Acclaimed by the public in 2002, when it was released, Asterix and Obelix: Mission Cleopatra had then gathered nearly 14.5 million spectators in theaters. A score worthy of La Grande Vadrouille, by Gérard Oury, which would only be surpassed by two subsequent French productions: Bienvenue chez les Ch’tis and Intouchables. Twenty years later, the film has become a “classic.” Here’s why you can rush into the theater to see it again.
Alain Chabat’s film is being released in theaters in a restored and remastered version, adapted to current technological standards, with a 4K image and Dolby Atmos sound, in more than 300 theaters. An event, especially since this comedy is accessible for only 5 euros per session.
Released in 1964, the comic book album by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo multiplied references to cinema. Its very cover nodded to the Joseph L. Mankiewicz peplum released the previous year. By bringing such a work to the big screen, Alain Chabat took the risk of parodying…pastiche. His adaptation comes out on top by allowing two degrees of reading: one for adults by taking up the humor of the original creative duo; the other for the youngest by infusing it with more up-to-date gags.
Monica Bellucci, Claude Rich, Marina Foïs, Gérard Depardieu, Édouard Baer, ??Christian Clavier, Gérard Darmon, Jamel Debbouze, Jean-Paul Rouve…, the poster for the film by Alain Chabat (who plays the role of César himself) abounds in hexagonal talent. And the mayonnaise takes as in these improvised scenes that highlights the bonus of the DVD.
The funniest films, it is well known, oppose credible comic duos. They were Fernandel and Gino Cervi in ??Don Camillo (in 1952), Gérard Depardieu and Pierre Richard in La Chèvre (in 1981), Jean Reno and Christian Clavier in Les Visiteurs (in 1998). Mission Cleopatra multiplies the antagonistic tandems. In addition to the duo Christian Clavier and Gérard Depardieu in the title roles, Alain Chabat and Gérard Darmon but also and above all Jamel Debbouze and Édouard Baer thus multiply the irresistible clashes.
The comedian, gifted with an unusual eloquence, here develops a character that resembles the one he had invented with Ariel Wizman for his program La Grosse Boule, on Radio Nova, between 1993 and 1997. Good talker, a bit annoying, the scribe Otis that he embodies bursts the screen. This performance will also encourage the producers to offer the actor the role of Asterix ten years later.
Composed by Philippe Chany, author of several hits from the 1980s (remember “C’est la ouate” by Caroline Loeb), the film’s soundtrack includes memorable titles revisited. “I Got You (I Feel Good)” by James Brown, “Walk Like An Egyptian” (but without the Bangles), “Alexandria, Alexandra”… or even “Ti amo”. Classics boosted by more rap moments with JoeyStarr and even Snoop Dogg!
