The indomitable Gauls are a thing of beauty in Alain Chabat's work. The series Le Combat des Chefs has barely been released and is already one of the best offerings of its kind. Truth be told, the imagination of René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo is never as funny and captivating as when it passes through the hands of talented animators and screenwriters. If Mission Cléopâtre is the only live-action film to find favor in the eyes of viewers, animated films are monsters of popular culture that we enjoy rewatching without moderation. Here are the three best films to watch or rewatch after Asterix & Obelix: The Battle of the Chiefs.
The Twelve Tasks of Asterix — 1976
The two Gauls are legendary, almost as much as the hero at the center of the film by Albert Uderzo and René Goscinny. In 1976, the creators of Asterix teamed up with Pierre Tchernia for an animated film inspired by their comics. For the first time, the two friends imagined a completely new story to immerse viewers in their world. The inspiration is obvious: the franchise leans towards Roman mythology.
What's it about?
Fearing that the Gauls are living gods, Julius Caesar decides to subject the villagers to unique and insurmountable tests. Their success will determine the future of Asterix, Obelix, and their cronies. With animation that is as effective and deliciously nostalgic as ever, The Twelve Tasks of Asterix is a gem of humor. Its format, a sketch film, allows the writers to multiply the approaches and tones for our greatest pleasure.
Why do we love it so much?
A caricature of bureaucracy (what color is the form needed to obtain the A38 pass again?), visual gags galore, there's no doubt about it, Asterix and Obelix are truly cinema gods in France. We delight in the pencil animation, its jerky aspect that reminds us of childhood, and its voice actors with their phrasing. So special.
Where to watch the film?
To discover or rediscover The Twelve Tasks of Asterix, you'll need to go to Prime Video. The film, one of the most widely broadcast on television between 1976 and 2016, is available there at no extra cost.
Asterix and Cleopatra — 1968
“When the appetite is right, everything is right”. Fancy some more iconic animation? Nearly a decade before The Twelve Tasks, Uderzo and Goscinny sent their heroes to Alexandria to help Numerobis build a palace for Cleopatra. This story is at the epicenter of Alain Chabat's live-action film.
What's it about?
Cleopatra bets on building a palace in record time to prove Egypt's supremacy to Caesar. She calls on Numerobis. But the architect (a bad one, by the way) has only three months to achieve such a miracle. He then has the idea of calling on Panoramix and his legendary magic potion.
Why do we love it so much?
While the film from the 2000s remains a classic of French comedy, the animated version has nothing to be ashamed of. While Chabat didn't make the leap into a musical, the 1968 film features ballads that have become legendary. Whether it's an arsenic pudding or a song about the importance of feasting for heroes, Asterix and Cleopatra is a constant delight that we rediscover with pleasure. We also enjoy seeing the many visual gags borrowed by Chabat in 2002.
Where to watch Asterix and Cleopatra?
Once again, head to Prime Video, which has plenty of surprises in store for us. Asterix and Cleopatra is available at no extra cost.
Asterix: The Mansion of the Gods — 2014
The best jams aren't just made from old jars. In addition to failed attempts at live action, M6 Studio and SNC teamed up in 2014 to offer a new animated adventure of the two Gauls. Louis Clichy and Alexandre Astier tackled The Mansion of the Gods to bring the franchise into a new era. No more pencil drawings, Asterix goes 3D. The format offers new possibilities that this project hopes to take advantage of.
What's it about?
Julius Caesar had a brilliant idea to bring the indomitable Gauls to heel. He wants to build a residential district called “The Mansion of the Gods”. He hopes that, without their main resource: the forest, Asterix, Obelix, and their cronies will have no choice but to submit.
Why do we love it so much?
Dialogue writing is undoubtedly one of Alexandre Astier's strong points, and Kaamelott won't make us disagree. With Asterix: The Mansion of the Gods and its extensive cast of characters, the director really lets himself go. Everything sounds good, right, and contributes greatly to the comic side of this adventure. The animation is no exception, offering some very beautiful moments in the action, such as the contemplation of this historical context. We particularly appreciate the attention paid to lighting and textures; The Land of the Gods is a vibrant adventure in every way.
Where to watch Asterix and Cleopatra?
This time, you'll have to go to M6+ to watch or rewatch The Land of the Gods. For most users, you'll have to put up with a few pages of advertising since the platform is mostly used in its free version. But I promise, it's worth the sacrifice.
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