Asterix and Obelix leave for yet another adventure, this time saving the Empress of China. Along the way, they’ll bump into Romans, slap pirates, and it all ends in a merry banquet, as it should be. Among others…
The middle Empire, directed by Guillaume Canet, was eagerly awaited. It must be said that the bet was risky, and high: it is said that it would be one of the most expensive films in the history of French cinema. Fruit of an original story, created from scratch, with a new cast (read: without Gérard Depardieu), far from certain. More puzzling, you die, or find yourself in front of the big mustachioed guy who fell into a pot when he was little…
And yet. Let’s be frank: the result is far from being the announced catastrophe. Quite the opposite, in fact: we have rather a pleasant surprise, a film from which we come out with a smile on our faces, with all sorts of gags, winks, double meanings and other puns in mind (like French films in have the secret), to tell later to the friends. Even if not, we know, it will not necessarily go down in history. Not like the cult Asterix and Cleopatralet’s say.
But after the very average Asterix at the Olympicswhich had literally discouraged us from the whole project, it’s going quite well.
Nevertheless. From here, we hear the critics of France crying out for heresy. And it’s fair game. Where traditions are popular, we can understand that this mega-production and its skewer of big names who smell like money on their nose will not necessarily please everyone.
But there is no need to sulk your pleasure. Because. The story holds up quite the (silk) road and keeps us in a known universe, even if it’s a bit linear and obviously predictable. But which Asterix was not?
Note the delicious narration, entrusted to Gérard Darmon, Amonbofis in another life, a very happy choice. With the bonus of a little touch of modernity (Asterix who wants to reduce his consumption of drink and lighten his diet) and above all of feminism. Finally, strong female characters arrive here: we think of the empress, the princess, but especially her bodyguard (Tat Han, with the priceless first name).
Speaking of first names, impossible to ignore all the good moves (Biopix, Épidemaïs, Deng Tsin Qin, without forgetting Remix), we still laugh at them. And all these judicious cameos: Pierre Richard in Panoramix (we would have taken more!), Philippe Katerine in bard, Angèle in Falbala, Zlatan Ibrahimovic in Antivirus, M in Remix (again him, we can’t get over it), and so many others.
Is that too much? Without a doubt. Does it work and is it surprising? Certainly !
As for the main characters, and even if we feared the worst, it is clear that Gilles Lellouche fits Obélix’s shoes very well, with a look and a pout that immediately seduce. And Guillaume Canet, although a bit more subdued, also makes an excellent Asterix. Our two Gauls are friends in life and their complicity shines through.
Special mention to the excellent Caesar (finally a sympathetic Caesar, even vulnerable, by the very good Vincent Cassel), although his Cleopatra laughs a little out of tune for our taste (Marion Cotillard).
A word to finish on the excellent soundtrack, signed you know who (Remix, by Toutatis!), which gives rhythm to a production that really does not lack it.
Comedy
Asterix and Obelix: The Middle Kingdom
Guillaume Canet
With Guillaume Canet, Gilles Lellouche, Vincent Cassel and many others
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