★Astérix & Obélix contre César (1999) DVD★

Director : Claude Zidi                                 

actors : Christian Clavier, Gérard Depardieu, Roberto Benigni 

Subtitles : English, Korean, French

【Storyline or Review】

# 3 wins & 1 nomination. 

e well-known little village from the Asterix and Obelix-comic books is in trouble: It is the last place not controlled by Rome. When Tax collector Claudius Incorruptus does not get his money from the villagers, Julius Caesar himself comes to the place to see what's so special about their resistance. A special magic potion, prepared by the village's druid, gives incredible power to those who drink it. And Obelix, who fell into the pot as a child has been invincible ever since. With the help of Tullius Destructivus, an intrigeur, the Romans try to get Obelix and the druid into their hands in order to wipe the little village off the map, when the last potion of it's stock has been used up. But each individual also has some plans of his own... 

# Astérix & Obélix contre César (1999) User Review

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

First when Asterix and Obelix were introduced to me, I had never thought about a potion that gives super-strength. A town, unconquered by the brutality of Julius Caesar, here portrayed as a more calm and sensible man, but still with the integrity. The way the Gauls attack the Romans, is indeed a funny one: They like attack after the potion of strength, and simply makes a brutal war, seem like slapstick comedy. These are just elements of what makes this, a great chain of comic-books. I have read most of them, and to me-- When in the cinema at the small age I was... Completely blown away by the effects, the scenery and the way Asterix and Obelix was portrayed. It was like reading the comic, and experience it unfolds before your very eyes.

The whole concept of the stories centering around this little town of the Gauls, is that they are the last part of France, to be conquered by Julius Caesar. In the comic, he is simply annoyed by the fact, that a small town of invincible Gauls, is the last stand for him to have complete control over all of France. In this world, magic does exist, and frigging Aliens (The latest comic, was absurdly bad in my eyes-- But hey, I am not here to review them). The Gauls have a Wizard, that brew together a potion that gives The Gauls their invincibility. There is at times in the comic were this is attempted to rob them of it. To use for The Romans. Caesar have that obsession... and it's hilarious. A band of pirates is recurring characters, and always Asterix and Obelix meet on them on one of their journeys. It always ends with their, having their boat sunk. Mainly because of what occur with the Pirates and our heroes - The protagonists. There is many more things to mention, like the troubadour in the town, that makes heart wrenchingly awful songs. The rivalry between the smith and the fisher. Mostly over the "freshness" of the fish. But I need more space to talk about them.

What the film does right in my views is that it builds upon what is already established in the comics, but shorten them down to fit the film and its limits. The music of film, is magnificent and Epic. Folk song in the medieval spirit, with hints of Irish and German. But most of the inspiration is French, of course. The antagonist in the film is Roberto Benigni, of La vita è bella fame, and soon to become Pinocchio. Here he plays the right man to Caesar, and in the film tries to gain and accomplishes to grab the power of Julius. Asterix is captured and forced to perform Gladiator-like arenas of Death, while a hypnotized Obelix, believing himself to be a Roman Officer is applauding his coming death... Dark indeed. It's a kids film, I don't blame it. Disney does this all the time. The cinematography is at times breath-taking and complete in it's own rights. Then you have to opening sequence, it is is Epic and Majestic. Showcasing the enormous power the Romans had-- And that only being a few people of them riding their horses in the delightful French landscape. One of my favorite sequences of a film of all time. Like also, the Tyrannosaurus Rex scene with the cars in Jurassic Park. Caesar is kidnapped, and held hostage, and saved by both our heroes. It all ends with the standard feast The Galatians have, when they have become Victorious of something, or somewhat. The film have heart and soul, and uses the enigmatic magic of the potion to great effect. 

How the film could have been better than it is: Stretched the length of the film further, involve more uninvolved characters from the village, nor have more scenes with how it is like, living in this village and how it is in Rome. Had more character-depth and so, since I think Asterix and Obelix seems like straight characters, going from point A to point B. There is only the most vital I can come up with. But I am not here, to discuss them at all, just opinions. 

I had very fun, watching this film. I found it on DVD, and could not resist the temptation to buy it. It's that good in my eyes. Then, you have the sequels, and oh my God, shoot me down and call me a horse: Those are lacking what makes Asterix so good. The essence is gone, and replaced with pop-culture references, and it's damn stupid if I must say so indeed. They have like so many errors that you could fill bath-tubes full of what could become better of them. Like in the third one, at the end: With a French famous basketball player making a stupid cameo, no way indeed. I will say this to complete the review: I recommend this strongly, for both the fairly good adaptation and the fact that it makes The Gauls seem like "larger-than-life" heroes of a not so distant past. Epic to the win, for a child film that is. Great film, for all the ages.

The End. 

[Astérix & Obélix contre César (1999) DVD Spec]

Language: French

Menu: English

Subtitles: English / Korean / French

Aspect Ratio: 16:9 Wide Screen

Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1

Region: All Regions 

Length: 105mins