THE INFORMATION on: `Austin Powers: The Spy Who...'

What Is It?

Oh be-have. It is, of course, the sequel to Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery, the spy-movie spoof with more sight gags and smutty jokes than Austin has hairs on his very bushy chest. More of the same? Yeah, baby - but without Liz Hurley - who puts in only a small cameo appearance at the beginning.

Who's In it?

Mike Myers (near right), mainly, with roles as both the shagadelic hero and his arch-enemy, Dr Evil, as well as a cameo as a Scottish security guard, Fat Bastard. Heather Graham (far right) as Felicity Shagwell, and Michael York and Rob Lowe get the best of the leftovers.

What They Say About It

"The writing is so slapdash and uneven that long stretches barely register as comedy at all... but if we've got to have junk - and that seems non- negotiable - then let it be junk as lively and ludicrous as this," Anthony Quinn, The Independent.

"The gag-density of Austin Powers is really extraordinary. Not a five-second stretch is allowed to spool past without a nugget of comedy. The achievement of Mike Myers, though, is that he often goes into a kind of comedy nirvana which is beyond material," Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian.

"First time around, the dayglo psychedelia, kitschy costumes, dated dialogue and Myers' inanely optimistic Powers were fresh. Here, with the toilet humour and tiresome repetition, everything is depressingly stale," Geoff Andrew, Time Out.

Where You Can See It

Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me is on general release.