Austin Powers: International Man Of Mystery [VHS]

Looking back on it, it was amazing that no one thought of completely lampooning those old Sean Connery Bond films until 1997. They were pretty over-the-top, but I guess that's what we loved about them. And, I dare say that the writer/star of `Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery,' - Mike Myers - loves them as much as the rest of us. For he gives us a most loving take on the unspoken absurdities that we deliberately chose to overlook in the Bond films. He plays both hero and villain here as a swinging spy, frozen in the sixties and defrosted in the - rather more politically correct - nineties to do battle with the (Blofeld-like) Dr Evil.Despite being an American production, it has a very British feel to it. Everything is made fun of, but you never feel like they're being particularly cruel - it's all quite `loving mockery' (if you know what I mean). It's not just a string of naughty jokes, but it also does go a little deeper in highlighting the change in attitudes from the `free love' of the sixties to the more reserved nineties.There's nothing here that's particularly clever, just a stream of innuendos which seem like they've been taken straight out of the original Carry On films. But, if you're in the mood for some general silliness (and have a healthy knowledge of the old Bond films), you should enjoy the crazy ride and find you're spouting the several Powers/Evil catchphrases for some time to come.

Mike Myers plays the groovy sixties British spy frozen in time to the nineties, facing the evil Doctor, er, Evil, also played by himself. Liz Hurley is his eye candy sidekick and Michael York is the boss. Cue lots of in jokes about spy movies and more use of the word 'shag' than anyone thought possible. Over the top comedy in a very Mike Myers kind of way. If you like his stuff, you'll love this.Books you might like to read Cold Steel on the Rocks We Are Cold Steel

I originally purchased the box set with all 3 films. This is only available as an import, but is region free. Picture quality of this is pretty good, however this is obviously the US cut of the film.Fans of this movie will know that the international version, as originally released in the UK, runs slightly longer and in my opinion is much better and funnier. There seem to be two main UK bluray releases and neither are good. As other reviewers have pointed out the Three Wolves release (yellow cover) is dreadful and has been totally botched. Unfortunately the limited edition steelbook also uses this disc.The only other option is the Optimum release (pink cover with Fembots). This is watchable, but the quality is barely any different to the DVD. The colours are quite washed out and the picture is not sharp, but it is passable. Sound quality is good, although it bafflingly defaults to stereo instead of the 5.1 DTS HD mix. There are also no special features whatsoever and not even any subtitles!Not sure why such a popular film has been given such poor treatment!

A true classic of it's day and maybe it's not aged that well but I still love the film itself.This is not the best of transfers, obviously not remastered as the film weave on the titles at the beginning is pretty awful. That said the picture quality itself isn't too bad, and the sound is very good.One problem though is that there are no subtitles on this film, something you sometimes find on lower budget discs but why this one?I also bemoan the lack of extras, looks like they're waiting for the 20th anniversary but by then it'll be a 4K release!

To be direct I like Mike Myers movies & this one is my favorite.I went to the cinema to see this with my wife & friends when it first came out & I remember 2 things which were the constant laughing & embarrassing laughter when a joke was awkward or really quiet crude but you laughed anyway hoping to not look stupid & that is the whole of this movie as it is not PC & makes great humor of a man from the 60's in today's world.I also especially remember when Elizabeth Hurley (all men say wow) when she came out with the silver outfit on as I think as I got a few other men probably got from their Girl Friends the jab in the ribs for maybe ignoring them whilst looking & thinking why can't I trade her in for Elizabeth Hurley.Good movie you have to own it.

Thought this film would have aged by now but it is still brilliant. Great gags in which have forced James Bond style films in a new directionMike Myers is a genious and glad to be re-watching the 3 films.

Now common parlance, it's impossible for anyone to be called "baby" or pronounce something as "smashing" without sounding like Austin on a bad day. Top marks to Mike Myers for his fine creations and a fantastic movie. The injection of time travel in a film never fails to produce weird and wonderful plots, especially Austin's maladjustment to modern day courting and chat up lines. I loved Dr Evil and how the practicalities of being father to a stroppy teenager will rob the dignity of even the most fearsome of megalomaniacs. Bloefeld never had to attend group therapy in the James Bond films and perhaps if he did, he wouldn't have wreaked so much havoc on the world stage.

Good fun film which we enjoyed. Received quickly.