The summer movie season unofficially began with "Star Wars: Episode 1." That’s what everyone has seen, will see, seen thrice, will see it again. Believe it or not, there are other movies that are coming out in the weeks to come: "Wild Wild West," "The Blair Witch Project," "Tarzan"….and oh yes, the second most anticipated movie of the summer: "Austin Powers 2: The Spy Who Shagged Me."

      For those completely out of the loop, this movie is the sequel "Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery" that found some success in the theaters but went on a wild streak in its video run. If you have never seen the premier "Austin Powers," no fear. Austin Powers (Mike Myers) is, like James Bond, an English spy, an international man of mystery. Like James Bond, Powers goes to the ends of the earth (and moon), to stop the oh-so-clever bad guy (in this case, Dr. Evil, also played by Meyers). There are enough women, sex, cars, and villains to make Austin Powers seem reminiscent of…James Bond.

      But unlike James Bond, Austin Powers is darned funny. Here, Austin Powers goes out to once again rid Dr. Evil and his evil plans to evilly take over the world from the world. True to those old-fashioned villains, Dr. Evil aims for world domination and for the riches of the world. He and his dwarf clone, Mini-Me, arrange a time machine that would allow them to steal, um, something of utmost and vital importance to, um, Austin’s … life. Let’s just put it that way. In between, the movie finds time to poke hilarious fun at the oversexed James Bond, the craziness of the groovy ‘60s, and the materialistic ‘90s.

      "Austin Powers" is one of the funniest movies to hit the screens this year. It manages to keep the plot from looking ridiculous – which many 007 movies constantly border on -- all the while attacking and parodying every movie cliché. From dozens of bad guys shooting guns at one person but still missing to the inept qualities of the villain’s henchmen, Austin Powers hits the mark. The newest addition to Dr. Evil’s already amusing lair is Mini-Me, an adorable smaller version of Dr.Evil that provides countless comic relief. Like the first "Austin Powers," the bulk of the comedy relies on sexually related jokes, but, like "There’s something About Mary," you can’t help but laugh out loud, then laugh again. Granted, sometimes the laughs are out of disgust, but there also laughs out of sheer comedy. The only major flaw is Heather Graham, a beauty but nothing like a Bond girl. As Austin Powers' love interest, she's not very...interesting. Certainly not as interesting as Elizabeth Hurley's Vanessa in the original. Nevertheless, the man to watch is Mike Myers, who plays not two but three roles. He will be known as Austin Powers for the rest of his life. And deservedly so. Whether or not it is better than the original is debatable. However, the very fact that it is even suggested that this one is better than the original warrants this sequel's merit. As we all unfortunately know, sequels don't work out too well in Hollywood land. If it is even argued that a sequel is better than its original, that must mean something. One thing it means is it will certainly induce those who have never seen the original "Austin Powers" to rent it in their local video store. By the time the real James Bond movie comes out in November (titled "The World is Not Enough), it’ll be too late. Powers, Austin Powers has entered the building.

Tien Nguyen, 2000