Asterix: Good Gauls! The Romans must be crazy

The popular comic book series Asterix once again comes to the big screen in this winning animation, which opened to rave reviews in France

Asterix (left) and his partner-in-crime, Obelix (centre), go on an inane adventure to save their village from the tyranny of Julius Caesar

Good news for fans of Asterix and humorous comics – Asterix: The Mansions of the Gods, adapted from the best-selling French-Belgian Asterix comic series, has come to our big screens this weekend.

Doesn’t this bring back nostalgia for old comic books and Gaulish warrior antics? The story goes, ruthless tyrant Julius Caesar plans to crush a commune of brave Gauls by building an intimidating Roman city, “The Mansions of the Gods”, around the village and forcing them to assimilate.

Asterix, the titular hero of the popular comic series, must crack his brains to prevent the erasure of his Gaul clan

Holding out for a Hero

Gaulish warrior hero Asterix and his best friend Obelix can’t just stand by and watch their home be so mercilessly invaded by the bothersome Romans.

Despite their schemes to halt Caesar’s malicious approach, the Land of the Gods is quickly encroaching upon the Gauls. The Romans begin filtering into the village, wreaking havoc in Asterix’s peaceful home.

What ingenious plan will Asterix and Obelix be able to hatch before Caesar’s metropolis exterminates the Gauls forever?

Bestselling Works

Closely following the 17th book in the Asterix comic series, the movie was released in France at the end of 2014. It ranked No. 1 at the French box office, nudging Hollywood blockbuster films The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 and Interstellar down to second and fourth place.

The film also outperformed other popular animated movies in its opening weekend, including Frozen (2013) and Monsters, Inc (2001)!

If you’re worried about how your favourite warriors will appear on screen, The Hollywood Reporter’s critic Jordan Mintzer praises the movie for its “smooth animation style and winning humour”.

The pesky Romans encroach on Asterix’s homeland but watch how our dimunitive hero turns the tables on them

Victory for the gauls

With the legacy of the popular “Asterix” comics backing it up, it’s no wonder the movie performed so well. The series has been translated into more than 100 languages, and has sold about 325 million copies worldwide. It is arguably France’s most popular book.

Did you know that there’s even an Asterix theme park – Parc Astérix – near Paris? That’s how well-liked the world of Asterix is!

So whether Asterix accompanied you during your childhood or has just been introduced to you, this loveable animation is certainly one to catch.

By Pamela Chow

Asterix: The Mansions of the Gods [PG]

Director: Alexandre Astier & Louis Clichy
Starring: Roger Carel, Guillaume Briat, Lionnel Astier
Genre: Animation, Action, Comedy
Run length: 85 min
Release: 12 Mar