Austin Powers in Goldmember

Austin Powers in Goldmember
Name	Austin Powers in Goldmember
Director	Jay Roach
Producer	John S. Lyons, Eric McLeod, Demi Moore, Mike Myers, Jennifer Todd, Suzanne Todd
Writer	Mike Myers, Michael McCullers
Starring	Mike Myers, Beyoncé, Seth Green, Michael York, Robert Wagner, Mindy Sterling, Verne Troyer, Michael Caine
Music	George S. Clinton
Cinematography	Peter Deming
Editing	Greg Hayden, Jon Poll
Studio	New Line Cinema, Team Todd, Moving Pictures
Distributor	New Line Cinema
Runtime	94 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$63 million
Gross	$296.6 million

Austin Powers in Goldmember. The third installment in the popular spy comedy franchise, this 2002 film was directed by Jay Roach and written by its star, Mike Myers. The plot sees the titular British agent traveling back to 1975 to confront the villainous Goldmember and rescue his kidnapped father, while a film-within-a-film structure features celebrity cameos. It was a major box office success for New Line Cinema and features a soundtrack blending 1970s disco and contemporary hip hop music.

Plot

After a Hollywood premiere featuring cameos by Tom Cruise, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Danny DeVito, the story proper begins with Austin Powers learning his father, famed spy Nigel Powers, has been abducted by the eccentric Dutch villain Goldmember. To rescue him, Austin partners with American FBI agent Foxxy Cleopatra and travels back to 1975. There, they discover Goldmember is in league with Austin's archenemy, Dr. Evil, who has traveled back in time with his son, Scott Evil, and henchman Number Two to form a criminal cartel. The mission culminates in a showdown at Disneyland, where family loyalties are tested and the fate of the world hangs in the balance.

Cast

Mike Myers portrays multiple roles: the protagonist Austin Powers, his nemesis Dr. Evil, the obese Scottish assassin Fat Bastard, and the new villain Goldmember. Beyoncé stars as undercover agent Foxxy Cleopatra, while Michael Caine appears as Austin's father, Nigel Powers. Returning cast members include Seth Green as Scott Evil, Michael York as Basil Exposition, Robert Wagner as Number Two, Mindy Sterling as Frau Farbissina, and Verne Troyer as Mini-Me. The film features numerous celebrity cameos, including Britney Spears, Quincy Jones, and John Travolta.

Production

Development began after the success of Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, with Mike Myers and co-writer Michael McCullers crafting a story that explored Austin's family background. Principal photography took place primarily in Los Angeles, with key sequences shot at the Santa Monica Pier and Universal Studios Hollywood. The production faced challenges with Myers performing four major roles, requiring extensive prosthetics and scheduling. Director Jay Roach sought to expand the franchise's scope, incorporating more elaborate action sequences and a Blaxploitation homage through the Foxxy Cleopatra character.

Release

The film was released by New Line Cinema in North America on July 26, 2002. Its marketing campaign included prominent partnerships with Burger King and Hewlett-Packard. It premiered at the Mann's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood and opened in 3,613 theaters across the United States, achieving one of the highest-grossing openings for a comedy at that time. International releases followed throughout August and September 2002 in markets like the United Kingdom, Australia, and Germany.

Reception

The film received mixed reviews from critics, with praise for its energetic comedy and performances but criticism for its repetitive humor. It was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Makeup and won the MTV Movie Award for Best Comedic Performance for Mike Myers. Commercially, it was a significant success, grossing over $296 million worldwide against a $63 million budget, outperforming its predecessors. The response highlighted the franchise's enduring popularity, though it also signaled audience fatigue, leading to a long hiatus before the eventual development of a fourth film.

Music

The soundtrack, curated by George S. Clinton, blends 1970s funk and disco with modern hip hop music. It features the original song "Work It Out" performed by Beyoncé, as well as tracks from Earth, Wind & Fire, Bootsy Collins, and Quincy Jones. The score incorporates themes from earlier films while introducing new motifs for Goldmember and Foxxy Cleopatra. The album was released by Maverick Records and charted on the Billboard 200, with the single "Hey Goldmember" performed by Britney Spears receiving significant airplay on MTV.

Category:2002 films Category:American comedy films Category:New Line Cinema films