Asterix and Obelix vs. Caesar Poster

Asterix and Obelix vs. Caesar (1999)

Adventure | Family 
Rayting:   5.9/10 39.8K votes
Country: France | Italy
Language: French | German
Release date: 25 March 1999

Inhabitants of the last unconquered village in Gaul (ancient France) use a magical potion to hold their independence from Roman invaders.

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User Reviews

rcuppen79 6 March 2001

I've always been a big fan of the Asterix-comics, but I wasn't thrilled when I heard they were filming a live-action movie. I wasn't expecting much of this movie because most comic adaptations fail horribly. And this comic-adaptation is no different. Asterix is one of the best and most popular comics in Europe and a live-action movie would be the next step. But Asterix deserved a better movie than this one. "Asterix et Obelix contre Cesar" is not a bad movie, but as an adaptation from the comic it failed miserably. The story is just a mix of a few comics from Asterix. This makes it a poorly told story and it's rarely original. However, the makers did spend a lot of time on the art-direction, which is superb. Also the make-up is ok, and Jean-Jacques Goldman's opening number is brilliant. The special-effects are ok, but you can clearly see they came out of a computer. The acting is good or bad. Christian Clavier is ok as Asterix, but Gerard Depardieu wasn't at all convincing as Obelix and made it easy on himself by just playing a big teddy-bear. The movie is not as funny as the comics and there some things where the film is different from the comics. That's why I think that this movie is a poor adaptation of the comic. I hope the next Asterix-movie will be better.

thegarf 4 February 1999

Fmovies: Why this title? Simple. A friend of mine invited me to a premiere of this movie, last Monday. We do not consider ourselves as cinemaniacs, but we both know a lot about what has been done these last 40 years. And I'm forced to say that "Asterix and Obelix, the movie" is pulling the global level downwards.

It's always a challenge to adapt a successful comic for the big screen. Many tried and failed (see Lucky Luke, Spawn, etc... only to name the most recent). My opinion is that this movie could have reached its target if Christian Clavier hadn't been involved.

First of all : Asterix, played by Clavier, is far from being funny, intelligent and mischievous like in the comics. The character we see is mainly over-excited, he is as dumb as his nice-but-not-too-bright friend Obelix. And you just can't stand this voice when you've heard Pierre Tornade's interpretation in the cartoon versions....

Next comes Obelix, interpreted by Depardieu. It's curious when you say it, but the character is far too clever. And like Asterix, they talk a lot and don't laugh enough.

Caesar... well, the usual bad guy.

FInally let's turn to the story. It has some interest, but not many efforts have been made to involve the audience. It looks like a shapeless compendium of 2 or 3 comic books,with a strange beginning and a weak end. In between : the vast silence of lack of imagination. Many interesting things could have rose from it all, but everything drowns under the flood of pitiful puns and wordplays... Where are the beautiful views of roman cities, all Goscinny's irony about military states and administrative zeal ???

Oh, I almost forgot the sexy girl, Laetitia Casta... believe me, she was born to be photographed but definitely NOT to act !!! I'm sure all you english-speaking viewers will hear a nice voice after the sound dubbing : remember the French had to deal with the sleepy, boring and un-talented Laetitia. God, forgive her because she doesn't understand what she says...

One phrase to say it all : better buy the comic books collection. This way you'll be sure to have a lot of fun. Or have a look at the films (especially with the Brittons... :))

Quintius 17 May 2005

I thought this production had the best of both worlds in capturing the spirit of the original comic strip as best as could be achieved by a movie, but adding the extra ingredients of three lovely comic performances from Clavier, Depardieu and Benigni. The plot is made up of several strands from different Asterix story lines, but holds together very well. I saw it originally dubbed in English, but prefer the original French, Clavier and Depardieu dubbed just doesn't work for me! Suitable for all ages, my six year old daughter loves it, although one or two scenes might be a bit scary, particularly if you don't like spiders!

palaste 25 May 2000

Asterix and Obelix vs. Caesar fmovies. I, not being a fan of live-action movies based on cartoons or comics, didn't expect much of this film. "At least it's made by the French, as were the comics", I thought. The film, however, turned out to be pretty good. The actors did their jobs well and actually managed to look like the original Gauls and Romans I've grown to love. The special effects were impressive, especially the effect of the magic potion. The plot didn't follow any particular album, instead it was a mix-match of several album stories, with a little of its own thrown in. In my opinion, they didn't focus on certain albums enough. The main story, however, was very good. My only real complaint is the portrayal of the Roman legions. The Italian accent they spoke in was needless, because the Italian language wasn't around in 50 BC. And they should dress in green, not red! I recommend this movie to all fans of the Asterix comics. This is what live-action movies about cartoons should be like, which is more than I can say for many Disney movies.

dr_foreman 8 April 2002

When I was a little kid, my Dad picked up a copy of The Twelve Tasks of Asterix at the local video store. Oh, happy day! I've been completely enamored with Asterix and his adventures ever since.

The wily little Gaul first appeared in 1959, in a French children's magazine, and gradually his creators – Rene Goscinny and Albert Uderzo –built him up into a national phenomenon. Asterix has his own cartoons, his own theme park, and now his own big-budget movies (a pair of the most expensive French films ever made, in fact). Wildly popular throughout Europe and even parts of Asia, Asterix remains obscure in the United States, which is why this film has seen no official distribution here. Thankfully, Miramax recently purchased the rights to both this movie and its sequel, Asterix: Mission Cleopatra, so they should both be seen in the U.S. eventually.

The concept behind the character is simple. Asterix is a small, cunning warrior who, in conjunction with his strong, dumb friend Obelix, travels the Roman Empire thwarting the plans of Caesar and his imperialist minions. Aiding Asterix in his quest is the druid Getafix, who brews a magical potion that endows its drinker with super-strength.

After seeing disastrous big-screen revivals of Godzilla, The Avengers, and Star Wars, I was reluctant to see this poorly-reviewed film. Sure, it did great box office, earning more than double its $45 million price tag, but so what? Popularity isn't always an indicator of quality.

But hey, I liked it!

The film's design is just gorgeous, with the outrageous settings and costumes from the comic strips recreated in loving detail. The soundtrack is lovely, creating a real "period" feel. The opening segments are a big slow – the fish fight and the boulder-dropping sequence are pretty silly. But soon after that, the story takes off like a bullet.

The film has an episodic structure, with multiple subplots running at once. This has opened the film up to criticism, but I rather liked seeing a "greatest hits of Asterix" movie. It's all here – giant battles in the arena, Obelix falling in love with Panacea, Asterix clashing with a charlatan soothsayer, Getafix winning the golden sickle at the annual druid's conference. It's a cut-and-paste combination of several Asterix comics, but it works.

Much of the film's success is owed to the cast. Depardieu was born to play Obelix, and he dives into the role without pretense, playing the oaf with comic flair. Clavier's Asterix has been panned by some but I thought he was witty, and he bears an almost eerie resemblance to the comic book character in some shots. Benigni is the ideal Asterix villain, hamming it up like a lunatic, and Laetitia Casta makes a gorgeous Panacea.

The special effects are delightful. Romans get punched over hill and dale, Asterix pulls hilarious faces when he drinks his potion, and clever visual trickery makes dozens of Roman extras look like hundreds. The sets are spacious and impressive, and the film has wonderfully rich colors (particularly reds, which appear everywhere – Asterix's pants, the Roman uniforms and tents, the banners in the arena…)

Of course it's just silly rubbish, but it's perfect entertainment for kids and kids-at-heart. No one is killed and there's nothing mean-spirited about it. Big-budget though it is, the film has a European wit and silliness that is lacking in American action films. French critics were afraid

varkaris 6 January 2000

Depardieu is very hilarious in the role of Obelix while Clavier as Asterix is perfect in bringing laughter and joy.Detritus played by Begnini is depictive of the Roman marshall in an environment of Roman expansion.Brilliant comedy based on visual effects.Transformation of the cartoon series that will work well in bringing the spirit of the Roman era with the naivety of the Galatian people and their resistance against the external menace.If you read the cartoons,you will love this too.

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