DVD Review: Asterix at the Olympic Games

The Popular French Comic Book Characters Return for Third Movie

Dec 4, 2008 Dominic Messier

One of France's most memorable comic book heroes, Asterix the Gaul is back again, this time helping a fellow villager win the heart of a Greek princess.

Asterix Background Information

For newcomers who aren't familiar with the character of Asterix created by Albert Uderzo and Rene Goscinny in 1959, Asterix the Gaul is a feisty Gaulish warrior, who lives in a small village in northern Gaul (what is now France), in the year 49 B.C. Along with his loyal friend Obelix, both of these warriors regularly repel the attacks of four regional Roman camps, charged with invading this small village on the Northern Coast. The villagers are able to repel these attacks, thanks to their druid's magic potion, which gives them incredible strength, ensuring they remain the one village in all of the Roman empire, still unconquered by Julius Caesar. Their adventures have spanned 33 books, half a dozen animated films, and now three live action film adaptation, last of which is Asterix at the Olympic Games.

Asterix at the Olympic Games Overview

A young poet, Alafolix (Stéphane Rousseau), who lives in the same village as our beloved characters, is in love with a Greek princess named Irina (Vanessa Hessler), who happens to be promised to the vain, yet not-too-bright son of Caesar, Brutus (Benoit Poelvoorde).

Making his way to Olympia, home of King Samagas (Bouli Lanners), Alafolix witnesses the sad truth that his beloved may in fact be married off to Brutus, as a means to appease Caesar, and create better relations with Rome. Unwilling to accept this fate, Alafolix announces himself to the king, and states that the princess' hand in marriage, should go to the winner of the upcoming Olympic Games, a suggestion the king reluctantly agrees to, if only to please his daughter.

Soon thereafter, Alafolix returns to the Gaulish village, and enlists the help of Asterix and Obelix, in making sure he has a fighting chance to win the Olympic games. This merry band (along with the village bard, Assurancetourix -- or Cacophonix in the English translation) sets on towards Greece, to represent themselves as a Roman province, eligible for the games.

Relying on magic potion at first, then on pure strategy and wily schemes to denounce obvious Roman treachery, Asterix and Obelix do everything the can to allow their fellow villager to win his true love's hand by the end of the movie...all the while providing belly laughs, as they proceed to the usual antics seen in their many comic book adventures.

Asterix at the Olympic Games Overall Analysis

First off, let is be said that not every comic book character film adaptation translates effectively to the silver screen. Granted, the large majority of said adaptations tend to lean towards the superhero genre, however in the case of this third film outing, the interpretation from the comic book of the same name (Astérix aux Jeux Olympiques, originally published in France in 1968) works rather well.

A few liberties were taken with the script, but those are easily excusable for poetic license. This allows for the the movie to flow more easily, due to the uncinematic format of the comic book story. For instance, the original comic contains no such obvious tribute to the Romeo and Juliet example seen in this film, however by relying on this subplot, the characters have just reason to travel to the Games, something they do out of fun, in the original story.

Furthermore, there was no such inclusion of either a Greek king, princess, or even Brutus in the original story, elements they added here. Ditto Julius Caesar, who but makes a brief cameo in the book, appears as a notable background character in this film.

The Cast of Asterix at the Olympic Games

Returning for a third consecutive outing as the portly yet affable Obelix, French great Gerard Depardieu is back, anchoring this latest film to its predecessors, as most of the remaining cast did not return from their last film Asterix and Obelix: Mission Cleopatra, in 2002.

Replacing Christian Clavier as Asterix is young and energetic Clovis Cornillac, who seems better suited for the role, and embodies Asterix's joie de vivre to perfection, right down to the blond moustache. Cornillac has great chemistry with Depardieu, and together they keep the audience interested in their often exagerrated antics.

(Note: Cornillac is almost 15 years younger than Christian Clavier, this may explain the difference in the performance's energy)

Rounding the cast are as follows: Quebec funnyman Stéphane Rousseau as Alafolix, the legendary Alain Delon, as Julius Caesar (easily the most enjoyable character in the film), kickboxing superstar Jerome Le Banner as Cornedurus, a Roman athlete, and Franck Dubosc as Assurancetourix / Cacophonix.

Keep an eye for famous cameos, such as racing champ Michael Schumacher (as a Germanic chariot racer), infamous headbutting soccer star Zinedine Zidane as an Egyptian named Numerodis (a play on his jersey number on France's soccer team), NBA San Antonio Spurs star Tony Parker as Tonus Parker, and last but not least, French funnyman Jamel Debouzze who returns as Numerobis, from the previous film.

All in all, Asterix at the Olympic Games is a fun film for family viewing, and is a worthwhile addition to the growing list of live action Asterix movies, which have served well in reviving interest in this, one of the most popular exports to come out of France in the 20th century.

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Asterix at the Olympic Games

Cornillac and Depardieu as Asterix and Obelix