2023-07-06 09:51:00
A remastered version of the film adaptation of the “Asterix and Cleopatra” album has been released for the film’s 20th anniversary.
By Baudouin Eschapasse
Asterix and Obelix: Cleopatra mission was released in 2002 and garnered over 14 million viewers. © ETIENNE GEORGE / Collection ChristopheL via AFP Published on 06/07/2023 at 09:51
Acclaimed by the public in 2002, when it was released, Asterix and Obelix: Cleopatra mission then brought together nearly 14.5 million spectators in theaters. A score worthy of The big mop, by Gérard Oury, which would only be surpassed by two subsequent French productions: Welcome to the Ch’tis et Untouchables. Twenty years later, the film has become a “classic.” Here’s why you can rush to the theater to see it again.
1. A restored version
Alain Chabat’s film is being released in cinemas 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.
2. An adaptation in the spirit of the original
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 duo of original creators; the other for the youngest by infusing it with gags that are more in tune with the times.
READ ALSO“Asterix”: from the worst turnip to the most cult, we have classified the 5 films
3. A luxury casting
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 French talent. And the mayonnaise takes as in these improvised scenes that highlights the bonus of the DVD.
4. The magic of tandems
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 The goat (in 1981), Jean Reno and Christian Clavier in Visitors (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.
5. The delusions of Édouard Baer
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.
READ ALSOShould we go see “Asterix and Obelix: The Middle Kingdom”?
6. An amazing soundtrack
Composed by Philippe Chany, author of several hits of the 1980s (remember “C’est la ouate” by Caroline Loeb), the film’s soundtrack includes memorable revisited titles. “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!
#reasons #Alain #Chabats #film