Asterix and Obelix Meet Cleopatra (2002)

Astérix and Obélix go to Egypt to help architect Numérobis who is building a palace for Cleopatra.

Director:

Alain Chabat

Writers:

René Goscinny (comic book "Astérix et Cléopatre"), Albert Uderzo (comic book "Astérix et Cléopatre")

Stars:

Gérard Depardieu, Christian Clavier, Jamel Debbouze

1 win & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Gérard Depardieu	...	Obélix
Christian Clavier	...	Astérix
Jamel Debbouze	...	Numérobis
Monica Bellucci	...	Cléopâtre
Alain Chabat	...	Jules César
Claude Rich	...	Panoramix
Gérard Darmon	...	Amonbofis
Edouard Baer	...	Otis
Dieudonné	...	Caius Céplus
Mouss Diouf	...	Baba, la vigie des pirates
Marina Foïs	...	Sucettalanis
Bernard Farcy	...	Barbe-Rouge le pirate
Jean Benguigui	...	Malococsis
Michel Crémadès	...	Triple Patte
Jean-Paul Rouve	...	Caius Antivirus

Storyline

The Egyptian Queen Cleopatra bets against the Roman Emperor, Julius Caesar, that her people are still great, even if the times of the Pharaohs has long passed. She vows (against all logic) to build a new palace for Caesar within three months. Since all her architects are either busy otherwise or too conservative in style, this ambivalent honor falls to Edifis. He is to build the palace and be covered in gold or, if not, his fate is to be eaten by crocodiles. Edifis calls upon an old friend to help him out: The fabulous Druid Getafix from Gaul, who brews a fantastic potion that gives supernatural strength. In order to help and protect the old Druid, Asterix and Obelix accompany him on his journey to Egypt. When Julius Caesar gets wind of the project succeeding, he has the building site attacked by his troops in order to win the bet and not lose face. But just like the local pirates, he hasn't counted on Asterix and Obelix.

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Plot Keywords:

asterix | architect | anachronism | based on comic book | comicbook movie | 

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Genres:

Adventure | Comedy | Family | Fantasy

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for language, sensuality and mild violence

Details

Country:

France Germany

Language:

French Arabic Cantonese Latin German

Release Date:

30 January 2002 (France)

Also Known As:

Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra

Filming Locations:

Atlas Corporation Studios, Ouarzazate, Morocco

Box Office

Budget:

FRF 327,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$2,081,354 (France), 25 January 2002

Gross USA:

$3,115,188

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$111,127,553

Company Credits

Production Co:

Canal+, Centre National de la Cinématographie (CNC), Chez Wam

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min 85 min (cut)

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

When talking about the size of the sphinx' nose, Gérard Depardieu says a line he said in Cyrano de Bergerac (1990).

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Goofs

When Caius Céplus is on the hill with Antivirus, threatening Asterix and Obelix, his horse changes from brown to white and back between shots.

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Quotes

Numérobis: And if we fail, we go to crocodiles.
Obélix: Are crocodiles tasty?

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Crazy Credits

At the very end of the credits, Amonbofis, still crushed in the wall, is asking for help.

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Alternate Versions

In the usual Miramax way, approx. 20 minutes were cut from the English dubbed version. Removed were many of Gérard Depardieu's scenes as well as all references made to Cleopatra's nose.

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Connections

Referenced in Hungarian Vagabond (2004)

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Soundtracks

Get up
Written by Harald Reitinger, Uli Fisher and Vince De Georgio
Performed by Discobrothers featuring The Weather Girls (as The Weathergirls)
Courtesy of BEATPOWERMUSIC/BMG Music Germany
(theme song for german release)

User Reviews

A successful, funny adaptation from a great comic book

All those who had seen it will easily agree with me : the first opus was terrible. Christian Clavier was unbearable, the story was ridiculous, the look was disappointing ; despite many talented actors and technicians, Goscinny was betrayed. Astérix et Obélix contre César was a cruel and total setback. Alain Chabat and his team had a lot of work to do in order not to fall into the same traps. Adapting Astérix to the cinema could have even considered an impossible challenge after that first disaster.

However, they made it. Astérix et Obélix : Mission Cléopâtre is a great adaptation of the famous comics. Alain Chabat, who also wrote the screenplay, could modernize the story and the characters and obtain the best from the composer, the cinematographer, the production designer, the actors... With the biggest French budget (50 million Euros), he's made a movie that is suitable for all the family, with an outstanding look and a funniest Jamel. Fast-paced, with plentiful play on words, some situations are really hilarious.

If you like Astérix, and if you like humor, you will like this movie.