Austin Powers: Goldmember (2002)
Mike Myers, Beyonce Knolwes, Seth Green; d. Jay Roach; B+

Logically speaking, Goldmember should have been the worst installment in the Austin Powers trilogy. It was to be stupid, pointless, plotless, and a huge disappointment over all. After Goldmember, the question of a fourth Austin Powers movie would have been out of the question due to the fact that its original fan base were tired of the franchise and would figure that those people behind the franchise had run out of gags. If there was a fourth Austin Powers movie, more than likely it would be banished to the video circuit.

Looking at the pattern established with 1999’s The Spy Who Shagged Me, it seemed almost certain that Goldmember would be the straw that broke the camel’s back when it came to the Austin Powers franchise. Alas, our time-honored cinematic traditions proves us wrong. Goldmember is everything an overdone franchise sequel should be - A rehash of old jokes attached to something formless and wholly moronic. It’s also very entertaining, believe it or not. It’s actually better than The Spy Who Shagged Me. Ah, the irony that such a plotless film that is obviously composed mostly of improvisation would be better than the previous installation of the franchise is too boggling a concept to ponder on. Basil Exposition said it best when he suggested that Austin (and the audience) try not think about it and enjoy the ride.

So I won’t sell you Goldmember on its plot. It has none. I said that already. Moving on…

It still has the same zany, sexual humor of The Spy Who Shagged Me, sans the gross out humor that turned many people off last time. FYI, yes, Fat Bastard is still in this movie, but his screen time is quite limited compared to that in the previous film. Here, improvisation takes center stage along with some rather humorous twists (especially the celebrity cameos… Even though I had an immense problem with one of them, and no that is not Britney Spears’ cameo). Goldmember returns the series to its own, fresh style of humor instead of the “Let’s do what’s in!” style humor in The Spy Who Shagged Me.

Powers fans will unquestionably love the movie - Though the new characters are something else. I, personally, loved the addition of Nigel Powers (Michael Caine), Austin’s swinging Ministry of Defense spy father. Nigel was the only thing about Goldmember that truly suffered from its plotless frame. He’s such a wonderful character (and played so wonderfully by Caine) who should have played a larger role in the film outside of being a pain in Austin’s behind. People getting ready to hate Beyonce Knowles can remain upset because Beyonce, believe it or not, is actually good in her role as Foxy Cleopatra. It’s not the most phenomenal debut for a singer ever, but she’s got sass and pizzazz and all that jazz to make the role work. As for the title character… Er, Myers could’ve done much, much better. He’s possibly created a more annoying character than Fat Bastard (at least Fat Bastard had the Baby Back ribs joke).

As entertaining as Goldmember was, it could’ve been so much better had it actually had a plot. Its zany humor could’ve had a focus and more of a bite that way. But, as is, Goldmember remains one of the better installations to the series. Hopefully, if and when they make a fourth (and you know they will), they’ll remember to focus on a story and come out with something as good as the original.

© Vert A Go Go Reviews 2002