Powers’ comedy lacks luster

REEL CRITICS

The original Austin Powers movie (“Austin Powers: International

Man of Mystery”) was a surprise hit in 1997 and eventually grossed

more than $53 million. The sequel (“The Spy Who Shagged Me”) exceeded

the total gross of the first film during its opening weekend alone,

thus establishing a veritable franchise for creator, writer and star

Mike Myers.

With this kind of momentum, the question of a third installment

became one of when, not if.

As we all know from the attendant promotional bombardment, the new

Austin Powers film is “Goldmember.” Back are all the familiar

characters, including Austin himself and Dr. Evil -- played by Myers.

Added this time around is Michael Caine as Nigel Powers, Austin’s

somewhat estranged secret agent father, and Beyonce Knowles as Foxxy

Cleopatra, an homage to such blaxploitation heroines as Pam Grier and

Tamara Dobson. Also new is another Myers’ portrayal, the title

character, Goldmember.

When Austin Powers first hit the scene, the broad spoof of 1960s

British spy films seemed fresh and witty. By the third time around,

one has to wonder what stone has been left unturned. Is there any

more comic gold to be mined from this particular vein?

After viewing “Goldmember,” I have to say the answer to this

question is decidedly mixed.

There are some moments in “Goldmember” that are among the funniest

ever put on film. The opening sequence featuring cameos by some of

Hollywood’s biggest stars is absolutely hysterical. There are

sidesplitting sight gags, purposely obscured subtitles, and numerous

spy gadgets and gizmos that should amuse nearly anyone. The jokes

come at such a furious pace it matters little that a fair amount of

them fall flat.

Myers is just plain funny, particularly in his Dr. Evil persona.

Caine seems to have a great time satirizing some of his own early

film characters, most notably 1960s British spy Harry Palmer. Knowles

as Foxxy is a nice addition to the cast and hits just the right note

in her performance.

On the downside, some of the characters are unnecessary and

unfunny. One character in particular who is best known for being fat

and rude is unrelated to the plot and, except for a funny bit at the

end of the film, his scatological brand of humor is just plain

disgusting. Title character Goldmember just doesn’t work, period. The

fact that Goldmember is Dutch, and therefore somehow “weird,” wears

thin quickly. Fortunately, Goldmember has fairly limited screen time.

If you loved the first two Austin Powers movies, you’ll think this

one is groovy too, baby!

* VAN NOVACK, 48, is the director of institutional research at

Cal State Long Beach.