Asterix and Obelix: Mission Cleopatra film review

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ASTERIX AND OBELIX: MISSION CLEOPATRA

Sacre Gaul! The plucky cartoon heroes return in the sequel to smash hit Asterix & Obelix Vs Caesar, which sees the superstrong best friends venturing to Egypt to help a friend win an important bet.

Already a smash hit across the English Channel, Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra should fare well at the UK box office too.

Cairo, 52BC. Empress Cleopatra (Monica Bellucci) has surrendered her heart to Roman emperor Julius Caesar (Alain Chabat), but she is becoming tired of his sarcastic remarks and endless bragging.

In order to prove the superiority of the Egyptian people once and for all, the empress offers Caesar a wager. She claims that her people can build the emperor the most splendid palace in the world within the space of just three months. It seems like an impossible boast, given the amount of time needed to plan such a building let alone construct it, but if Cleopatra succeeds, Caesar must publicly declare the superiority of her people over the Romans. He agrees, smug in the certainty of his victory.

Cleopatra hastily chooses ambitious young architect Edifis (Jamel Debbouze), over the much more experienced Artifis (Gerard Darmon), to oversee the project, on the understanding that if the palace isn't completed in time, Edifis will pay with his life, as a snack for her famished pet crocodiles. Artifis is understandably enraged by the empress's snub, but like Caesar, he is certain that his rival cannot succeed.

Understandably concerned by the three-month time limit, Edifis travels to Gaul and begs assistance from good friends Asterix (Christian Clavier) and Obelix (Gerard Depardieu), and the wise druid Miraculix (Claude Rich).

They gladly board the first boat to Egypt to lend a hand, and soon have the Egyptians workforce working double time (with substantial help from the druid's legendary potions). Against all odds, the palace nears completion on time, but once Artifis and Caesar catch wind of a possible victory for Cleopatra and Edifis, they join forces to sabotage the building operation, by every underhand tactic at their disposal.

Like its predecessor, Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra beautifully captures the anarchic spirit and lush visuals of the popular comic books. Performances are suitably larger than life - Depardieu is a hoot, waddling around with lovable Dogmatix tucked under his arm - and the special effects are impressive.