a boring reworking of its namesake, don’t worry about it. There is plenty of fresh material here to keep you laughing.

Dr. Evil has a plan to steal Austin’s mojo, thus killing his confidence and shaggability which will allow Dr. Evil to take over the world! To get the mojo, Dr. Evil invents a time machine and uses it to travel back to when Austin was frozen and helpless. Once accomplished, Austin must also travel back in time (in a really groovy New Beetle) to catch Dr. Evil and regain his shagging powers.

It’s in this past that Austin runs into Felicity Shagwell, “Shagwell by name, shag-very-well by reputation,” and teams up with her in his quest for Dr. Evil. Heather does an excellent job in this part, from the groovy dance moves to the sixties sexual attitude that practically drips from her every scene.. grrrrr baby!

Dr. Evil’s new sidekick is Mini-Me, a clone of the evil doctor exact in every way.. only 1/8th in scale. What could have gotten old very quickly actually turns out to be damn funny. Mini-Me is a hit from beginning to end.

When the movie ends and the credits start to roll, don’t be in a hurry to get out of your seat. There are scenes during the credits all the way to the very end. And yes, the movie ends in such a way that Austin Powers 3 is a possibility and in all likelihood, a probability. Groovy Baby!

Posted by John | Filed Under 4 Stars, Comedy, Heather Graham, Kristen Johnson, Mike Myers, PG-13, Rob Lowe, Robert Wagner, Theatrical