Following in the footsteps of Claude Zidi, Alain Chabat, Thomas Langmann and Laurent Tirard, Guillaume Canet has taken up the challenge of transposing the world ofAsterix and Obelix to the silver screen. The latest feature film dedicated to the adventures of our favorite Gauls,"Asterix and Obelix: The Middle Kingdom" is broadcast for the first time on television, this Friday, September 22, at 10.30pm, on Canal+.
The film has made a name for itself thanks to its impressive cast. The cast ofAsterix and Obelix: The Middle Kingdom rivals that of 2008'sAsterix and Obelix at the Olympic Games, which featured the likes of Zinédine Zidane, Michael Schumacher and Tony Parker. In addition to Guillaume Canet and Gilles Lellouche in the title roles, the film stars Vincent Cassel, Jonathan Cohen, Marion Cotillard, Ramzy Bedia, José Garcia, Manu Payet, Pierre Richard, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Orelsan, Biglo et Oli, Angèle, Franck Gastambide, McFly et Carlito and many others.
In this new adventure, the two Gauls find themselves in China, to help the empress and her daughter, victims of a coup d'état. If you're familiar with the comic strip, or at least with previous film adaptations, you won't be surprised. Visually, the film is appropriately ambitious, costing over 65 million euros and making it one of the most expensive French films of the year, with action scenes inspired by Ang Lee's Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
However, the Middle Kingdom doesn't seem to be able to halt the decline in quality ofAsterix and Obelix adaptations. SinceAlain Chabat's Mission Cléopatre, which has since become a cult hit, all adaptations have tried to reproduce the recipe, without success. This new opus is no exception to the rule, resembling its predecessor without ever reaching its level.
The film's humor, which is rather ponderous, rarely hits the mark, and makes you want to gasp in exasperation, even if many will appreciate the spectacular scenes and the cast. As is traditional in Asterix and Obelix films, the festival of star cameos is once again immense. The problem is that every secondary role is played by a star, not an actor, and it shows here. Seeing the faces of Orelsan, Angèle or Zlatan Ibrahimovic may make you smile, but it's a reminder that acting is a profession that can't always be improvised. The film as a whole suffers from flat acting that is unfortunately often off the mark... Even the main protagonists are underwhelming... Gilles Lellouche replicates Gérard Depardieu 's score as Obélix, and Guillaume Canet tries to make the character of Asterix his own, but it's not very convincing. Special mention must go to Jonathan Cohen, the real strength of the film, who manages to provoke laughter at key moments, and to Vincent Cassel, perfect in the role of Julius Caesar.
In short, Asterix and Obelix, The Middle Kingdom is sure to draw in the crowds, who will appreciate an ambitious spectacle as is the case with every comic-book adaptation, but the result is also likely to disappoint many viewers.
Films Incontournables UGC 2025: the best films of 2024 back in cinemas for €5
Les Films Incontournables UGC is aptly named, as it features the best films of the past year. The new edition of this must-see event takes place from January 15 to 28, 2025 in fifteen cinemas in the Paris region. Good news: tickets are only 5 euros. It's also an opportunity to meet and talk with some of the directors. Here's the program! [Read more]
Not sure which film to see today? Well, we've got plenty of films to show near you. [Read more]
Dates and Opening Time
Starts September 15, 2023
Films Incontournables UGC 2025: the best films of 2024 back in cinemas for €5
Cinema: which film to see today, this Sunday December 22, 2024?
