Austin Powers is dated. Spoofs are naturally topical and its time-traveling angle exacerbates that. Plus, the humor feels more slapsticky than modern comedies. Meanwhile, the thin plot's sole function is to move from gag to gag. Many bits are meme-able and some are genuinely clever, yet that's it. Characters, emotions, and themes are empty. Some will argue that parodies don’t require depth, but inconsistent humor isn't lasting. Meyers has fun playing exotic characters and Hurley brings a crucial grounded presence, but Austin Powers' juvenile jokes might feel like annoying nonsense at times. Even if its catchphrases have endured, they only resonate superficially.
Technically, Austin Powers is similarly shallow. Its direction lacks cohesion, like a series of skits. The editing has good montages and fun interludes, but its pacing prioritizes jokes over emotional investment. The cinematography is flat and basic outside of some snap zooms. Also, the unconvincing effects, overly goofy sound, and flimsy production designs all look cheap (though some costumes are highly memorable). Even the music exercises some obvious choices, but that’s forgiven since its use of “Soul Bossa Nova” is iconic. Ultimately, Austin Powers had enough strengths to be a significant fad but too many flaws to be a true classic.
Writing: 4/10
Direction: 4/10
Cinematography: 5/10
Acting: 6/10
Editing: 6/10
Sound: 5/10
Score/Soundtrack: 9/10
Production Design: 7/10
Casting: 8/10
Effects: 3/10
Overall Score: 5.7/10
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