After a long wait, the two tough Gaul warriors storm the silver screen again, this time traveling to the land of the dragon in Asterix & Obelix: The Middle Kingdom (Astérix & Obélix : L'Empire du Milieu), the 5th live-action film in the franchise adapted from the famous French comic. But this time, it's no longer based on the original comic, as it features a new story written specifically for the screen.
Plot Summary (No Spoilers)
The story begins when the Chinese emperor is ambushed and imprisoned, forcing Princess Fu Yi (played by Julie Chen) to flee the palace and seek help from the mighty Gauls. The two then travel to China with Asterix and Obelix to fight the evil prince and the Roman army led by Julius Caesar (played by Vincent Cassel), who hopes to use the chaos to conquer China.
Although the plot sounds exciting, the storytelling is sluggish and drawn out. The film tries to insert French-style jokes that often don't fit the Chinese context, making the humor feel forced and unnatural.
Acting and Characters
Guillaume Canet and Gilles Lellouche still portray Asterix and Obelix up to standard, but their chemistry isn't as vibrant as in previous installments. Vincent Cassel as Caesar remains suitably cunning, while Jonathan Cohen as Graindemaïs provides some laughs. However, overall, the actors are limited by a stiff script, making the characters lack depth.
Direction, Visuals, and Music
The film is directed by Guillaume Canet himself, marking his first time in this role in the franchise. The visuals are generally beautiful, with impressive ancient Chinese sets, but many green screen and CG shots still look unconvincing. The score by Matthieu Chedid retains its uniqueness but isn't as outstanding as it could be.
Editorial Analysis
What sets Asterix & Obelix: The Middle Kingdom apart from previous installments is its attempt to tap into the Chinese market, but it doesn't do it well. Many jokes about China, meant to make French audiences laugh, come across as clichéd and unappealing to general viewers. The film seems unsure whether it wants to be a family comedy or an action adventure, leaving both aspects unbalanced. However, for die-hard fans who have followed Asterix's works for a long time, they may still enjoy seeing their favorite characters again. For those looking for a fun movie to watch with family or wanting to watch new movies for free, you can follow and watch at ดูหนังไม่กระตุก mehddo
Verdict
Asterix & Obelix: The Middle Kingdom is a pleasant but forgettable watch. Suitable for families wanting a light adventure or French film fans wanting to see the two Gauls on a new mission. But if you expect the humor of the original comics or a tight plot, the film may disappoint you.
Screenshots
👍 Pros
- +Grand production with beautiful Chinese sets
- +Lead actors still have charm
- +Suitable for comic fans wanting to see characters in live-action
👎 Cons
- −Prolonged and unfocused script
- −Most jokes don't land for Thai audiences
- −CGI in many spots still unrealistic
Top Cast
FAQ
It has been showing in Thai cinemas since February 2, 2023.
It's moderately fun, suitable for families looking for light entertainment, but if you expect the humor of the original comics, you may be disappointed.
It is not directly adapted from any comic but is an original story written specifically for the film.
Starring Guillaume Canet, Gilles Lellouche, Vincent Cassel, Jonathan Cohen, Julie Chen, and Leanna Chea.
