Original artwork, not a still
Are they ill-tempered? / Absolutely. / That's a start.
Behind the line
What it means
Our interpretation.
Dr. Evil's standards drop mid-sentence, from sharks with lasers to any fish in a bad mood. 'Ill-tempered' is the only quality he needs, and Number Two's deadpan 'Absolutely' makes the exchange work. Fans use 'That's a start' for settling on a disappointing second best, and the sea bass remain the film's best proof that Dr. Evil's grand schemes run on a thin budget.
Context reviewed
In context
Spoilers for Austin Powers: International Man of MysteryShow the scene
In the shark-tank scene in the lair, Dr. Evil has just been told that his laser sharks cannot be had, and snaps at Number Two to say what they do have. Number Two answers, 'Sea bass.' Pressed, he adds that they are mutated sea bass. Dr. Evil asks whether they are ill-tempered, Number Two says 'Absolutely,' and Dr. Evil, satisfied, says 'That's a start.' He orders the unnecessarily slow-moving dipping mechanism to begin and the tank to be closed, then declines to watch.
Sources (3)
- Wikiquote: Austin Powers: International Man of MysteryDialogue, the shark tank sceneReference checked
- Springfield! Springfield! script: International Man of MysteryShark tank scene, mid-film transcriptReference checked
- Austin Powers Wiki: Number 2Plot notesReference checked
Context reviewed
