“We are in 50 BC. All of Gaul is occupied by the Romans… All of it? No ! Because a village populated by indomitable Gauls resists the invader. And life is not easy for the garrisons of Roman legionaries in the entrenched camps of Babaorum, Aquarium, Laudanum and Petibonum…”
You know the song, we’re sure. So here we are back in Gaul with the new feature film by Guillaume Canet. This time, heading to China. The director did not hesitate to bring out the heavy artillery for the new adventures of the two Gauls adored by the French. But behind its 5-star cast and true-to-comics aesthetic, Asterix and Obelix: The Middle Kingdom sounds hollow.
The shadow of the resounding success ofAsterix and Obelix: Mission Cleopatra still hangs over the saga. The desire to repeat the feat achieved by Alain Chabat in 2002 is obviously there. But it’s far from enough for this new opus. Twenty years later and eleven years after its last opus, the saga is on the decline. And The middle Empire is not about to raise it.
Head to China
Let’s first take a look at the synopsis ofAsterix and Obelix: The Middle Kingdom. For the very first time, we are entitled to an original scenario and not to an adaptation of one of the albums ofAsterix and Obelix. An opportunity that could bring new life…
While the Empress of China is the victim of a coup, her daughter, Princess Fu Yi, goes to the famous village of our favorite Gauls to ask them for help. Of course, our brave warriors agree to go to China to free the Empress and restore order.
In this long journey which has some great adventures in store for them, Princess Fu Yi, Asterix and Obelix are not alone. Idéfix is, of course, in the game. There is also Tat Han, who protects the princess, and Graindemaïs, a Phoenician merchant who poses as a Gaul for his business.
All in all, Asterix and Obelix: The Middle Kingdom follows a solid roadmap. The narrative scheme does not deviate from the straight path: initial situation, disturbing element, adventures, outcome and final situation. We can’t lie: the recipe works. Family film par excellence, this new opus of the adventures of Asterix and Obelix in the cinema should seduce children… But a little less the older ones.
Despite an original script, which offers a certain freedom, the film does not manage to take advantage of it. Its characters as the stakes of the plot struggle to be deepened during the two hours. Asterix and Obelix: The Middle Kingdom confines itself to its role as a family film which does not necessarily go any further. Nevertheless, there is a certain poetry in the very childish personalities of the heroes but it is not really revealed until the conclusion. A bit late, unfortunately.
Bringing our favorite Gauls to China is also an opportunity to pay tribute to Asian culture. Fights oblige, some scenes ofAsterix and Obelix: The Middle Kingdom send us back to the cult martial arts films led, beating drums, by Bruce Lee or Jackie Chan. Something to tickle fans of the genre.
Casting on steroids
In addition to an original screenplay, Asterix and Obelix: The Middle Kingdom is the first film in the cinematographic saga without Gérard Depardieu in the role of the coated Gaul. The good news is that Gilles Lellouche succeeded in taking up the torch brilliantly. If Gérard Depardieu was a born Obélix, Lellouche’s interpretation is relevant. Whether in his way of expressing himself or his facial expressions, we find the Obélix we adore. It’s already a good point.
For his part, Guillaume Canet manages to proudly wear the costume of the little hero with the winged helmet. Without being a catastrophic interpretation, it is not particularly striking. Consequently, it is far from being at the level of that of Christian Clavier in past opuses.
In this new adventure, Jonathan Cohen wins a place of choice. The one who makes all of France laugh could only be present in this comedy event. Without it being indigestion, the actor remains on what he knows. We like it or we don’t like it. But it would be a question of not pulling too much on the rope…
Decidedly, Guillaume Canet has put the package for this film. Think of all the popular celebrities. Its good ? There you go, they are all in Asterix and Obelix: The Middle Kingdom. We would like to exaggerate (and we are surely magnifying the line a little, we grant you that) but it is the truth. No wonder the film’s budget is colossal. Rappers, influencers or sportsmen acclaimed on social networks, they are almost all there. But the problem is that they are rappers, influencers or sportsmen. Not actors.
So yes, Jonathan Cohen is in the game, Vincent Cassel plays Julius Caesar, Angèle makes an appearance and there is even McFly and Carlito on the side of the Romans. But not enough to cheer us up really. Because a beautiful poster is not everything. If we are not witnessing a total sinking, we have our feet in the water in this boat. However, we imagine that the youngest should savor this handpicked cast.
Between major players who are not necessarily convinced and big names who are not in the business (and it shows), the distribution ofAsterix and Obelix: The Middle Kingdom leaves a bitter taste in the mouth.
A sip of magic potion, please?
What made the phenomenal success ofAsterix and Obelix: Mission Cleopatra, it’s his humor and the quality of the writing of the gags. Today, the scenes of Alain Chabat’s film are cult. Some even know Édouard Baer’s monologue by heart (don’t judge them). Unfortunately for The middle Empireit does not come close to him.
If you want subtlety, you can always run. We see the floodgates arrive from miles away and that is our big criticism of the film. We would surely have liked a second reading for spectators who are over 15 years old. Of course, a few jokes and puns make us smile. Even a sincere laugh. But they can be counted on the fingers of one hand. For a comedy, it’s a shame. Especially since the best jokes of the films are already in the trailers.
The mayonnaise does not take because everything seems forced. The rhythm of the jokes is far too frantic and it is difficult to breathe between two (attempts to) valves. The film absolutely wants to make us laugh. At all costs. And there is no worse to have the opposite effect.
© Pathé
Finally, if we laugh, it’s more embarrassment. “No, they didn’t dare anyway?” can we wonder several times during the viewing. Well yes, they dared. And that almost made us want to (Guillaume) Canet.
The universe of Asterix and Obelix respected
Fans of the heroes of Goscinny and Uderzo should still find their way there. The decorations ofAsterix and Obelix: The Middle Kingdom are beautiful and faithful to the universe of the original comic strip. We find the village as we have known it for decades. Likewise, all the characters shine in quality costumes and this is worth highlighting.
So, visually, Asterix and Obelix: The Middle Kingdom is up to it. Similarly, the special effects of the film are elaborate and perfectly respect the universe that has accompanied several generations. We note in particular the scenes when Asterix’s feelings of love are too strong and the wings of his helmet get carried away.
Verdict: can (really) do better
Whether Asterix and Obelix: The Middle Kingdom is not the disaster we feared, the film is not a pleasant surprise. It’s (very) average. And that’s a shame. Visually, it’s pretty cool. The costumes of the characters, the sets… There are good elements.
The synopsis, although very classic, is not to be forgotten either. But everything rings hollow. Like the helmet of the Romans. A little subtlety and more elaborate jokes would have been appreciated. The stars of the moment and the JUL sign, that doesn’t make a film. Asterix and Obelix: The Middle Kingdom lets himself be looked at but there is a good chance that he will be quickly forgotten.
