Comedy. The film adaptation of children's comics by Rene Gosinni and Albert Uderzo and at the same time two cartoons "Asterix in Britain" (one of the best in the entire series) and "Asterix and the Vikings". Well, fellow viewers, here we have reached the fourth part of the famous series about the adventures of the indomitable Gauls. For the first time I watched this creation in the year of its release - and I didn't like it terribly, and now, reviewing it for this review, I realized why I specifically didn't like it then. It's just milking the series and just plain mediocrity. And here's my brief opinion - Going down to the bottom. There were both advantages (surprisingly) and disadvantages (of which, of course, there are more) in this film collection. And with that, I want to finish the introduction as soon as possible, and move on to the analysis of this film plot.
So, the advantages: 1. Graphinosto - in terms of special effects, this part has become much better than Asterix at the Olympic Games. It is clear that even more money was spent on the technical component. Moreover, all these effects look very harmonious here (and not blindly, as before). They are certainly not top class for 2012, but they are well done for their budget.
2. Costumes and decorations - and they were spent on them, and they spent quite a lot. The scenery is reminiscent of ancient Britain (although it is mixed with a modern touch), the costumes - well, it's just madness and a riot of colors. Some Britons with flags of modern Britain are worth something. More or less, only the Roman legions look good here.
That's all with the advantages.
So, the disadvantages: 1. The script - the very idea of mixing two cartoons into one work is no longer the best. And if the main scenario line about the adventures of Asterix and Obelix, who brought a barrel of magic drink to Britain in order to help their British relatives is even more or less normal, then the rest is already a fierce failure. There are no catchy characters, interesting dialogues either, acting is the level of the modern Russian acting school of pig and pebble (and I wasn't joking right now).
2. Logic - so what's going on with the audit from the Senate of Caesar's accounting? What's with the romance of Asterix and Obelix? Why didn't they reveal the topic of the wagon thief (although in the cartoon "Asterix in Britain" they coped with this). Why didn't they take Idefix with them (although he was present in the cartoon). Why can't the Romans take the queen's village in any way, because there are only wooden walls for defense? Did the Romans become stupid too? And there are a lot of questions that no one will give us an answer to. Logic! Ow! Where are you?
3. Caesar - and here the creators should be ashamed of such a Caesar, because Fabrice Luchini certainly does not fit this role. He looks appropriate in the role of kind uncles, to whom they leave their offspring for the weekend, but not Caesar - one of the greatest historical figures, and in this series - the cunning conqueror of Gaul and Britain. When watching it, you experience a real "Spanish shame".
4. Asterix - this role was played by Otis from the second part (who became famous as a very boring character), and here he played no better. His Asterix is a battered veteran of many battles who has been asking for retirement for a long time, but they do not give it to him. Compared to Clovis or Christian Clavier, Asterix here looks like a pale shadow of himself.
5. Humor - yes, there are hints of it here (after all, the whole series is a comedy), but everything is bad here. There were only two almost funny moments in the whole picture, and that's it. Moreover, the level of jokes here is clearly designed for preschool children. There is no irony, no sarcasm (except for one of his attempts), no playing up to modernity (almost none). There's not even anything to remember.
Of course, this work failed miserably both at home and at the global box office. But this did not stop the money-hungry producers, and in 2023 they decided to try themselves with the Chinese market, because the new part was called "Asterix and Obelix: Celestial Empire", and we will find out what happened there next time.
My rating is 4 out of 10, and I do not recommend this movie for viewing!
So, the advantages: 1. Graphinosto - in terms of special effects, this part has become much better than Asterix at the Olympic Games. It is clear that even more money was spent on the technical component. Moreover, all these effects look very harmonious here (and not blindly, as before). They are certainly not top class for 2012, but they are well done for their budget.
2. Costumes and decorations - and they were spent on them, and they spent quite a lot. The scenery is reminiscent of ancient Britain (although it is mixed with a modern touch), the costumes - well, it's just madness and a riot of colors. Some Britons with flags of modern Britain are worth something. More or less, only the Roman legions look good here.
That's all with the advantages.
So, the disadvantages: 1. The script - the very idea of mixing two cartoons into one work is no longer the best. And if the main scenario line about the adventures of Asterix and Obelix, who brought a barrel of magic drink to Britain in order to help their British relatives is even more or less normal, then the rest is already a fierce failure. There are no catchy characters, interesting dialogues either, acting is the level of the modern Russian acting school of pig and pebble (and I wasn't joking right now).
2. Logic - so what's going on with the audit from the Senate of Caesar's accounting? What's with the romance of Asterix and Obelix? Why didn't they reveal the topic of the wagon thief (although in the cartoon "Asterix in Britain" they coped with this). Why didn't they take Idefix with them (although he was present in the cartoon). Why can't the Romans take the queen's village in any way, because there are only wooden walls for defense? Did the Romans become stupid too? And there are a lot of questions that no one will give us an answer to. Logic! Ow! Where are you?
3. Caesar - and here the creators should be ashamed of such a Caesar, because Fabrice Luchini certainly does not fit this role. He looks appropriate in the role of kind uncles, to whom they leave their offspring for the weekend, but not Caesar - one of the greatest historical figures, and in this series - the cunning conqueror of Gaul and Britain. When watching it, you experience a real "Spanish shame".
4. Asterix - this role was played by Otis from the second part (who became famous as a very boring character), and here he played no better. His Asterix is a battered veteran of many battles who has been asking for retirement for a long time, but they do not give it to him. Compared to Clovis or Christian Clavier, Asterix here looks like a pale shadow of himself.
5. Humor - yes, there are hints of it here (after all, the whole series is a comedy), but everything is bad here. There were only two almost funny moments in the whole picture, and that's it. Moreover, the level of jokes here is clearly designed for preschool children. There is no irony, no sarcasm (except for one of his attempts), no playing up to modernity (almost none). There's not even anything to remember.
Of course, this work failed miserably both at home and at the global box office. But this did not stop the money-hungry producers, and in 2023 they decided to try themselves with the Chinese market, because the new part was called "Asterix and Obelix: Celestial Empire", and we will find out what happened there next time.
My rating is 4 out of 10, and I do not recommend this movie for viewing!