Midweek Mention... Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery

Groovy, baby! Welcome back to Bad Dads Film Review, where this week we’re throwing on our crushed velvet, dialling up the mojo, and time-traveling back to the swinging '60s with Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997). Directed by Jay Roach and written by (and starring) Mike Myers, this outrageous spy spoof remains one of the most quotable and culturally impactful comedies of the ‘90s.

🕶 Setting the Scene: Shagadelic Spy Games

Our story begins in 1967, where British super-spy Austin Powers, a cocktail of James Bond, Peter Sellers, and pure ‘60s kitsch, thwarts the evil Dr. Evil (also Mike Myers). But when Dr. Evil freezes himself and escapes into the future, Austin volunteers to be cryogenically frozen too — just in case he’s ever needed again. Fast forward to 1997, and Austin is thawed out to stop his nemesis, only to find himself hopelessly out of step with the modern world.

With help from his new partner Vanessa Kensington (Elizabeth Hurley), Austin must battle Dr. Evil’s latest scheme — involving a stolen nuclear warhead, a ridiculous ransom demand, and plenty of international intrigue.

Why It Still Works

1. Pitch-Perfect Parody
From Bond tropes to swinging ‘60s clichés, the film is a love letter and a middle finger to the spy genre. It's full of clever references, absurd one-liners, and hilariously on-the-nose innuendo.

2. Mike Myers’ Dual Performance
As both Austin and Dr. Evil, Myers brings a manic, multi-character energy reminiscent of Peter Sellers or Eddie Murphy. Each persona is distinct, and both quickly became pop culture icons.

3. Endless Quotability
"Yeah, baby!" "Do I make you horny?" "One million dollars!" The movie is a meme machine — before memes were even a thing.

4. Surprisingly Sweet
Beneath the layers of absurdity, there's a beating heart. Austin's awkward journey to adapt to the '90s and his evolving relationship with Vanessa add an unexpected emotional undercurrent.

Austin Powers is not one for the little ones — the innuendo flies fast and thick — but for adults (especially those who grew up on Roger Moore and Sean Connery), it’s a joy. The humour is knowingly daft, the tone playfully irreverent, and the nostalgia genuinely charming.

So throw on your ruffled shirt, grab a cocktail, and get ready to feel the mojo. This week’s review is full of bad teeth, good vibes, and top-tier British silliness. Yeah, baby, yeah! 🎬🕺👨‍👧‍👦🍿

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Until next time, we remain...

Bad Dads