Editing Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery

{{Short description|1997 film by Jay Roach}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2022}}
{{Infobox film
| name           = Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery
| image          = Austin Powers International Man of Mystery theatrical poster.jpg
| caption        = Theatrical release poster
| director       = [[Jay Roach]]
| writer         = [[Mike Myers]]
| producer       = {{plainlist|
* [[Suzanne Todd]]
* [[Demi Moore]]
* [[Jennifer Todd]]
* Mike Myers<ref name="AFI"/>
}}
| starring       = {{plainlist|
* Mike Myers
* [[Elizabeth Hurley]]
* [[Michael York]]
* [[Robert Wagner]]
* [[Mindy Sterling]]
* [[Seth Green]]
* [[Mimi Rogers]]
}}
| music          = [[George S. Clinton]]<ref name="AFI"/>
| cinematography = [[Peter Deming]]<ref name="AFI"/>
| editing        = [[Debra Neil-Fisher]]<ref name="AFI"/>
| production_companies = {{plainlist|
* [[New Line Cinema]]
* [[New Line Productions]]
* Moving Pictures
* Eric's Boy
* KC Medien<ref name="BFI">{{cite web|title=Austin Powers International Man of Mystery (1997)|url=http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b7f976022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160421013553/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b7f976022|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 21, 2016|publisher=[[British Film Institute]]|access-date=May 28, 2018}}</ref>
}}
| distributor    = {{Plainlist|
* New Line Cinema (United States)<ref name="AFI">{{cite web|title=Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997)|url=https://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/MovieDetails/60500|website=[[AFI Catalog of Feature Films]]|access-date=28 May 2018}}</ref>
* [[Capella Films|Capella International]] (international)<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Carver |first=Benedict |url=https://variety.com/1998/film/news/capella-consortium-1117471792/ |title=Capella consortium |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=June 12, 1998}}</ref>
}}
| released       = {{film date|1997|5|2}}
| runtime        = {{Plainlist|
* 95 minutes<ref name="BBFC">{{cite web|title=Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery|url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/austin-powers-international-man-of-mystery-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0yotk2njy|publisher=[[British Board of Film Classification]]|access-date=August 28, 2024}}</ref> (international)
* 89 minutes<ref name="Rotten Tomatoes">{{cite web|title=Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/austin_powers_international_man_of_mystery|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|access-date=August 28, 2024}}</ref> (United States)
}}
| country        = United States
| language       = English
| budget         = $16.5–18 million<ref name="mojo" /><ref name="numbers">{{cite web |title=Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997) – Financial Information |url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Austin-Powers-International-Man-of-Mystery#tab=summary |website=[[The Numbers (website)|The Numbers]] }}</ref>
| gross          = $67.7 million<ref name="mojo">{{Mojo title|austinpowers}}</ref>
}}

'''''Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery''''' (or simply '''''Austin Powers'''''<ref name="BFI"/>) is a 1997 American [[Spy film|spy]] [[comedy film]] directed by [[Jay Roach]]. It is the first installment in the [[Austin Powers|''Austin Powers'' series]]. It stars franchise co-producer and writer [[Mike Myers]], playing the roles of [[Austin Powers (character)|Austin Powers]] and his arch enemy [[Dr. Evil]].<ref name="Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery">{{cite web|url=https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/319786/austin-powers-international-man-of-mystery|title=Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery|work=[[Turner Classic Movies]]|access-date=April 11, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Lauro |first=Patricia Winters |date=June 14, 1999 |title=ADVERTISING; Big marketers are betting on 'Austin Powers' to endear them to young people. |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/06/14/business/media-business-advertising-big-marketers-are-betting-austin-powers-endear-them.html |url-status=live |access-date=July 29, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109101036/https://www.nytimes.com/1999/06/14/business/media-business-advertising-big-marketers-are-betting-austin-powers-endear-them.html |archive-date=November 9, 2012}}</ref> Supporting roles are played by [[Elizabeth Hurley]], [[Robert Wagner]], [[Seth Green]], and [[Michael York]]. The film is a [[parody]] of the [[James Bond in film|James Bond films]] and other popular culture from the [[Swinging Sixties|1960s]],<ref name=":0">{{cite web|last1=Parker|first1=Ryan|title='Austin Powers' at 20: Mike Myers, Jay Roach, More Spill Secrets in Shagadelic Oral History|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/features/austin-powers-definitive-oral-history-mike-myers-jay-roach-more-reveal-secrets-997139 |website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=April 27, 2017 |publisher=Lynne Segall|access-date=28 March 2018|quote="...Austin Powers was a tribute to my father, who [introduced me to] James Bond, Peter Sellers, The Beatles, The Goodies, Peter Cook and Dudley Moore".}}</ref> centering on a flamboyant, promiscuous secret agent and a criminal mastermind arch-nemesis, who go into and come out of cryostasis at the same time as each other as their conflict spans decades.

The film, which cost $16.5 million to produce, was released on May 2, 1997. It received generally positive reviews from critics and grossed $67 million worldwide. It is now regarded as one of the best comedy films of all time, ranking 42nd on [[Bravo (American TV network)|Bravo]]'s "100 Funniest Movies of All Time" list. The film spawned two sequels, ''[[Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me]]'' (1999) and ''[[Austin Powers in Goldmember]]'' (2002). In the years following ''Austin Powers in Goldmember'', Myers has discussed the possibility of a [[Austin Powers#Possible fourth film|fourth film]], though as of 2025 nothing official has come to fruition.<ref>{{Cite web|last=McWeeny|first=Drew|date=2011-08-12|title=Exclusive: Mike Myers is signed, sealed, delivered for 'Austin Powers 4'|url=https://uproxx.com/hitfix/exclusive-mike-myers-is-signed-sealed-delivered-and-austin-powers-4-is-coming/|access-date=2020-09-07|website=UPROXX}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://moviepilot.com/posts/2015/07/23/austin-powers-4-official-update-3405117?lt_source=external,manual |title="Austin Powers 4" official update! |publisher=moviepilot.com |access-date=2017-05-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151029043513/http://moviepilot.com/posts/2015/07/23/austin-powers-4-official-update-3405117?lt_source=external,manual |archive-date=2015-10-29 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Plot==
In 1967, [[Austin Powers (character)|Austin Powers]] is a flamboyant British spy, renowned for his charm, style, and embodiment of the era's free-spirited, hedonistic ethos. Unable to defeat Austin in this time, his nemesis [[Dr. Evil]] cryogenically freezes himself, intending to return when [[free love]] has waned, and greed and corruption dominate once more. Austin volunteers for cryostasis to counter Dr. Evil's eventual return.

In 1997, Dr. Evil is revived and discovers that many of the evil schemes he planned to commit, like [[Ozone depletion|damaging the ozone layer]] and fabricating a sexual scandal involving [[Charles III|Prince Charles]], had already occurred without his involvement. Meanwhile, his henchman, Number Two, has transformed Virtucon, the legitimate front of Evil's empire, into a multibillion-dollar corporation. Uninterested in business, Dr. Evil conspires to hold the world ransom with nuclear weapons for $1 million—only to learn this is now [[Inflation|an insignificant sum]]—and increases his demand to $100 billion. He also meets his teenage son, Scott, conceived with his preserved sperm. Scott, angry at his father's absence, rejects Dr. Evil's attempts to bond.

The British [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]] revives Austin and assigns agent [[Vanessa Kensington]], daughter of his former partner [[Mrs. Kensington]], to help him adjust to the 1990s. Unlike her mother, who shared an unspoken love with Austin, the no-nonsense Vanessa is unimpressed by his outdated attitude toward casual sex and relationships. However, his charm and romantic side eventually win her over.

Undercover as a married couple, Austin and Vanessa travel to Las Vegas to track Number Two and his secretary, Alotta Fagina. Austin infiltrates Alotta's penthouse and discovers Project Vulcan, Dr. Evil's plan to detonate a nuclear warhead at the Earth's core, triggering global volcanic eruptions. Alotta seduces Austin to learn his identity. Realizing Austin is closing in, Dr. Evil deploys fembots—irresistibly beautiful androids with machine guns concealed in their breasts.

When Vanessa learns of Austin's encounter with Alotta, she scolds him for pursuing a relationship with her while being unfaithful, and warns that he will end up alone if he does not adapt to modern values. A reflective Austin contemplates his isolation, caused by the historic events he has missed, his friends who have died or outgrown him, and society's disdain for his archaic behavior.

Austin and Vanessa infiltrate Dr. Evil's lair at Virtucon headquarters but are captured by his henchman, [[Random Task]]. Despite the [[United Nations]] agreeing to Dr. Evil's demands, he continues with his plan. Austin and Vanessa escape and reconcile. While Vanessa summons reinforcements, Austin encounters the fembots and destroys them by overloading their systems with a striptease.

British forces storm the lair as Austin disables Project Vulcan. He confronts Dr. Evil, who mocks Austin's outdated hippie ideals. Austin retorts that the core value of the 1960s was freedom—a principle that remains timeless. Activating the lair's self-destruct mechanism, Dr. Evil escapes in a rocket. Austin and Vanessa evacuate before the lair explodes.

Three months later, Austin and Vanessa are married. During their honeymoon, Random Task attacks, but the couple subdue him and retire to their balcony. Among the stars, Austin spots the cryogenic chamber containing Dr. Evil, who vows revenge.

==Cast==
{{multiple image
| total_width = 300
| direction = horizontal
| align = right
| footer = [[Mike Myers]] (pictured in 1994) and [[Elizabeth Hurley]] (2007)
| image1 = Mike Myers.jpg
| alt1 = A photograph of Keanu Reeves
| image2 = Valentino Liz Hurley Cannes (1).jpg
| alt2 = A photograph of Elizabeth Hurley
}}
* [[Mike Myers]] as [[Austin Powers (character)|Austin Powers]] and [[Dr. Evil]]
* [[Elizabeth Hurley]] as [[Vanessa Kensington]]
* [[Michael York]] as [[Basil Exposition]]
* [[Mimi Rogers]] as [[Mrs. Kensington]]
* [[Robert Wagner]] as Number Two
* [[Seth Green]] as Scott Evil
* [[Fabiana Udenio]] as [[Alotta Fagina]]
* [[Mindy Sterling]] as [[Frau Farbissina]]
* [[Joe Son]] as [[Random Task]]
* Paul Dillon as [[List of Austin Powers characters#Patty O'Brien|Paddy O'Brien]]
* [[Charles Napier (actor)|Charles Napier]] as [[List of Austin Powers characters#Commander Gilmour|Commander Gilmour]]

''Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery'' also features [[Will Ferrell]] as [[Mustafa (Austin Powers)|Mustafa]], [[Clint Howard]] as [[List of Austin Powers characters#Johnson Ritter|Johnson Ritter]], [[Elya Baskin]] as [[List of Austin Powers characters#General Borschevsky|General Borschevsky]], and [[Neil Mullarkey]] as quartermaster clerk. Other cast includes [[Larry Thomas (actor)|Larry Thomas]] as casino dealer and [[Brian George]] as UN secretary. Cheryl Bartel, [[Cindy Margolis]], Donna W. Scott, [[Barbara Moore (model)|Barbara Ann Moore]], and [[Cynthia Lamontagne]] appear as the Fembots.

The film has several cameo appearances, including [[Burt Bacharach]] as himself, [[Tom Arnold (actor)|Tom Arnold]] as [[List of Austin Powers characters#Texan|Texan]], [[Carrie Fisher]] as therapist, [[Mike Hagerty]] as hotel manager, and [[Michael McDonald (comedian)|Michael McDonald]] as henchman Steve. The UK release includes additional scenes featuring [[Lois Chiles]] as Steve's wife, [[Christian Slater]] as hypnotized guard, [[Rob Lowe]] as John's friend (Bill), and [[Kelly Preston]] as Hooters waitress.

==Production==

===Inspiration===
[[Mike Myers (actor)|Mike Myers]] created the character of Austin Powers for the faux 1960s rock band [[Ming Tea]] that Myers started with [[Matthew Sweet]] and [[Susanna Hoffs]] following his ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' stint in the early 1990s.<ref>{{cite web |author= |year=1997–2012 |title=Mike Myers |url=http://www.digitalhit.com/cr/mikemyers/ |access-date=29 July 2012 |work=Digital Hit |publisher=Digital Hit Entertainment/ Multiplex Theatre Properties Inc.}}</ref><ref name="BiographyToday">{{cite book|title=Biography Today Performing Artists|page=101|author=Cherie D. Abbey|author2=Omnigraphics|author3=Kevin Hillstrom|publisher=Omnigraphics|year=2004|isbn=078080709X}}</ref> Myers said that the movie and the character were inspired by the British films, music and comedy of the 1960s and 70s his father had introduced him to as a child. "After my dad died in 1991, I was taking stock of his influence on me as a person and his influence on me with comedy in general. So Austin Powers was a tribute to my father, who [introduced me to] [[James Bond in Film|James Bond]], [[Peter Sellers]], [[the Beatles]], [[The Goodies]], [[Peter Cook]] and [[Dudley Moore]]."<ref name=":0" /> Myers also said hearing the [[Burt Bacharach]] song "[[The Look of Love (1967 song)|The Look of Love]]" (itself from the Peter Sellers Bond parody film ''[[Casino Royale (1967 film)|Casino Royale]]'') on the radio led to him reminiscing about the 1960s, which helped inspire the movie.<ref>{{cite news |last=McEvoy |first=Colin |title=What It Was Like to Work with Burt Bacharach, in the Words of his Collaborators |work=[[Biography (TV program)|Biography]] |date=February 9, 2023 |url=https://www.biography.com/musicians/a42815918/burt-bacharach-famous-collaborators |accessdate=February 11, 2023}}</ref> [[Dana Carvey]], Myers' collaborator on ''Saturday Night Live'' and on the ''[[Wayne's World]]'' movies, felt that the character of Dr. Evil was copied from Carvey's impression of long-time SNL executive producer [[Lorne Michaels]] and was unhappy about it.<ref>{{cite news |author=Brandon Kirby |title=Mike Myers, Dana Carvey Set Aside 'Wayne's World' Feud at Academy Screening |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/waynes-world-feud-mike-myers-445044 |quote=Carvey is said to have been upset that Myers' Dr. Evil character in Austin Powers bore a striking resemblance to Carvey's impression of SNL creator Lorne Michaels.|newspaper=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=April 24, 2013 |access-date=2015-07-08 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=How Mike Myers and Dana Carvey Resolved Their 'Wayne's World'-'Austin Powers' Feud |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/waynes-world-how-mike-myers-436879 |quote=Carvey felt Myers later stole his Dr. Evil impression for Austin Powers, which supposedly was based on Carvey's goof on Lorne Michaels. |newspaper=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=April 11, 2013 |access-date=2015-07-08 }}</ref>

===James Bond references===
{{Original research section|date=March 2015}}
The film parodies many characters, lines, set pieces, and plot points of the [[James Bond films]]. Primarily these elements are drawn from the early 1960s Bond movies, but there are references to later films in the series as well. These allusions include:

* ''[[Dr. No (film)|Dr. No]]'' (1962): the shower sequence during the unfreeze sequence; Austin's and Vanessa's change of clothing and dinner with Dr. Evil; Dr. Evil's outfit and general surroundings during the climax; Vanessa's bikini identical to Honey Rider's.
* ''[[From Russia with Love (film)|From Russia with Love]]'' (1963): modelling the Irish assassin on both [[Red Grant]] and the [[leprechaun]] character from the ''[[Lucky Charms]]'' commercials; Frau Farbissina partly modelled on [[Rosa Klebb]].
* ''[[Goldfinger (film)|Goldfinger]]'' (1964): Random Task's name, role and costume modelled on [[Oddjob]]; the dialogue "do you expect them to pay? - No, I expect them to die" based on "Do you expect me to talk? - No, I expect you to die"; Random Task/Odd Job chopping off the head of a statue; the final fight between Austin and Random Task against a wall modelled on fight between Bond and Odd Job against a wall inside Fort Knox; Powers stating to Random Task "Who throws a shoe, honestly?" (in Goldfinger, Oddjob kills by throwing his hat); the character Alotta Fagina modelled after the name of Auric Goldfinger's companion and partner in crime, Pussy Galore.
* ''[[Thunderball (film)|Thunderball]]'' (1965): Dr. Evil's headquarters, where he kills people around the table; the plot about stealing nuclear arms and holding the world to ransom; conversation about a swimming pool with sharks; Austin playing Black Jack with No 2.; No. 2 modelled on Emilio Largo; both Austin and Bond fighting with a bad-guy in drag—though the audience does not know that it is the bad-guy in drag until the fighting begins.
* ''[[Casino Royale (1967 film)|Casino Royale]]'' (1967): the song "The Look Of Love"; the rotating bed; psychedelic set during Dr. Evil's initial 1967 escape; No. 2 cheating at cards by having special glasses modelled on a similar sequence with [[Orson Welles]]. As this film was also a Bond spoof, it and ''Austin Powers'' have similar comedic beats.
* ''[[You Only Live Twice (film)|You Only Live Twice]]'' (1967): the lines "this organization does not tolerate failure" and "in Japan men come first"; the scenes with the Jaguar and the video communication with Basil Exposition at the very beginning modelled on similar sequences with Bond, Aki and Tiger Tanaka; external shots of the Virtucon enterprise modelled on external shots of the Osato enterprise; interior of Alotta's apartment; bath tub sequence in Alotta's apartment; Austin's poetry similar to Tiger Tanaka's reading of poetry (actually written by Bond in the novel); Mr. Bigglesworth (Dr. Evil's cat) being a parody of Bond villain [[Ernst Stavro Blofeld]]'s white [[Persian cat|Persian]], although it becomes hairless due to the [[Cryostasis (clathrate hydrates)|cryostasis]]; interior of Dr. Evil's lair modelling interior of Blofeld's volcano lair; face and suit of Dr. Evil modelled on Blofeld.
* ''[[On Her Majesty's Secret Service (film)|On Her Majesty's Secret Service]]'' (1969): the look and behaviour of Austin Powers modelled on Lazenby's Bond; Frau Farbissina modelled on Irma Bunt; the Fembots are based on Blofeld's angels of death.
* ''[[Diamonds Are Forever (film)|Diamonds Are Forever]]'' (1971): Nevada and Las Vegas locations; Austin climbing through the window into Alotta Fagina's apartment modelled on how Bond enters Blofeld's apartment; double entendres by Austin and Vanessa modelled after those made by the two homosexual hitmen (i.e. "moving", "heartwarming" in the original film); No. 2 using a model of the US to explain the enterprise; Dr. Evil's global attack being counted down in similar style; final attack on Austin at the hotel modeled on similar final sequence on the Queen Elizabeth. During the final battle the man calmly announcing "two minutes and counting," etc., despite the mayhem going on around him, does so with the same accent and intonation as the countdown announcer on Blofeld's oil rig who likewise continues counting down despite a similar battle being under way.
* ''[[Live and Let Die (film)|Live and Let Die]]'' (1973): Dr. Evil's shark tank is an allusion to Kananga's shark tank. The villain with the pincer hand at Dr. Evil's boardroom table.
* ''[[Moonraker (film)|Moonraker]]'' (1979) Lois Chiles who played Dr. Goodhead in Moonraker also has a cameo role in a deleted scene as the wife of the security guard who is killed by Austin by the steamroller in the Virtucon compound.
* ''[[For Your Eyes Only (film)|For Your Eyes Only]]'' (1981) When Austin is captured by the fembots, the scene of him viewed from one of their two legs is reminiscent of ''For Your Eyes Only''<nowiki/>'s poster.
* ''[[Octopussy]]'' (1983): Mustafa modelled on Gobinda.
* ''[[A View to a Kill]]'' (1985): Vanessa knocking out Random Task by hitting him on the head with a bottle of champagne is a reference to [[Stacey Sutton]] knocking out one of [[Max Zorin]]'s henchman by hitting him on the head with an urn containing her grandfather's ashes.<ref>{{cite web|author=Name Space:Main |url=http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/discussion.php?id=i6y0295ni3amp75yp29oh9jd |title=Chekhov's Ashes |publisher=TV Tropes |date= |accessdate=2017-05-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://expectyoutodie.blogspot.com/2008/09/view-to-kill.html|title=I Expect You To Die!: A View To A Kill|author=snell|work=expectyoutodie.blogspot.com|date=September 18, 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.epinions.com/review/a_view_to_a_kill_vhs_1989/content_213813137028|title=The bubbles tickle my . . . Tchaikovsky!|work=epinions.com}}</ref>  The bed onboard Austin's jet is an homage to Bond's onboard his personal submarine craft.  The tub scene with Allota Fagina is similar to the scene Bond has with Pola Ivanova.
* ''[[The Living Daylights]]'' (1987): Patty O'Brien partly modelled on Necros.
Additionally, Mike Myers has stated that Austin's thick chest hair is based on [[Sean Connery]]'s.

The film also references the film ''[[In Like Flint]]'' by utilizing the same chime sound effect when Austin is contacted on his car video phone, and the TV series ''[[Danger Man]]'' (a.k.a. ''Secret Agent'') as its American theme song, "[[Secret Agent Man (Johnny Rivers song)|Secret Agent Man]]" plays during the final battle.

===Casting===

Myers sought [[Jim Carrey]] to play Dr. Evil, as his initial plan was not to play multiple characters in the series. Carrey was interested in the part, but had to turn the role down due to scheduling conflicts with ''[[Liar Liar]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Evans |first=Bradford |date=17 March 2011 |title=The Lost Roles of Jim Carrey |url=http://splitsider.com/2011/03/the-lost-roles-of-jim-carrey/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150808040454/http://splitsider.com/2011/03/the-lost-roles-of-jim-carrey/ |archive-date=8 August 2015 |access-date=10 August 2015 |publisher=[[Splitsider]]}}</ref>

Since the 1960s had a big influence on his childhood, Myers cast [[Robert Wagner]] and [[Michael York]], two household names from the late 1960s, in key supporting roles. The popularity of the film revived both Wagner's and York's careers. Myers has referred to Wagner as "the coolest guy I know" and York as "the classiest guy I know." [[Rhea Perlman]] was in talks to play Frau Farbissina, but had scheduling conflicts. She later expressed regret about turning the movie down.{{citation needed|date=February 2021}} [[Colin Quinn]] turned down the role of Scott Evil and expressed regret for declining the part.<ref>{{cite web |last=Rabin |first=Nathan |date=June 18, 2003 |title=Colin Quinn |url=https://www.avclub.com/article/colin-quinn-13816 |work=The Onion A.V. Club}}</ref>

Myers estimated that 30–40% of the film was improvised.<ref>{{cite news |date=May 18, 1997 |title=This Sort Of Thing Is His Bag, Baby |url=http://www.newsweek.com/sort-thing-his-bag-baby-172878 |work=Newsweek}}</ref> Filming locations included [[Millennium Biltmore Hotel]], [[Riviera (hotel and casino)|Riviera Hotel & Casino]], and [[Stardust Resort & Casino]] on the [[Las Vegas Strip]].<ref name="lvrj">{{cite web |last=Cling |first=Carol |date=1997-04-28 |title=Two movies using Nevada as backdrop set to open Friday |url=http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/1997/Apr-28-Mon-1997/lifestyles/5276851.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010908064232/http://www.lvrj.com/lvrj_home/1997/Apr-28-Mon-1997/lifestyles/5276851.html |archive-date=2001-09-08 |work=Las Vegas Review-Journal}}</ref>

== Reception ==

=== Box office ===
''Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery'' opened on May 2, 1997, to $9.5 million in North American theaters,<ref>{{cite news |last=Puig |first=Claudia |date=1997-05-06 |title=Weekend Box Office; Box Office Continues Its Breakout |work=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-05-06-ca-56058-story.html |access-date=2010-11-05}}</ref> coming in second that weekend to the thriller film ''[[Breakdown (1997 film)|Breakdown]]'', a [[Paramount Pictures|Paramount]] release which opened with $12.3 million.<ref>{{cite news |date=1997-05-05 |title=Breakdown, 'Austin Powers' Top 'Volcano' at Box Office |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-05-05-ca-55599-story.html |access-date=2010-12-25}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite magazine |last=Mendelson |first=Scott |date=November 4, 2013 |title=The First 'Austin Powers' Was Not A Flop, And Why It Matters |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2013/11/04/the-first-austin-powers-was-not-a-flop-and-why-it-matters/ |access-date=May 30, 2022 |magazine=[[Forbes]]}}</ref> In its second weekend, ''Austin Powers'' fell to $7 million.<ref name=":1" /> Its overall take after it left theaters was $53.8 million domestically and $13.8 million overseas for a worldwide total of $67.8 million, four times the amount of its production budget.<ref name=":1" />

The low grosses in the UK have been partly attributed to the [[Death of Diana, Princess of Wales|death of Princess Diana]], which occurred in August 1997 just prior to the film's UK September release date.<ref name=":0" /> The film grew a steady following due to strong word of mouth and its release on [[VHS]] and [[DVD]].<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":0" />

=== Critical reception ===
''Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery'' received positive reviews. The film has acquired a 73% approval rating on [[Rotten Tomatoes]], based on 71 reviews, with an average rating on 6.5/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "A light and goofy comedy which provides laughs, largely due to performances and screenwriting by Myers."<ref>{{cite web |title=Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997) |url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/austin_powers_international_man_of_mystery/ |access-date=December 2, 2022 |website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]}}</ref>

[[Roger Ebert]] of the ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'' gave the film three stars out of four, calling it "a funny movie that only gets funnier the more familiar you are with the [[James Bond]] movies, all the Bond clones and countless other 1960s films."<ref>{{cite web |title=Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery movie review and film summary |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/austin-powers-international-man-of-mystery-1997 |access-date=January 15, 2022 |website=[[RogerEbert.com]]}}</ref> ''[[Time Out New York]]'' critic [[Andrew Johnston (critic)|Andrew Johnston]] observed: "The film's greatest asset is its gentle tone: rejecting the smug cynicism of ''[[The Naked Gun|Naked Gun]]-''style parodies, it never loses the earnest naiveté of the psychedelic era."<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Johnston |first=Andrew |date=May 1–8, 1997 |title=Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery |journal=Time Out New York |pages=64}}</ref>

Malcolm Johnson of the ''[[Hartford Courant]]'' praised Myers' turn in multiple roles, writing: "Myers, flashing his cruddy grin as Austin and doing implacable slow burns as Evil, again proves himself a gifted comic with a knack for transformation. But he needs to find a director who will spin out his best ideas and toss out the worst ones. With [Jay] Roach at the helm, '''Austin Powers''<nowiki/>' is less than groovy."<ref>{{cite news |author=Johnson |first=Malcolm |date=May 2, 1997 |title=Talented Myers Out Of Control In 'Powers' |newspaper=Hartford Courant |url=https://www.courant.com/1997/05/02/talented-myers-out-of-control-in-powers/ |url-status=live |access-date=29 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402135243/http://articles.courant.com/1997-05-02/features/9705020065_1_dr-evil-austin-powers-vanessa-kensington |archive-date=April 2, 2012}}</ref>

==Soundtrack==
{{Infobox album
| name       = Original Soundtrack: Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery
| type       = soundtrack
| artist     = Various artists
| cover      =
| alt        =
| released   = April 15, 1997
| recorded   = 1996–1997
| venue      =
| studio     =
| genre      = [[Rock music|Rock]], [[Pop music|pop]], [[jazz]]
| length     = 78:44
| label      = [[Hollywood Records]]
| producer   =
| prev_title =
| prev_year  =
| next_title =
| next_year  =
| misc       = {{Extra chronology
 | artist     = ''[[Austin Powers (film series)|Austin Powers]]'' series
 | type       = soundtrack
 | prev_title =
 | prev_year  =
 | title      = Original Soundtrack: Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery
 | year       = 1997
 | next_title = [[Austin powers: the spy who shagged me (soundtrack)|Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me: Music From the Motion Picture]]
 | next_year  = 1999
}}
}}
{{Music ratings
| rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
| rev1Score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref>{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r259849|first=Stephen Thomas|last=Erlewine}}</ref>
| rev2 =
| rev2Score =
}}

<!-- See [[Template:Track listing]] if you want to improve this section -->
; Track listing
# "The Magic Piper (of Love)" by [[Edwyn Collins]]
# "BBC" by [[Ming Tea]]
# "[[Incense and Peppermints (song)|Incense and Peppermints]]" by [[Strawberry Alarm Clock]]
# "[[Carnival (The Cardigans song)|Carnival]]" by [[The Cardigans]]
# "[[Mas Que Nada]]" by [[Sérgio Mendes|Sérgio Mendes & Brasil '66]]
# "[[Female of the Species|Female Of The Species]]" (Fembot Mix) by [[Space (English band)|Space]]
# "[[You Showed Me]]" by [[The Lightning Seeds]]
# "[[Soul Bossa Nova]]" by [[Quincy Jones]] and His Orchestra
# "These Days" by Luxury
# "Austin's Theme" by The [[James Taylor Quartet]]
# "[[I Touch Myself]]" by [[Divinyls]]
# "[[Call Me (Petula Clark song)|Call Me]]" by [[The Mike Flowers Pops]]
# "[[The Look Of Love (1967 song)|The Look Of Love]]" by [[Susanna Hoffs]]
# "[[What The World Needs Now Is Love]]" by [[Burt Bacharach]] and [[The Posies]]
# "The Book Lovers" by [[Broadcast (band)|Broadcast]]
# "Austin Powers" by [[Wondermints]]
# "The 'Shag-adelic' Austin Powers Score Medley" by [[George S. Clinton]]
# "[[Green Tambourine]]" by [[The Lemon Pipers]]
# "[[Happy Together (song)|Happy Together]]" by [[The Turtles]]

There are two notable omissions: "[[Secret Agent Man (Johnny Rivers song)|Secret Agent Man]]", which is played during the attack on Dr. Evil's compound, and "[[These Boots Are Made for Walkin']]", which plays during the Fembot presentation.

Another CD featuring George S. Clinton's scores to the film and [[Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me|its sequel]] was later released in 2000.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Austin-Powers-International-Mystery-Shagged/dp/B000050G8D/|title=Amazon.com: George S. Clinton: Austin Powers International Man of Mystery and The Spy Who Shagged Me: Music|work=amazon.com}}</ref>

===Certifications===
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|region=United Kingdom|artist=Original Soundtrack|title=Austin Powers|award=Silver|certyear=2013|relyear=2002|certmonth=8|access-date=22 September 2024|id=12537-1140-2}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=album|region=United States|artist=Soundtrack|title=Austin Powers|award=Gold|certyear=2019|relyear=1997|access-date=22 September 2024}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|streaming=true|noshipments=true}}

==Home media==
First released on VHS on October 21, 1997. ''Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery'' was released to [[DVD region 1|region 1]] [[Double-sided disk|double-sided]] DVD on October 22, 1997, by [[New Line Home Entertainment|New Line Home Video]], with [[widescreen]] and [[Fullscreen (cinema)|full-screen]] versions on opposing sides of the disc. It was one of the first movies to be released in the DVD market.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":0" /> The widescreen transfer is unusual in that it is a modified version of the theatrical ratio: despite being filmed in [[Aspect Ratio#Aspect ratio releases|2.39:1]] aspect ratio via [[Super 35]], on DVD it is presented in a [[Univisium]] 2:1 ratio, "as specified by the director", according to the disc packaging. The film was featured in the correct theatrical aspect ratio for the first time when it was released on Blu-ray in the Austin Powers Collection.

All versions of the film released on home video (including VHS) have two alternate endings and a set of deleted scenes, which were then rare to include on VHS.<ref name=":1" /> The DVD and Blu-ray versions also feature a commentary. However, all US versions of the film are the 89-minute PG-13 cut, with edits to sexual humor/language.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.movie-censorship.com/report.php?ID=531109 |title=Movie Censorship Report|website=Movie-censorship.com|access-date=4 October 2017}}</ref> International versions are uncut and 94 minutes long (assuming the correct frame rate).

==Legacy==
[[Daniel Craig]], who portrayed [[James Bond]] on screen from 2006 to 2021, credited the Austin Powers franchise with the relatively serious tone of later Bond films. In a 2014 interview, Craig said, "We had to destroy the myth because Mike Myers fucked us", making it "impossible" to do the gags of earlier Bond films which Austin Powers satirized.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mi6-hq.com/sections/articles/interview-daniel-craig-interview-foreshadows-bond-24 |title=Daniel Craig Foreshadows |publisher=mi6-hq.com |date=2014-12-02 |access-date=2018-08-26}}</ref>

==Awards==
{{See also|List of accolades received by the Austin Powers franchise}}

==See also==
* [[Outline of James Bond]]
* [[List of films set in Las Vegas]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{wikiquote}}
* {{IMDb title}}
* {{Mojo title}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes}}

{{Austin Powers}}
{{Jay Roach}}
{{Saturn Award for Best Fantasy Film 1991–2010}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Austin Powers}}
[[Category:Austin Powers]]
[[Category:1997 films]]
[[Category:1997 action comedy films]]
[[Category:1990s American films]]
[[Category:1990s English-language films]]
[[Category:1990s parody films]]
[[Category:1990s spy action films]]
[[Category:1990s spy comedy films]]
[[Category:American action comedy films]]
[[Category:American parody films]]
[[Category:American robot films]]
[[Category:American spy action films]]
[[Category:American spy comedy films]]
[[Category:English-language action comedy films]]
[[Category:Films about androids]]
[[Category:Films about suspended animation]]
[[Category:Films about twin brothers]]
[[Category:Films directed by Jay Roach]]
[[Category:Films produced by Suzanne Todd]]
[[Category:Films scored by George S. Clinton]]
[[Category:Films set in 1967]]
[[Category:Films set in 1997]]
[[Category:Films set in casinos]]
[[Category:Films set in fictional countries]]
[[Category:Films set in the Las Vegas Valley]]
[[Category:Films set in London]]
[[Category:Films shot in the Las Vegas Valley]]
[[Category:Films shot in Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Mike Myers]]
[[Category:New Line Cinema films]]
[[Category:Saturn Award–winning films]]
[[Category:Films produced by Demi Moore]]