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Myers gleams in 'Goldmember'; plot dulls third time around


The latest installment of the Austin Powers films is a double-edged sword.

On one hand, it's not that remarkable of a movie, surely nothing that we haven't seen before in the first two Powers films. But on the other hand, it can be downright hilarious.

As in all the Powers films, the plot doesn't really matter. Dr. Evil (Mike Myers) is out to destroy the world and Austin Powers (Myers) is out to stop him. This time, Dr. Evil has somewhat of a cohort, Goldmember (you guessed it, Myers.)

Thankfully, Myers plays just about all of the major roles. There's not much to be said for supporting roles in these movies.

The problem with Myers now, is that he is Powers. Most teens going to see this film probably never saw him during his "Saturday Night Live" days. If Myers ever decided to branch out from the Powers movies, it wouldn't take him long to be considered one of the best comedic actors of his generation.

But as usual, Myers is fantastic playing four characters in this film. His dancing, singing and amusing accents make him a ton of fun to watch. Sometimes you can pick up on when he starts improvising, and that's generally from where the best laughs come.

Michael Caine is introduced in this film as Austin's dad, Nigel Powers, who apparently didn't show Austin enough attention when he was a child. Unfortunately, Caine doesn't get enough screen time to let much of his comedic talents shine through.

Austin's female running mate in "Goldmember" is Destiny's Child singer Beyonce Knowles as Foxxy Cleopatra in her film debut.

You could tell it was her film debut.

The 20-year-old Knowles follows in the not-so-proud tradition of Heather Graham in 1999's "Austin Powers: The Spy who Shagged Me." Definitely nice to look at, but hard to listen to. Please bring back Elizabeth Hurley. She was the only female lead who actually added comedy to a Powers film.

Actually, don't bring her back. Because that would mean they'd have to make another Powers film. And with an end as disappointing as the one in "Goldmember," making Part Four would be a big mistake.

But "Goldmember" is still side-splittingly funny in parts, thanks to Mike Myers and some of the funniest cameos I have ever seen.

Reach Adam Kress at jtreered@aol.com.


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