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ASTERIX AT THE OLYMPICS (Astérix aux jeux olympiques)

With Gérard Depardieu, Benoît Poelvoorde, Clovis Cornillac, Alain Delon, Vanessa Hessler, Franck Dubosc, José Garcia, Jean-Pierre Cassel

Written by Thomas Langmann, Olivier Dazat, Alexandre Charlot, Franck Magnier based on the comic book by René Goscinny & Albert Uderzo

Directed by Frédéric Forestier & Thomas Langmann

The legendary Asterix comic books have come along for many decades. We even had ones translated into Afrikaans here in South Africa in the 1970s. (For those new to these characters, Asterix is the diminutive Gaul character in the last French village outpost not yet conquered by the Romans - their advantage being the special potion concocted by Getafix (bestowing the villagers with super strength, kicking Roman butt all over the place).
Without taking itself seriously in the least, this second French-made live action version is special-effect laden madness. One of the Gaul villagers has fallen for a beautiful Greek princess - but the ponce Brutus wants her hand. So, the Gauls and Romans come up against each other in Olympic events to decide who gets to marry her. A lot of fun, mayhem and cartoon-styled violence is the result, and may entertain the kids. The dubbing into English is a bit crappy, but not many kids will watch this with English subtitles!
Depardieu has fun as the balloon-shaped, powerful Obelix, while Asterix is not small enough for my liking.
I couldn't help but be reminded of Benoît Poelvoorde (playing Brutus) in his very different Man Bites Dog character(!). The legendary Alain Delon plays Caesar, while some real sports heroes also get thrown in.

2 / C
- Paul Blom


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A: Multiple Viewing Potential
B: Deserves Another Look
C: Once Should Suffice

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