Movie · 1999 · Comedy, Adventure, Crime · 1h 35m · PG-13 · English
Curator score: 3.3/10 (523.9K ratings)
First he fought for the Crown. Now he's fighting for the Family Jewels.
Overview
When diabolical genius Dr. Evil travels back in time to steal superspy Austin Powers's ‘mojo,’ Austin must return to the swingin' '60s himself - with the help of American agent, Felicity Shagwell - to stop the dastardly plan. Once there, Austin faces off against Dr. Evil's army of minions to try to save the world in his own unbelievably groovy way.
Ratings
Curator score: 3.3/10
IMDb: 6.7/10
Letterboxd: 3.33/5
Rotten Tomatoes: 54%
Metacritic: 59
TMDB: 6.3/10
Director
Jay Roach
Production
New Line Cinema, Eric's Boy, Moving Pictures, Team Todd, 3 Arts Entertainment
Cast
Mike Myers, Heather Graham, Verne Troyer, Michael York, Robert Wagner, Seth Green, Mindy Sterling, Will Ferrell, Elizabeth Hurley, Rob Lowe, Gia Carides, Oliver Muirhead, George Cheung, Jeffrey Meng, Muse Watson, Scott Cooper, Douglas Fisher, Kevin Cooney, Clint Howard, Brian Hooks
Curator Review
Verdict
A very broad, very quotable sequel that doubles down on the first film’s silliness with bigger set pieces, more character bits, and a stronger villain sidekick dynamic. It’s funniest when it commits to absurdity and pop-culture parody, but the repetition can feel like reheated leftovers if you want sharper plotting or fresher jokes.
Best for
fans of broad late-90s studio comedies
viewers who like spy-movie parody and catchphrase humor
people who enjoy highly quotable, intentionally stupid comedy
audiences in the mood for nostalgia-driven slapstick
Skip if
you want tightly written satire
you dislike repetitive running gags
you prefer subtle or character-driven comedy
you’re already tired of 1960s/James Bond spoofing
Overview
The Spy Who Shagged Me is the kind of sequel that knows exactly what its audience came for and then turns the volume up. It leans hard into the franchise’s most durable pleasures: outrageous costumes, groan-worthy innuendo, and Mike Myers playing multiple comic personas with total commitment. The result is less inventive than the first film, but often looser and more confident in its own stupidity.
Worth noting
What works best is the villain material. Dr. Evil and Mini-Me give the movie a stronger comic engine than the plot itself, and the film keeps finding ways to wring laughs from their absurd relationship. The time-travel setup also gives the movie permission to be even more shamelessly retro, which suits the spoof format well.
Bottom line
Still, the movie can feel like a remix rather than a reinvention. If you’re not already on board with the catchphrases, sexual gags, and broad caricatures, the repetition may wear thin. But if you want a big, dumb, highly quotable studio comedy from the late ’90s, it delivers exactly that.
Top Letterboxd reviews
mia lee vicino (3.5★) · 2734 likes
ok Letterboxd here’s the issue i’m having ... so, i rewatched International Man of Mystery last week and gave it 3 1/2 stars. but upon my rewatch of The Spy Who Shagged Me, i’ve determined it’s better than the first because:
1. doesn’t have to waste time establishing the character of Austin Powers, thus launching us directly into the goofiness
2. the Dr. Evil x Mini-Me dynamic <333
3. multiple musical numbers ... more non-musicals should try this out ...… more ok Letterboxd here’s the issue i’m having ... so, i rewatched International Man of Mystery last week and gave it 3 1/2 stars. but upon my rewatch of The Spy Who Shagged Me, i’ve determined it’s better than the first because:
1. doesn’t have to waste time establishing the character of Austin Powers, thus launching us directly into the goofiness
2. the Dr. Evil x Mini-Me dynamic <333
3. multiple musical numbers ... more non-musicals should try this out ...… more
megan (4★) · 1861 likes
lowkey had a crush on scott evil with his blue hair and his two (2) earrings
JT (3.5★) · 1363 likes
austin powers 4 2021 post-covid:
- dr evil creates the coronavirus and names it after the beer- “i’m on tinder, baby!”- austin powers gets canceled but ultimately learns that woke culture is very “groovy”- with the power of cgi, bigger me replaces mini me and holds dr evil in his hands and carries him around- dedicated to verne troyer is the first end credit- dr evil on donald trump: “and i thought i was frickin evil”- mike myers plays a brand new character that does one of the fortnite dances- “ladies and gentlemen, mr. travis scott!”
Joel Haver (3.5★) · 690 likes
More sequels need to bring their villains back by means of Jerry Springer.
mrbalihai (3★) · 623 likes
Congrats to Jeff Bezos for riding his penis-shaped rocket into space, just like his hero, Dr. Evil.