Mike Myers had everything going against him going into “The Love Guru.” He’d been absent from the big screen for five years, last working on “The Cat in the Hat” in 2003 to settle a lawsuit between him a Universal, cashing in on the “Shrek” franchise. The previews for “Guru” was uninspiring to say the least.

But surprisingly, “The Love Guru” is actually a funny flick, and sees Myers return to the comedy that he’s does best through the years.

Myers is Guru Pitka, an American who has been raised in India and become a self-help expert. He’s second to Deepak Chopra, and wants nothing more to become the number one self-help guru and make an appearance on Oprah. So when Toronto Maple Leafs star Darren Roanoke (Romany Malco) loses his focus on the ice after his wife leaves him for rival goalie Jacques “Le Coq” Grande (Justin Timberlake), owner Jane Bullard (Jessica Alba) hires Pitka to help Roanoke.

The movie opens with an introduction featuring a voice-over cameo by Morgan Freeman, mocking his typical role in movies. Myers nails it with this first joke, immediately setting the tone for the rest of the movie. What follows is an intro to Ronaoke through sportscasters played by Jim Gaffigan and Stephen Colbert. Myers comes out of the gate firing with the jokes, and while they are the epitome of lowbrow (Timberlake’s character is notorious for his rather large endowment), they deliver the laughs. He clearly has a penchant for the male anatomy, as the majority of jokes are based on it.

Myers includes his tried and true deluge of celebrity cameos including those from Jessica Simpson, Val Kilmer and Mariska Hargitay (which comes a little too early given the context). There’s also an appearance by Kanye West and Myers appearing as himself which is a great throwback to their appearance on the Hurricane Katrina benefit show.

But for every joke that hits the spot, there are at least three that don’t. It’s obvious that Myers has abided by the adage of throwing enough shit at the wall and hoping that some sticks, but it’s painful when something doesn’t. For example, Myers employs the same “Turn your head and cough!” joke he used in the third “Austin Powers.” For those who haven’t seen the latter, it will be funny now. But for those who have followed his career might feel like he’s merely recycling material. That’s not to say, however, that the subtle throwback to the first “Wayne’s World” isn’t nearly perfect.

So while “The Love Guru” isn’t near the comedic powerhouse that was the “Austin Powers” franchise, it’s obvious that Myers poured his heart and soul into this movie and he’s clearly having a blast, as the Guru Pitka continually laughs at his own jokes.

Try not to think too hard.

You just might find yourself laughing along with the Guru.

[xxr rating=3/5]