Finding the right time to say goodbye is a hard thing to do. Many hold onto what worked in the past for way too long, and end up making fools of themselves when it's all over. But try telling this to movie studios set on releasing utterly disappointing sequels. Second, third, and (gasp) fourth installments of a usually worthwhile original movie is enough to make any movie lover get upset. These unnecessary follow-ups drag viewers through recycled themes and regurgitated jokes, leaving much to be desired. But alas, escaping this black hole of poor cinema, is International Man of Mystery Austin Powers, who returns for a third go at crimefighting with Goldmember.
Here we find Austin (Mike Myers) moving freely through space and time yet again, in groovy planes, time machines and his Shaguar. After busting into his nemesis Dr. Evil's (Also played by Myers) secret hideout, Austin himself becomes trapped. He must both rescue his kidnapped father, Nigel Powers (Michael Caine), and thwart Dr. Evil and his gang's latest attempt at attaining world domination. Along with disco singer Foxxy Cleopatra (Beyonce Knowles) Austin fights crime, with some shagging on the side of course.
Goldmember is a hilarious blend of old and new. The driving force behind the project, Myers utilizes extreme creativity and humor, in order to create new jokes, and to rehash many of the past ones with a fresh feeling to them. One of the strengths of this film series is its unique and outlandish characters. Old favorites like Mini-Me and Fat Bastard reappear, along with new ones that continue to stretch the imagination. As a relative newcomer to the movies, Pop diva Beyonce Knowles, from the group Destiny's Child, holds her own, adding a necessary flavor to her role as the sexy blaxploitation spin off.
Even after three movies, the creativity still flows, helping mold this into a hysterical gut busting laugh fest. Goldmember is everything it sets out to be, minus a few dull jokes here and there. The zany plot in Goldmember takes this spy parody a step further, turning the mockery spotlight upon Hollywood and even itself.
Goldmember stays strong and avoids becoming stale and trite altogether. Austin Power's third offering reinvents its own humor, and even expands it into new realms of comedy, making this truly groovy series successful once again.
