Tom Cruise's character of Austin Powers in Goldmember

Genre: Action and Adventure

In the opening of Goldmember, Tom Cruise who plays Austin Powers is stereotypically portrayed as a spy turned charmer. I think this as Austin Powers is portrayed as a smooth, cool, womaniser and slightly arrogant charmer who begins to seduce Gwyneth Paltrow’s character, Dixi Normus within the first minute and a half of the film. Dixi Normus is an attractive stereotypical ‘air head’ blonde who likes the charm of Austin and his womanizing manner – for example calling her ‘baby’ and holding kissing her hand. She is the classic example of one of the many love interests spy’s such as James Bond and adventurer Indiana Jones take a liking to. Another example of a stereotypical character is Dr Evil, the stereotypical bad guy who is played by Kevin Spacey who wears grey clothes and holds a cat in his arms. He is a parody of Ernst Stavro Blofeld in James Bond. In my opinion, Austin is also portrayed as a Swashbuckler as he is always looking for an extra adventure and adrenaline rush such as parachuting from the sky into a Jaguar sports car, possibly putting his life in danger if performed wrong. The Jaguar sports car is painted in the Great British Union Jack flag as well as being a feature of Tom Cruises characters costume (has a badge of the flag on his belt next to the button for his parachute) therefore making him patriotic to his country and proud to be British.

Austin Powers and Dixi Normus

As well as examples of flirting between Austin and Dixi in the opening of the film, suspense, jeopardy as well as combat is a key feature of the beginning of the film. For example:

1.       There is gun shots and fire from the helicopter and Jaguar car Austin is driving

2.       Austin parachutes out of the sky, aiming for a tiny target on the earth (Jaguar car which is self-driving as it is a spy car connected to Austin’s ‘hero’ button on his belt) – this creates suspense as you are not sure whether he will do it or not

3.       Austin blows up the flying helicopter which is chasing Dixi Normus on her motor bike as well as Austin in his flash sports car. Austin blows it up by shooting up into the air and shooting profusely at it consequently blowing it up in flames.

4.       A danger to Austin is the gun shots and fire, he is putting his life in danger as he is driving the Jaguar sports car extremely fast and explodes a helicopter - a large, fuel powered object that could easily blow up in flames if used as a target.

Examples of gene codes, conventions and sound codes:

1.       Use of action and adventure music – fast paced computer technical music

2.       Fast pace cars with loud engines

3.       Loud, gun shots with powerful and explosive firing

4.       Having a stereotypical ‘air head’ blonde who likes the charm of Austin and his womanizing manner