"Just know, I have a whole bag of "SH" with your name on it!!" I know quite a few people found this film to be a pile of "SH", but let's face it, they ain't got a sense of humour baby!! This is one groovy flick man!!

Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery is a spoof on the James Bond Films. Don't believe me? There's a character named Random Task (Oddjob from Goldfinger). Still not convinced?? Then who about the sensual character of Alotta Fagina (a play on Pussy Galore)..You gotta see Austin's response to this in the casino scene..it's priceless.. Mike Myers, of Wayne's World, plays the title role, as well as his arch nemesis, Dr Evil (yet another character stolen from James Bond )..Liz Hurley plays Austin's new sidekick, Vanessa Kensington, her mother was his partner back in the 60's. After Dr Evil escapes capture by Cryogenically freezing himself and his cat Mr. Bigglesworth in a BIG BOY that is floating in space, Austin does the same thing so he may capture Dr. Evil when he returns.

Thirty years pass and Austin is revived to recapture Dr. Evil. Vanessa is assigned as Austin's partner, to bring him into the 90's and to convince him to have extensive dental work...excuse me a moment while I brush my teeth....The music score of this film is so well suited, you'll find yourself grooving and wiggling along with it. George Clinton's rip off, I mean homage, to the James Bond theme is terrific, and the sets in this film have been designed in true Bond fashion.

Interestingly, MGM the owners of the James Bond Franchise also hold the copyright to this film, it's good to see this film was made with their blessing, (and thicker wallets no doubt). While this film didn't have the biggest budget from New Line Cinema, every dollar has been put into making a truly great film. There are a few intentionally cheesy effects, like a severed head that looks horribly fake, but it all helps re-enforce this film in aimed at giving you a laugh, whether it be hysterically funny or so pathetic you can't help but laugh.

So how does this transfer hold up?
For Roadshow's Second and this time "special Edition" Release of Austin Powers, they were able to get hold of a master taken for a 16:9 Enhanced 2.35:1 transfer.   and it was well worth the effort, rather than re-using the previous version that was a full framed 16:9 Enhanced transfer (which cut off the sides a bit too much).   Having watched the region 1 version for the past year I have become quite familiar with its overall look and have to say that I simply preferred Roadshows lastest version.   Thought the black level was a fraction higher, the overall clarity of this picture faired better....Colour balance may have been a a hair lower, but there was soooo much detail and so much smoothness to this picture that I have to say it beats the region 1 version hands down......On occasion there were a few scenes that seemed a touch too bright (due to that slight black level increase) but there were several, actually, quite a few sequences that were jaw droppingly gorgeuous (the sequence with the infamous pussy-cut line was a cracker, as were the sequences in the aeroplane, Austin's patterened shirt even shows less amount of crosstalk).....generally this was a very sharp and very detailed picture, which on occasions showed a slight bit of haziness, as well as the odd bit of speckles (from a ever so slightly dirty print..but it is minor)..While this disc is Dual layered i was unable to detect a layer change..so either Roadshow were able to repeat the excellent effect as they did on their BLADE DVD...or the movie is contained only on one layer of the disc, with the extras on the other

As for the audio....there are a whopping 3 english audio tracks and the terrific running commentary..The three english audio tracks consist of the default Dolby Digital 5.1, a Dolby Digital 2.0 and the now defunct MPEG 2.0....Like the region 1 version the audio dubbing is less than perfect(thanks to bad post dubbing...a trait that is showing up in a few too many New Line Films of late)......In only a few cases the off-sync seemed a little greater than that of the region 1 version, but generally it was about the same for both versions......so unfortunately you won't win with either version here....It's certainly no was near as bad as "the wedding singer", but anyone who scrutinises their DVDs thoroughly will pick up on it in no time.....
In my review of the first roadshow Austin DVD i felt the soundtrack had a slight chipmunkish sound to it.....maybe it's me, but I didn't have a problem with that here....though i could still pick the speed increase of the audio (readjusted for PAL playback), but otherwise it was fine....and the bass seemed a fraction more agressive on this version, which is rather odd seeing as every other PAL DVD i've listened to seems to have less bass than its region 1 counterpart...

So if this is Roadshow's special Edition DVD of Austin Powers...what makes it sooo special... well....here's the list of goodies
- Animated menus (with DD2.0 audio)
- Mike Myers / M Jay Roach Commentary
- Deleted scenes and Alternate Endings
- Trailer (first and second movie)
- Cast & Crew Interviews / Bios
- Behind the Scenes Featurette
- Scene Selection
- Dolby Digital Canyon Trailer

The running commentary is the same as the one used on the region 1 DVD...however, our version of austion powers is the International version that contains extra footage (included only as extra features on the region 1 DVD)......Roadshow have allowed for this slight incompatibiliity by delaying the commentary audio to match what they are talking about on screen (for the most part) but in the non USA sequence with Christian Slater the commentary refers to an upcoming sequence and is repeated again...AND our commentary includes the original audio track in the background (which is NOT part of the USA commentary)..there are a few gaps in the commentary so having this soundtrack is a welcomed addition..

The deleted sequences and alternate endings are all presented in the 16:9 format (unlike the region 1 version) and are of varying quality, (again like the USA versions..some is pretty damn bad...BUT they are discarded bits, so it's of no real consequence)

The theatrical trailers are for the original austin as well as the spy who shagged me..both are 16:9 enhanced (shagged trailer is of a much better qaulity) and both are Dolby Digital 2.0

There is a short 4 minute-ish featurette....nothing too fancy, but something NOT on the region 1 version ..it comes in with a Dolby Digital 2.0 AND MPEG 2.0 track, presented  in the same way as the music clip (do the BBC)

Throughout the animated menus I noticed 2 things...if you press the AUDIO button on your remote, it'll take you directly to the Audio Selection menu, AND if you press the SUBTITLE button the movie starts (i really like the audion button feature...nice one roadshow)

And finally is the inclusion of the best (in my opionion) Dolby Digital trailer....CANYON...presented in 16:9 and would you beleive in Dolby Digital 5.1 (wonders never cease :-)

As I mentioned earlier, i have owned and watched the region 1 version of Austin Powers for well over a year now....but after seeing Roadshow's version, I think Ill be watching theirs from now on (unless i feel the need to watch the very cool and hidden egg Lost In space trailer found only on the region 1 DVD)

Review Equipment
TV: Pioneer SD-T50W1 (16:9 RPTV)
DVD: Pioneer DV717  (using RGB outputs)
Receiver: Marantz SR870 & Sony SDP-EP9ES
Speakers:-
     Fronts: B&W 602
     Centre: B&W CDMC-SE
     Rears: Jamo Magic 14
     Subby: M&K V125 

- reviewed 15 September 1999