Review of Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997) by John H — 06 Feb 2013

As a cheeky but affectionate riff on '60s spy-fi, it's indelible. Myers's freakish excesses and ironic, pun-happy, how-am-I-supposed-to-know-this-is-dirty persona have never been better channeled than through his dentally challenged super-spy Powers and his delusional super-villain Dr.

Evil, especially thanks to Jay Roach's command of characterization (MEET THE PARENTS) and a visual design that practically oozes '60s kitsch. Even if it's less assured in the '90s than in the era and tropes it loves so much, it's still an infectious comedy and one of the great spoofs.