Here we go, Mike Lancaster of the Hastings Bad Cinema Society really dislikes this film. Calls it "...this summer's BABE 2!" Well, given BABE 2 was a pure work of genius that failed solely because of a shitty marketing campaign by the real monkeys at UNIVERSAL, I don't think NEW LINE has too many fears because..... If the movie is BABE 2, with their marketing campaign, this pig will be in heaven. Ya know, I've always had a bit of a problem with these so called, "BAD FILM SOCIETIES"... They almost always come across as being prudish and elitest. As if they had some holy blessed ability to determine for all time the absolute ranking of the rank. Right now, I'd trust Moriarty's opinion... But for you fellow members of 'BAD FILM SOCIETIES' well... ya might not like this one....
I attended the exhibitors screening of Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me at the Mann's National Theater in Westwood (Los Angeles) on Tuesday night, May 25. Here is what I thought:
"Move over Phantom Menace, Austin Powers 2 may be the summer's biggest disappointment. Austin Powers fans will surely be in tears after sitting through this scattershot and only sporadically funny film. Expect a monster opening courtesy of all the fans who have discovered Austin on video, but then the negative word of mouth will kick in. There are six or seven hysterically funny things, and about 50 or 60 things that don't work at all. Some plot elements smack of desperation or are just rehashes from the far superior first Austin movie. Unlike the exaggerating Hollywood insiders that are predicting a $150 Million gross for this film, I've actually seen it and can tell you that few diehard fans will want to sit through this in a movie theatre more than once. It is this summer's Babe 2. We predict this film won't hit $100 Million." - Mike Lancaster, The Hastings Bad Cinema Society http://www.thestinkers.com
spoiler stuff:
Myers plays three characters in this one. Austin Powers, Dr. Evil and a 350 lbs. sweaty Scottish baddie called Fat Bastard who thinks he is the sexiest man alive. Most people will not know this is Myers until the end credits (!)
Heather Graham is unbelieveable babeish, a total knock-out in anything 60's she wears. Other surprises: We learn that Dr. Evil's henchwoman, that Butch German chick is really Scott Evil's mother. Seth Green gives one of the highlight performances in the film. Our story begins with an appearence of Scott on The Jerry Springer Show where is confronted by his Evil Dad. In typical Springer fashion, fists are soon flying.
Also, Burt Bacharach has another cameo, this time with Elvis Costello. Dr. Evil has created a midget version of him self, called Mini-Me, whom he dotes on like the son he never had. We also learn that Elizabeth Hurley, whom AP was on a honeymoon with at the end of the first film is really a Fembot. Rob Lowe plays the young #2 (played by Robert Wagner.) The time travel stuff is very confusing. It's hard to figure out where you are a some points in the film. And in shear desperation, Myers script takes us to the moon and back, literally.
There are a few big laughs, (Fat Bastard having sex, AP accidently drinking shit, the visual stuff of hiding private parts they did so well in the first and back in grand style here, as well as a play on the word penis which will have fans rolliong in the aisles, look for Willie Nelson, and Woody Harrelson... get it???? in cameos, but overall, it pales in comparison to the first film and I predict few Austin fanatics will sit through this one more than once.
Mike Lancaster
