ASTERIX ET OBELIX CONTRE CESAR (1999)
(ASTERIX AND OBELIX VS. CAESAR) (1999)
A Film Review
Copyright Dragan Antulov 2004
Comic book superheroes are today viewed, rightly or wrongly, as a
strictly American cultural phenomenon. However, even the old
Europe produced Dynamic Duo of its own. In 1959 French comic
book artists Rene Goscinny and Albert Uderzo created Asterix and
Obelix - characters that would soon become immensely popular all
over the world. Less than ten years later, Asterix and Obelix became
protagonists of animated films. Regular feature film adaptation had
to wait much longer. Four decades later, in 1999, French director
Claude Zidi made ASTERIX AND OBELIX VS. CAESAR.
The plot begins in 1st Century BC, shortly after Julius Caeasar (played
by Gottfried John) has forced all Gallic tribes to accept Roman rule.
Only one tiny village, where Asterix (played by Christian Clavier)
and his giant friend Obelix (played by Gerard Depardieu) live,
refuses to pay taxes to Roman invaders. Villagers can afford such
arrogance because of a magic potion produced by Miraculix (played
by Claude Pieplu) that gives them superhuman strength. The effects
of that potion were experienced many times by unfortunate Caius
Bonus (played by Jean-Pierre Castaldi), commander of local Roman
garrison. Miraculix insists that the potion be used for defence only,
but greedy Prolix (played by Daniel Prevost) convinces village chief
Majestix (played by Michael Galabru) to dream about liberating Gaul
and marching on Rome. In the meantime, garrison is inspected by
Caesar himself. Lucius Detritus (played by Roberto Benigni), one of
Caesar's assistants, learns about magic potion and steals its formula.
When Miraculix gets captured, Asterix and Obelix must use all their
ingenuity to liberate him and thus secure peaceful life for their
village.
ASTERIX AND OBELIX VS. CAESAR is one of those films that
couldn't be made without CGI technology. Computer tricks allowed
filmmakers to reconstruct ancient worlds without thousands of extras
and expensive sets. Even with the plot being set in somewhat more
prosaic rural Gaul, this film looks spectacular. Even more impressive
are the scenes in which Asterix and Obelix make a short work of
Roman legions - they are entertaining, spectacular and, at the same
time, true to the humorous spirit of the original comic book. Claude
Zidi, director known for his love of slapstick comedy, puts all that
technological resources to good use.
ASTERIX AND OBELIX VS. CAESAR had less fortune with its cast.
Christian Clavier was perhaps the best known French movie
comedian of late 1990s, but he was hardly suitable for the role of
Asterix. He often turns out to be neurotic and far from cool and
confident protagonist of the original comic book. Benigni is, on the
other hand, too warm-hearted for the role of neurotic villain. Laetitia
Casta, French supermodel and cultural icon, proves that she can't act
in her role of Falbala. Thankfully, Depardieu is much more
convincing as Asterix's giant sidekick while Gottfried John is equally
convincing as one of best known historical characters.
All those who expect serious historical epic are going to be
disappointed with this film. Many of original comic book fans are
going to be infuriated with the usual butchering of the source
material. But those expecting light entertainment are going to be
pleased with ASTERIX AND OBELIX VS. CAESAR. This film shows
that European cinema industry can match Hollywood in producing
screen versions of comic book heroes.
RATING: 5/10 (++)
Review written on August 22nd 2004
Dragan Antulov a.k.a. Drax
http://film.purger.com - Filmske recenzije na hrvatskom/Movie Reviews in
Croatian
http://www.ofcs.org - Online Film Critics Society
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