Yeah Baby!

Last updated: 06/10/2006 - 09:00

Mike Myers’ comedy 'super' spy returns with the release of Austin Powers in Goldmember.

Austin Powers in Goldmember

Cryogenically frozen in the 1960s, and revived in the '90s, secret agent Austin Powers must step into danger once again, and this time he's headed for the 1970s. His mission this time? To save his master spy father (a man who bears an uncanny resemblance to Michael Caine) and you can bet his old arch enemy Dr. Evil is mixed up in the plot somewhere...

Bond Spoof

The third film featuring the adventures of the unlikely James Bond-style hero sees a first class cast of characters and performers delivering a colourful, funny and entertaining romp.

Mike Myers, whose previous film credits include: So, I Married an Axe Murderer, Shrek, Shrek II and Shrek The Third, 54, The Cat In The Hat, the two Wayne’s World films, and the other Austin Powers films - stars as the 'International Man of Mystery' himself. Once again he takes on multiple roles, playing returning arch-villain Dr. Evil, appearing as a certain sumo wrestling overweight scotsman from the last film, and appears as this instalments brand new adversary: the oddly-accented disco-villain Goldmember.

Directed by Jay Roach - whose previous credits include the other two films in the series – the screenplay was written by Michael McCullers, and the seemingly boundless Myers himself.

Screen Legend

New to the world of Austin Powers for this film is British screen legend Sir Michael Caine - the star of Get Carter, The Man Who Would Be King, Zulu and The Italian Job, among countless others. He has a dual role, as Austin’s famous spy father Nigel Powers and as Captain Hendricks.

Robert Wagner is back as Dr. Evil’s second in command Number 2 and Verne Troyer reprises his not-so-small part as Dr. Evil’s tiny clone Mini-Me – as well as creating a new character – Mini-Austin. Seth Green reprises his role from the previous Austin Powers films as Scott Evil, Dr. Evil’s non-evil son. Completing the cast of returning supporting characters are Mindy Sterling as Frau Farbissina, and Michael York as MI6 main man, Basil Exposition.

Cleopatra Comin’ Atcha

Personal assistance for ‘Powers in his latest mission comes from Beyoncé Knowles (The Fighting Temptations, Dreamgirls) of multi-platinum, chart-topping trio - and now solo fame - Destiny’s Child.

Here Beyoncé stars as ace CIA undercover agent Foxxy Cleopatra, an old flame of Austin's. Complete with a dazzling array of '70s style outfits, and sporting a huge ‘afro’ hairdo, the singer high kicks and jive-talks her way through the film in fine style, making a fine motion picture debut.

The Car

No international superspy is complete without his beautiful sidekick – but it was always the Bond cars that were next in importance to the Bond girls – and the Austin Powers films are following in that tradition. Austin’s new secret weapon is a Jaguar XK8 - resplendent in full Union Jack livery. This car replaces the 1960s E-Type cherished by the character in his screen appearances to date.

"Just like Austin, the XK8 attracts plenty of attention, offers high levels of performance and is great fun," comments Jaguar's Phil Cazaly. "We're excited to be able to partner with a brand whose name carries such a distinctive image," says Lisa Balshan, senior vice president of National Promotions at New Line Cinema.

British TV

Owing more than a nod to the James Bond films, the Austin Powers series also owe a debt of thanks to British television of the '60s and '70s, of which Myers is a well-known fan.

Principally the ITC-produced Department S, its spin-off Jason King and shows such as Adam Adamant, The Avengers, The Persuaders and Danger Man are all recalled by Myers’ creation. Certainly the style of Powers owes as much to Jon Pertwee’s outfits in BBC TV’s Doctor Who, or to the Jason King character, as to anything Ian Fleming ever created.

This though, is less a pastiche, and more an affectionate re-working, that wears its influences very much on its Carnaby Street sleeves. Myers seems set to prove once again that sequels can be better than original films, and this series just looks set to get better and better. Yeah baby!

This film follows Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997) - which co-starred Elizabeth Hurley, as Vanessa Kensington - and The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999), which introduced Heather Graham, as Felicity Shagwell. Both of the previous feature films are available as extras-packed DVDs, and on video.

See also on Lifestyle: The Intelligence Man - Rowan Atkinson is back – and this time he’s on Her Majesty’s Secret Service...BlackAdder/Mr Bean star alongside Natalie Imbruglia as inept MI6 agent Johnny English.

For more Austin Powers information than you can aim a Q Department gadget at visit the official site - which features trailers, pictures, downloads, merchandise, wallpapers and behind the scenes details on all three films - at: www.austinpowers.com

Austin Powers in Goldmember is out on DVD now, as is the rest of the Austin Powers trilogy.

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