Search - Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery on DVD

MPAA Rating: PG-13 Content Advisory: Violence, Brief Nudity, Adult Humor, Profanity Movie Release: 1997 DVD Release: 10/22/1997 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV,Pan and Scan Edition: Special Collection Audio Tracks: English, French Subtitles: English, French, Spanish SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 30 mins Studio: New Line Home Video Total Copies: 74 Genres: Spy Film, Comedy, Parody/Spoof, Master Criminal Films, Absurd Comedy, Spy Comedy See Also: Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery [MD], Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery [UMD for PSP], Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery

Less a parody of the early James Bond film than a parody of the films that parodied the early James Bond films, Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery stars Mike Myers as Austin Powers, by day a hipster fashion photographer in mid-'60s swingin' London and by night a crime-fighting secret agent. Austin's wardrobe is pure Carnaby Street at its most outrageous, his vocabulary is crowded by the cool lingo of the day ("Groovy, baby! Yeah!!"), and he's irresistible to women, despite the fact that he can be charitably described as "stocky" and has teeth that strike fear into any practicing dentist. When his nemesis, the arch-enemy Dr. Evil (also played by Myers), has himself cryogenically frozen and sent into space, Powers also has himself put on ice so he can be thawed out when Dr. Evil returns. Come 1997, Dr. Evil returns to Earth and is back to his old tricks, so Austin is thawed out and returned to active service -- though he soon discovers his style doesn't play so well 30 years on. The supporting cast includes Elizabeth Hurley as Austin's sidekick, Vanessa Kensington; Michael York as his boss, Basil Exposition; Robert Wagner as Dr. Evil's assistant, Number Two; and Seth Green as Dr. Evil's troubled son, Scott Evil. Ming Tea, the swingin' pop band that periodically backs up Austin, includes real life pop-rockers Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs. Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery was a mild box-office hit but an even bigger success on home video, which led to the 1999 sequel, Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Mike Myers - Austin Powers
Mike Myers - Dr. Evil
Elizabeth Hurley - Vanessa Kensington
Robert Wagner - Number Two
Michael York - Basil Exposition
Mindy Sterling - Frau Farbissina
Seth Green - Scott Evil

=Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery features both widescreen and pan-and-scan versions of the film; however, the original theatrical aspect ration of 2.35:1 has been changed by director Jay Roach to a 2:1 aspect ratio, perhaps to better accommodate its widescreen enhancement. The commentary track allows Roach and Mike Myers to tell what is improvised and what is scripted in the film, specifically to point out the different inspirations and homages, and joke around some as well. The deleted scene menu features two original endings and five scenes that were either cut for time or because they were expendable. One of the original endings is particularly hilarious and at least two of the deleted scenes ("The Henchman's Wife" and "Fendi Briefcase") could have been left in the film. The "Spy Genre Retrospective" is disappointing, just a series of pages to read about the movies that inspired the film instead of a featurette. Meanwhile, the animated "Music to Shag To" sequence, a celebrity cameo menu, and the "Swedish-Made Penis Enlarger Pump" features aren't exactly substantial but do add to the zany feel of the DVD. The theatrical trailer is also included. =Austin Powers can't compete with current special editions, but it is nonetheless a fun disc for an enjoyable film. ~ Oliver Thornton, All Movie Guide