AUSTIN POWERS IN GOLDMEMBER (12) (From Stroud News and Journal)

AUSTIN POWERS IN GOLDMEMBER (12)

THE dotty spying Casanova is back for the third time.

For the uninitiated, Austin Powers is a send-up of all the 60s spy films from James Bond and The Avengers to The Saint, with assorted Peter Sellers films sprinkled in for good measure.

They are a parody of every glamorous secret agent you can recall and a colourful visual piece of vintage kitsch.

In the first film, Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997), the British super agent Powers, along with the scheming Dr Evil, have been cryogenically frozen in the free-loving 60s and are thawed out in the 90s to resume their battle of good against evil.

In the second film Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999) our hero is married, becomes a widower and loses his mojo (libido) while still working staunchly for the British Government.

He and Felicity Shagwell, a sexy American spy, had to travel to the Moon to thwart Dr Evil's attempt to decimate Washington and recover Powers's mojo at the same time.

This time, Austin Powers in Goldmember, life is running true to form and Powers and his immortal words "Oh behave" are still not adhered to.

Once again Mike Meyers is portraying Austin Powers, Dr Evil and Fat Bastard, but he has added a new character to the list, a Dutch metallurgical hedonist called Johann Van der Smut (or Goldmember in the dark world of crime).

It is always difficult for a son to live up to his successful father's expectations, particularly if your dad was Britain's most decorated and celebrated spy, the original International Man of Mystery Nigel Powers (Michael Caine).

Austin thought he would pass muster when he received his knighthood from the Queen. However, on the proud day Her Majesty dubs young Powers Sir Austin, Nigel is nowhere to be seen.

Poor Austin is mortified that Nigel couldn't be bothered to turn up for his special day. Basil Exposition (Michael York) explains that the renowned spy has been kidnapped by a dastardly criminal called Goldmember.

With no leads Austin is forced to ask his archenemy Dr Evil for help. This is granted on the understanding that Austin gets Dr Evil transferred from his maximum security prison to an open prison where Evil's accomplice Mini Me (Verne Troyer) is doing time.

On Dr Evil's advice Austin travels back in time to 1975 to find the disco-loving mastermind Goldmember who is ensconced at the fashionable Studio 69 in Manhattan.

On his travels Austin meets up with his old girlfriend and partner Foxxy Cleopatra (Beyonc Knowles) who turns out to be working undercover in Goldmember's roller disco nightclub.

He hasn't seen her since 1967 when he was cryogenically frozen while in pursuit of Dr Evil.

Needless to say it isn't long before Dr Evil and Mini Me escape from clink with mischief in mind. Goldmember's obsession with gold - which incidentally started with a most cringe-making accident - and disgusting habits are a magnet to Dr Evil and it is not long before they join forces with plan Preparation H to demolish the world.

Again the cast is brilliant; Caine was a truly inspired choice as the womanising spy, who is Austin's double only in Technicolor. No wonder Austin feels unequal to him.

Austin's character is a wonderful invention with his abundant sex drive, tombstone teeth, and awful hair; it's a joy to see his enormous success with women. He must give hope to millions.

I can't say the same for the revolting Fat bastard. He is just too much to bear, in a film that is already crudely over the top.

Sadly Goldmember is very unmemorable but it's nice see Robert Wagner back as Dr Evils No 2, who along with York adds just the right amount of class to this lunatic trilogy.

The soundtrack is catchy with everyone from Diane King to the Rolling Stones performing on it. There are priceless cameos to watch out for.

The scenes with all the superstars had to be shot in one day and director Jay Roach not surprisingly said: "It was the most intense, anxiety-ridden filming day of my career."

The insurance for that day must have been horrendous.

The bottom line is if you are already a Powers fan you will love it, if not and lavatorial humour at its worst is not your scene, then this won't thrill you either.

7/10