The film follows the adventures of Austin Powers (played by Mike Myers), a swinging British secret agent from the 1960s who is cryogenically frozen and thawed out in the 1990s to stop his arch-nemesis, Dr. Evil (also played by Mike Myers), from taking over the world.
Upon his return, Austin teams up with Vanessa Kensington (played by Elizabeth Hurley), the daughter of his former partner, to stop Dr. Evil’s nefarious plans. Dr. Evil, along with his henchmen Number Two (played by Robert Wagner) and Frau Farbissina (played by Mindy Sterling), threatens to unleash a nuclear weapon on major cities unless he receives a ransom of one million dollars.
As Austin and Vanessa race against time to thwart Dr. Evil’s schemes, they encounter a series of challenges and obstacles, including deadly assassins, seductive femme fatales, and outrageous gadgets. Along the way, Austin must also adjust to life in the 1990s and navigate the cultural differences between his era and the modern world.
In the climax of the film, Austin infiltrates Dr. Evil’s secret lair and engages in a comedic showdown with his nemesis. With the help of Vanessa and his trusty mojo, Austin manages to outwit Dr. Evil and save the world from destruction.
In the end, Austin and Vanessa celebrate their victory and share a romantic moment together. However, their happiness is short-lived when Dr. Evil escapes and vows to return for revenge in future sequels.
“Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery” is praised for its clever parody of 1960s spy films, over-the-top humor, and memorable characters. It became a cult classic and spawned two successful sequels, cementing Mike Myers’ status as a comedy icon.