New Line Cinema, Rated PG-13
Directed by Jay Roach
Written by Mike Myers & Michael McCullers

Dr. Evil and his 1/8-size clone (the math on that doesn't quite work out either) are surrounded by frickin' idiots in this lackluster yet still quite entertaining sequel to one of the best mainstream comedies of the decade (until There's Something About Mary anyway), Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery. Just about every scene with Dr. Evil, one of the most ingenius comic characters to come along in many a moon, is pure gold. Mini-Me (played to perfection by Verne Troyer, a little man with big potential for stardom) just adds to the laughs. The novelty of Austin Powers has worn off though, helped along by overexposure over the past two years and the huge hype over this movie. The scenes with Austin can be hilarious (especially the opening sequence, one of the funniest in recent memory) but some of them are really trying too hard for laughs it seems. Many jokes suffer from SNL syndrome and go on far too long. Then there is the loss of Elizabeth Hurley, who played off Austin so well in the first one. I know, I know, this is a James Bond parody so there must be a new "bird" every time but Heather Graham, as a female Austin named Felicity Shagwell jus t isn't as good (don't get me wrong, she has the sexy part down pat). I think Graham is a great actress, the biggest problem is her role was underwritten and a love interest who is exactly like the lead just isn't as funny as one who is his opposite. Then there is a huge misstep that makes Jar Jar look like a genius idea in comparison. Fat Bastard, showcasing Myers' Scottish accent for the millionth time (but this time, hey, he's fat!) is shockingly unfunny save one line. There are many laughs to be had here but plotwise and in terms of consistency, it has nothing on the original. Still, Dr. Evil is funny enough to give it a higher mark than usual. ** 1/2