So it appears that Mike Myers’ The Love Guru has greatly underwhelmed both critics and audiences. Out of the country when the movie opened, I caught up on the bad press when I returned. It’s all too bad, really; Myers’ Austin Powers character is forever linked with summer for me, so I had been looking forward enjoying a similar carefree laugh-along, this time starring the Guru Pitka. Maybe it’ll play better on DVD?

Instead, let’s remember a happier cinematic time by rewinding to 1999. The second Austin Powers installment, The Spy Who Shagged Me, was in theaters, and Madonna was dazzling many with the soundtrack hit, “Beautiful Stranger.” The William Orbit-produced track reached #19 on the Billboard Hot 100 (excellent standing for an airplay-only single), and spent two weeks atop the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart.

Brett Ratner directed the groovy, candy-colored video, which was everywhere I went (read: danced, drank) that summer. Madge never looked better (those arms!) and the incorporation of the Powers’ character in the clip made it doubly worth the watch:

Madonna and Orbit took home a Grammy Award in 2000 for “Beautiful Stranger,” while the video was honored with an MTV Video Music Award.

For any Austin Powers aficionados out there, Mike Myers is considering a fourth installment. If it happens, I hope the International Man of Mystery’s return is slated for a summer slot.