Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery - 8 stars out of 10

Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery - 8 stars out of 10

Often immitated, rarely matched, "Austin Powers" changed the face of comedy films for an entire generation.  It was the biggest film done in the SNL style since "Wayne's World" and its title character somehow became more of an American Icon than Wayne and Garth.  Its plethora of memorable characters will keep you laughing from start to finish.  Austin Powers and Dr. Evil are absolute opposite personalities but Mike Myers somehow plays each one to perfection.  Although Myers is the highlight (x2) in this film, he gets a lot of support from Robert Wagner as Number Two, Elizabeth Hurley as Austin's gorgeous counterpart, Minda Sterling as Frau Farbissina, and Will Ferrell's cameo as Mustafa.  Between the potty humor, non-stop visual gags, extensive scenes of hiding private parts behind unexpected objects, and a million memorable quotes ("Who does Number Two work for?" "They're always after me Lucky Charms," "You shot me!  You shot me right in the arm!"), the amusement never slows down.  I don't know that Mike Myers could have ever expected this film to become so huge but it is truly something that has defined his career and (unfortunately) made every other role of his seem inadequate.