Mike Myers has penned some creative and interesting comic characters in two successful franchises over the past 16 years.
Wayne from the "Wayne's World" films, Austin Powers, Fat Bastard, Goldmember and of course Dr. Evil from the "Austin Powers" films were all funny and memorable characters.
Myers' mind must go into odd places in order to conjure up such interesting personalities, but that's good news for the movie going public which yearns for original comedies.
Myers' latest creation is Guru Pitka, a North American orphan raised in India who moves back to become a self-help superstar in "The Love Guru."
And Guru Pitka is desperately needed by NHL Toronto Maple Leafs owner Jane Bullard (Jessica Alba).
Her best player, Darren Roanoke (Romany Malco) suffers a nervous breakdown of sorts when his wife, Prudence (Meagan Good) left him for rival hockey player Jacques Grande (Justin Timberlake).
Bullard needs Roanoke back on the ice if the Maple Leafs are to win the Stanley Cup, so it's up to Guru Pitka to try to get the not-so-happy couple back together again.
Now, Guru Pitka and his methods are rather eccentric mainly because he still wears a chastity belt, but also he was raised by the off-center Guru Tugginmypudah played by Ben Kingsley.
Yes, that Ben Kingsley.
During some flashbacks, the audience gets to see Tugginmypudah's teaching methods for his students.
They appear questionable at best and simply nuts at worst, including a scene where Pitka and another student duel each other with wet mops, which were not really wet from water.
Yes, Myers' love of potty humor and double entendres — similar to his Austin Powers films — do rule the day throughout this picture too.
Even Verne Troyer (a.k.a. Mini Me) makes an appearance as Maple Leafs' Coach Punch Cherkov and provides some funny back-and-forth barbing with Guru Pitka, reminiscent his fights with Powers.
But "The Love Guru" suffers from some problems too.
It isn't a sports movie, but the Toronto Maple Leafs vying for the Cup lends expectations of some exciting moments filmed on ice.
But the hockey scenes feel lackluster.
All-world babe Jessica Alba isn't given much to do except smile at the camera.
But also, some of the one-two comedic punches don't land, and sometimes the humor will offend.
But if nothing, Myers puts forth much effort into creating interesting characters and whimsical scripts and "The Love Guru" is no exception.
When the opening credits roll and Guru Pitka sings Dolly Parton's "9 to 5," I knew I was in for an interesting experience.
It's far from a perfect film, but there are just enough laughs to give it a modest recommendation.
Reach the reporter at: jeffrey.mitchell@asu.edu.
