Director: Jay Roach
Starring: Mike Myers
Genre: Comedy/Action
Studio:   Release date: 1997   Rated: PG-13
Language (Country): ( USA )
Summary: If you've lived in a hollowed out volcano for the last few years, here's the basic premise. Austin Powers (Mike Myers), a secret agent, fashion photographer, and all around swinging cat of the 60s is hot on the trail of his sworn arch enemy, Dr Evil (Mike Myers). To escape Austin, Dr Evil cryogenically freezes himself and launches himself into space, to return and awake in the 90s. Austin also volunteers to have himself frozen, should Dr. Evil ever return. Mr. Powers is then re-animated to stop Dr. Evil's grand scheme of destroying the earth with a 60s retro tip. Along the way Austin must learn new 90s rituals like monogamy, fashion conservatism and orthidentistry. Dr. Evil struggles with taking over a 90s world and trying to father a 90s teen in the evil family tradition.

If you enjoy the Bond series, or have any connections to older British films, or if you ever got frustrated at the 'supervillian' for not just killing the hero quickly and easily, this movie will make you split your sides and wish you were Austin, bad teeth and all ("I'm going to place him in an easily escapable situation involving an overly elaborate and exotic death" -- Dr Evil.) This movie has wonderfully delicious dialogue and easily quotable lines, and a magical replay value (which may be why they made a sequel nearly entirely comprised of the same jokes?). Oh, and Elizabeth Hurley may also have something to do with it.

Kevin Archibald (dvd.ign.com)