Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra

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Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra (Astérix & Obélix : Mission Cléopâtre)
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Alain Chabat
Written by	Alain Chabat
Based on	Asterix and Cleopatra by René Goscinny Albert Uderzo
Produced by	Claude Berri
Starring	Gérard Depardieu Christian Clavier Jamel Debbouze Alain Chabat Monica Bellucci Claude Rich Gérard Darmon
Cinematography	Laurent Dailland
Edited by	Stéphane Pereira
Music by	Philippe Chany
Distributed by	Pathé Distribution
Release date	30 January 2002
Running time	107 min.
Countries	France Italy
Language	French
Budget	$58.5 million[1]
Box office	$128 million[2]

Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra (French: Astérix et Obélix : Mission Cléopâtre), also known as Asterix and Obelix Meet Cleopatra, is a 2002 French/Italian fantasy comedy film written and directed by Alain Chabat and adapted from the comic book series Asterix by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo. Based on the book Asterix and Cleopatra, which had previously been adapted into a 1968 animated film, it also acts as a sequel to the 1999 movie Asterix & Obelix Take On Caesar.

Christian Clavier and Gérard Depardieu reprise their roles as Asterix and Obelix, alongside newcomers Jamel Debbouze, Monica Bellucci, Claude Rich, Gérard Darmon, Édouard Baer, Dieudonné, and Chabat himself.

It was the most expensive French movie at that time, before being beaten by A Very Long Engagement two years later. A critical success, it was also a major box office success in France, becoming its most successful film in 36 years and second biggest commercial success of all time after 1966's La Grande Vadrouille.

Translations[]

Miramax Films re-edited the film for an North American audience, cutting approximately 21 minutes and dubbing the movie into English using an American cast. The English script added many new jokes for the American audience, including more references to modern popular culture (Edifis continually calls Getafix a "droid", for example. This pun was already hinted at in the French version; the actor playing Edifis used his distinctive North-African accent to create a subtle confusion between "droid" and "druid"), and some changes in characterisation, most notably Obelix who appears far more intelligent than usual. The dubbed dialogue uses some of the original English names, but the rest are either reused from the American English translation of the original album, or newly invented names. This is most notable among minor characters; the pirate crew, for example, are referred to by the names of famous rock and roll musicians (including John, Paul, George and Ringo) just before a cry of "let's rock and roll!"

The English language subtitles for other markets are a straight translation of the French dialogue, with only the names changed to match the original English translation of the album. The version released on DVD in the Australia by Madman Entertainment contains two discs, one the original French version (with multiple language subtitles) and the other the Miramax edit.

Plot[]

Infuriated by belittlements, Queen Cleopatra makes a deal with Julius Caesar: if the Egyptians build a palace at Alexandria, in three months, which is larger than Caesar's palace in Rome he must acknowledge that Egypt was the greatest of nations. To perform this task, Cleopatra hires the architect Numerobis, on pain of death and much to the dismay of Pyradonis, Cleopatra's customary architect. He and his secretary Papyris discuss the druid Getafix (Panoramix in the original French), whose potion empowers its drinkers; and Numerobis goes in search of him.

Numerobis arrives in Gaul and convinces Getafix to embark with him to Alexandria. Once they arrive, they use the druid's magic potion to speed up the construction (with Cleopatra's permission), and Pyradonis realizes he must stop Numerobis from finishing the palace within the deadline by sabotage (such as getting Asterix, Obelix and Getafix lost in a pyramid, or framing them for Cleopatra's failed assassination). After failing multiple times, Pyradonis finally decides to inform Caesar about the potion's use and the potential victory of Cleopatra. Caesar knows the Gauls (having failed to capture their village multiple times) and decides to besiege the construction site until Asterix, Obelix and Getafix surrender. Numerobis, Papyris and the three Gallics defend the site and decide to inform Cleopatra of Caesar's actions. Meanwhile, Pyradonis and Numerobis, both after drinking the potion, fight in the site until Numerobis finally wins the duel. Cleopatra arrives on the battlefield and reprimands Caesar's lack of sportsmanship. The Romans are forced to stop the siege and assist in the continuation of the construction, which is finished on time. The palace is inaugurated and Caesar counterwillingly names Egypt the greatest Empire there ever was. Numerobis wins a large amount of gold, Getafix receives manuscripts from the Library of Alexandria, and all the protagonists partake in a banquet (including some of the movie's Roman antagonists).

Cast[]

Additional Voices[]

• Jean Benguigi (Crustaceous)
• Michel Elias
• Sophie Noël (Bloody Beard's Daughter)

Voice cast[]

Additional Voices[]

• Matt Adler
• Stephen Apostolina (Hutchus, "Superpower" Soldier #2, Flying thru Intersection Soldier)
• Kirk Baily
• Steve Blum (Starskyus, "Superpower" Soldier #1)
• Steve Bulen (Documentary Narrator, Catapult Commander, Slave Driver with Horn)
• Steve Cassling
• David Coburn (Banquet Doorman)
• David Cowgill (Nazi Commandant, Old Hayseed)
• Dan Edelstein (Roman on Horseback)
• Elisa Gabrielli
• Jason Harris Katz (Young Hayseed, Cat)
• Tom Kenny ("My Bad" Soldier)
• Steve Kramer
• Lex Lang (Jailer, Gaul Forest Centurion)
• Matthew Labyorteaux
• Jonathan Nichols
• Paul Pape
• Philip Proctor (Peg Leg)
• Stuart Robinson (Roman Drill Instructor, Crow's Nest Lookout, Sculptor)
• Lia Sargent (Bloody Beard's Daughter)
• Michael Sorich (Cleopatra's Portraitist, Bribed Boatman)
• Barry Stigler (Crustaceous)

Soundtrack[]

• "Mission Cleopatra" – Snoop Dogg and Jamel Debbouze
• "Asterix and Cleopatra" – Philippe Chany
• "I Got You (I Feel Good)" – James Brown
• "Yakety Sax" – Boots Randolph
• "The Imperial March (Darth Vader's Theme)" – John Williams
• "Ti amo" – Umberto Tozzi and Monica Bellucci
• "Chi mai"- Ennio Morricone
• "Walk Like an Egyptian" – Deep Forest feat. Beverly Jo Scott

Release[]

The film had the widest opening in France at the time, opening on 950 screens.^[3]

References[]

External links[]

• Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra at IMDb
• Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra at Rotten Tomatoes
• Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra at Box Office Mojo