Review of Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me

Video

Well the first comment here has to be the video quality is stunning!

This is what DVD is all about. Austin Powers 2: The Spy Who Shagged Me is presented in a perfect 2.35:1 anamorphic transfer that vividly depicts the bright gordy colours of 60s life. There is a lot of ‘in-yer-face’ type visuals in this film, and the DVD presents them beautifully. If you have a projection system incorporated into your home cinema gear, then this disc will send your living room crazy with flashing vibrant fast colour. Just don’t watch it on a projector if you have epileptic tendencies!

There are 30 chapter stops.

Audio

Along with the video, the audio is just as well presented.

The DD5.1 soundtrack (or standard surround if you need it) belts out the groovy music and “Oh-behave!” lines all round the soundstage. Many times the music matches the brash on screen visuals, and so the subwoofer gets a chance to shake the dust of its cones.

A short section here as there is nothing to fault!

Features

The Extras again are wonderful. As this is a disc from the New Line Platinum Series, you would expect nothing less.

Firstly the box is as brightly coloured as the film itself, but does come in those cardboard cases (not the nice Amaray) which may not be to everyone’s taste. You get about 20 minutes of deleted scenes, and a behind the scenes documentary. A full length commentary with Mike Myers, the director and co-writer makes for entertaining listening.

There is also a hidden section entitled ‘Dr Evil’s Hidden features Page’ which allows the user to jump to Dr Evil’s musical numbers in the film (yes there are some!), and another documentary from Comedy Central (a la South Park) on ‘The Dr Evil Story’. For those that don’t want to know where to find this menu, look away now……………………………… (up pop to menu the for seconds thirty wait page ‘Extras’ the from).

But that’s not all. Also you get three full music videos – the superb Madonna and ’Beautiful Stranger’, Lenny Kravitz ‘American Woman’, and Mel B (Scary Spice) belting out ‘Word Up’

Finally you get three trailers for this movie, and one from the previous Austin Powers romp.

Conclusion

The film takes place in the 60s and 90s, on Earth and on The Moon! All the familiar characters are there – Austin, Dr Evil, Vanessa Kensington (who isn’t around long!) along with newcomer Felicity Shagwell (Hmm!) played by Heather Graham. Mike Myers plays three separate parts, in true Eddie (Nutty Professor) Murphy style. Also a smaller Dr Evil appears called Mini Me, and Rob Lowe plays the younger Robert Wagner in visual only – they still use Wagner’s dulcet tones.

This film is fun. You already know if you’re going to love it or hate it before you see it. The DVD is superb and cannot be faulted. For sheer video, audio and extras quality – it rocks!