Astérix & Obélix: Mission Cléopâtre (2002)

User Rating:

6.5/10   

Director:

Alain Chabat

Writers:

René Goscinny (comic book "Astérix et Cléopatre") and
Albert Uderzo (comic book "Astérix et Cléopatre") ...

Release Date:

30 January 2002 (Belgium)

Genre:

Adventure | Comedy | Family | Fantasy

Plot:

Astérix and Obélix go to Egypt to help architect Numérobis who is building a palace for Cleopatra.

Plot Keywords:

Asterix | Architect | Cleopatra | Julius Caesar | Insect

Awards:

1 win & 4 nominations

Cast

Gérard Depardieu	...	Obélix
Christian Clavier	...	Astérix
Jamel Debbouze	...	Numérobis / Edifis
Monica Bellucci	...	Cléopâtre
Alain Chabat	...	Jules César (Julius Caesar)
Claude Rich	...	Panoramix (Miraculix) / Getafix
Gérard Darmon	...	Amonbofis (Pyradonis)
Edouard Baer	...	Otis
Dieudonné	...	Caius Céplus
Mouss Diouf	...	Baba, la vigie des pirates
Marina Foïs	...	Sucettalanis
Bernard Farcy	...	Barbe-Rouge le pirate
Jean Benguigui	...	Malococsis
Michel Crémadès	...	Triple Patte
Jean-Paul Rouve	...	Caius Antivirus

Also Known As:

Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra (Australia) (UK) (USA)
Astérix & Obélix: Au service de Cléopatre (France) (working title)
Asterix & Obelix: Mission Kleopatra (Germany)
Asterix and Obelix Meet Cleopatra (USA) (new title)

MPAA:

Rated PG for language, sensuality and mild violence.

Runtime:

107 min | UK:85 min (cut)

Country:

France | Germany

Language:

French | Arabic | Cantonese | Latin | German

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Malaysia:U | Australia:PG | Portugal:M/6 | South Korea:12 | Argentina:Atp | Finland:K-7 | France:U | Germany:6 | Netherlands:AL (original rating) | Netherlands:MG6 (DVD rating) | Norway:7 | Singapore:PG | Spain:T | Sweden:7 | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | UK:PG | USA:PG | Brazil:Livre

Filming Locations:

Atlas Corporation Studios, Ouarzazate, Morocco

Company:

Canal+

Trivia:

At the time of its release in 2002, its budget of $47 million, or 327,000,000 FRF, was said to make it the costliest French film ever. However, Astérix et Obélix contre César (1999) had a budget of $48 million, or 274,620,000 FRF, which supposedly made it the most expensive French film ever. Accounting for economic variances, either title may earn this dubious recognition.

Goofs:

Continuity: Just before the characters visit the pyramid, first Idefix is sitting on a step of the pyramid, the next shot he sits next to the "portrait".

Movie Connections:

Spoofs Pulp Fiction (1994)

Soundtrack:

I Feel Good

A brilliant comedy

This is definitely a "must see" film. The excellent Director Alain Chabat (also acting as Ceasar) has managed to capture the very essence of the "Adventures of Astérix" (the French comic books it's based upon) and to create a fantastically modern and intelligent comedy, which is also an homage to the world of animated films. This movie is so funny, so full of jokes (both visual and spoken) that it might take you two or three screenings before you notice them all, between your bursts of laughter. The only drawback is that a non-French audience (or at least a non-French speaking audience) might not get all the "private jokes". There are so many dialogues impossible to translate, so many situations directly related either to the comic books or to the French way of life, that the fun might be lessened. However, it's still totally worth seeing for the beautiful picture, the amazing stunts, the music, the totally crazy atmosphere and the excellent acting. All actors are great, but the film would not be the same without Jamel Debouze, Gérard Darmon and Edouard Baer. And please don't EVER compare this magnificent film to the terrible previous one based on the same comic books : "Astérix et Obélix Contre César" and directed by Claude Zidi.