Review: Austin Powers in Goldmember

Austin Powers in Goldmember is hilariously funny, yet overwhelmingly boring. You are presented with a choice, questioned during the first five minutes of the movie. Will you look at it as entertaining, or will you look at it theatrically and blissfully down its comedic efforts? Reviewing this is a chore. One side of my brain tells me that this is a horrible film that must not be remembered, and the other half says that it is a fun and entertaining experience that is well worth the time and money. In this case, I have chosen to go with the entertaining side of the map. Unlike, Men in Black II, I got enough laughs out of this movie to be able to recommend it. Austin Powers in Goldmember is the pill that will cure the virus most commonly known as starvation of laughs.

In Mike Myers latest adventure he faces Dr. Evil, Fat Bastard, and his latest enemy, Goldmember (all of which are played by himself). In the film Austin Powers has to save his father, and the world for that matter, when Goldmember and Dr. Evil team up to flood the earth, leading everyone to death; except for them of course, safely nestled in there air-tight, ocean float estate. If I give anything more away about the plot, many laughs will be lost; so thankfully I am not. If chuckles are what you’re looking for, Austin Powers in Goldmember has them; in which case I would definitely recommend it.

There were two flaws in this movie; its stupidity and boring moments. When Mike Myers wasn’t lighting up the scene with delectable comedy, the show was stupid, vein, shallow, and boring. Even though laughs took up most the duration of this film, I must take off a full bucket because of the blank and bland moments in the movie.

"Goldmember" is ridiculously funny when it creates parodies of other movies. At the beginning, the film plays fun at Mission Impossible and some of the earlier James Bond movies; hence the title Goldmember (not Goldfinger). My favorite spoof took place about a quarter of the way through the film, when Dr. Evil is in jail playing Hannibal and Austin Powers is questioning him like Clarice. The scenes dialogues pace and tone were exactly that of the version in The Silence of the Lambs, yet the script change made it incredibly hilarious instead of horribly terrifying. Another favorite scene of mine occurred when Dr. Evil and Mini-Me made a music video put to the beat of the Jay-Z version of Hard Knock Life.

Austin Powers in Goldmember isn’t a great movie, but a very, very entertaining and comedic experience that no one can help but laugh at. The references to older movies, especially the James Bond series really got me laughing. The parody was done in such a serious, yet stupid and immortal way that I couldn’t resist the urge to crack a smile. This film is definitely worth taking a look at if you want to kick-back and relax to superior comedy. I recommend Austin Powers in Goldmember if you want a brilliantly hilarious time.

-Danny, Bucket Reviews