Yep. I can see why people liked/watched some of those, but crap like Austin Powers is beyond me. I saw part of the first one after it came out on video. I couldn't figure out what was supposed to be funny. I am a huge comedy fan, but it was just stupid. I overestimated the public when I thought (a) sequel(s) would be bomb(s).
I actually was looking forward to Terminator III until I saw the preview before LOTR. I almost let out an unnatural loud groan when Arnie says, "She'll be back". It will be utter crap, but will make money because you can suck the average person in with special effects even if they suspect it wont be that good of a story.
Frankly, I am finding myself increasingly bored by movie special effects. Most of it is CGI, which I find quite phony looking. The CGI version of Yoda, for example, stinks.
All three Powers films
have to be viewed as in-jokes
or they make no sense.
Each and every scene
is self-parody/homage
to actual, good
films. Watched just as "skits,"
they can be enjoyable.
The credit sequence
in Goldmember is
more entertaining then the
whole rest of the film.
(My least favorite thing
about the films is that if
you listen to the
commentary tracks
on disc, they never explain
the obvious gaffs,
but constantly speak
of the films as if they were
some kind of high art.
I do think some parts
are good, but these guys have their
heads 'way up their butts...)