Review of Asterix & Obelix: The Middle Kingdom

Our review of the 2023 Netflix film Asterix & Obelix: The Middle Kingdom contains no significant spoilers.

Asterix and Obelix: The Middle Kingdom is a film based on the famous French duo who first appeared in René Goscinny’s 1959 comic Asterix the Gaul.

In this modern adaptation, the two return to the big screen to embark on a new adventure, finding friends and foes along the way.

Asterix & Obelix: The Middle Kingdom review and plot synopsis

We write the year 50 BC. and Asterix and Obelix live in a remote village that has not yet been conquered by the Romans. One day her friend Graindemaïs appears after returning from China with Princess Sa See, daughter of a Chinese empress, and helping her escape from a malevolent prince who is after her.

In order to protect her mother’s kingdom from being conquered by princes who want to secretly take over the country, she travels back to her homeland with Asterix, Obelix and a group of Gauls to save the area.

Asterix and Obelix The Middle Kingdom The greatest strengths are costume design, cinematography and visual effects. Wardrobe choices reflect the looks of each character portrayed in the comics, accompanied by stunning film locations that embody the era depicted.

In addition, the visual effects used during the battle sequences are impressive and among the best moments during the 112-minute runtime.

While the film is visually superb, many scenes are nonsensical, lengthy, and accompanied by childish humor and songs that are completely out of place. The year is 50 B.C. BC, but there is a cover version of queen “We Will Rock You” is introduced, only this time the lyrics have been changed to encourage laughs.

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Jennifer Warnes and Billy Medley’s “(I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life” is also sung during a skit, coupled with a far-fetched re-enactment of a dance move Dirty dancing.

Are the Gauls fans of the 80’s movie which didn’t already exist in the timeline the movie captures? It doesn’t make any sense, and references to iconic movie scenes and hits seem thrown in due to a weak script to somehow resonate with audiences.

As someone reading this Asterix and Obelix comics and watched the 1999 film Asterix and Obelix against CaesarAsterix’s portrayal in this live-action remake differs from his personality portrayed in previous works.

Instead, he is portrayed as “the village idiot” who lacks courage, and his dark personality is distracting. Obelix follows the source material more closely, but the two seem disjointed.

Vincent Kassel shines like Caesar and despite limited screen time, Marion Cotilard amazed as Cleopatra. But the biggest surprise is a cameo appearance by the Swedish soccer player Zlatan Ibrahimovi?. So why is he there? Asterix and Obelix: The Middle Kingdom? I don’t know, but he doesn’t feel out of place in a film this over the top.

Is Asterix & Obelix: The Middle Kingdom good or bad?

Apart from the attractive looks and the good performances of Cassel and Cotillard, there is nothing special Asterix and Obelix: The Middle Kingdomwhich is let down by a bad script.

Offbeat sequences and humor are used to create fun and creative material, but instead it ends in a chaotic, unfunny disaster.

Is Asterix & Obelix: The Middle Kingdom worth seeing?

if you are one Asterix and Obelix If you’re a superfan and don’t mind unrealistic, over-the-top fun, this movie might just be for you. However, if you’re a casual fan or a newbie, this mediocre flick isn’t worth the time investment.

What do you think of the 2023 Netflix film Asterix & Obelix: The Middle Kingdom? Comment below.

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