Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra

Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra usually divides the audience into two disparate groups. I'm one of those who enjoy a live-action version of Cleopatra now and then. The 1968 animated version was already absolutely excellent and there are so many wonderful ideas here. Sun-drenched Egypt is a feast for the eyes, and Monica Bellucci has never been more beautiful. The humor may not be universal, but where the original comics "Asterix and Cleopatra" (1965) worked, this will work too. (08/24/2019)

I wonder what Goscinny would say about this. On the one hand, the filmmakers stuck quite closely to the brilliant comic book, on the other hand, there are flukes like the final aerial fight, pirates on the Nile and Asterix's love story, which have nothing to do with the source material and degrade it a bit. On top of that, Chadat also added references to famous films like Star Wars and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and they are quite ridiculous. As for the Asterix adaptations: the animated ones aren't very good, the first live-action film is a weird hodgepodge of several books, and this one, though not a hodgepodge, it’s literally overstuffed and a lot of crazy fun. If you are a fan of the Asterix cartoons (which I count myself among), you won’t enjoy this much, but if you like silly nonsense, you’ll probably be satisfied. I chose to compromise :) (06/15/2003)

The change of director is evident from the opening sequence, but I don't think the film suffers because of it. The overall feel of the second Asterix may be wackier and crazier, but it's all the more imaginative for it. Jamel Debbouze was right on, and the graceful Monica Bellucci was more of a model for the designers than Cleopatra, as some of her costumes were truly unforgettable. The film also includes some appropriately used references to American films, or at least it felt that way at times. In short, I enjoyed this episode about as much as the previous one, hence I give it the same rating. (07/13/2011)

The red lobster is one of the largest crustaceans in existence. An adult specimen can weigh up to 17 1/2 lbs. The high score I gave here is mainly for the lobsters and (literally) a couple of good jokes. The second half is quite good because it is so deranged that... Well, you know, lobsters. But the first half is desperately boring and lame. (04/12/2004)

A very zany adaptation of a well-known French comic, full of lighthearted humor that, surprisingly, I didn't mind much in this case, with a few exceptions. The film is suitable as relaxation after exhausting mental work. It's comic book exaggerated, full of directorial ideas and jokes of various kinds. Gérard Depardieu and Christian Clavier deliver their traditionally reliable performances, and Monica Bellucci is certainly more attractive and skilled than her predecessor in the first film. The humor of the original comic is somewhat more sophisticated, not as straightforward and coarse, so true comic fans might react hesitantly. Overall impression: 55%. (07/14/2006)