In Asterix & Obelix: The Middle Kingdom, we are reunited with the iconic Gallic heroes Asterix (Guillaume Canet) and Obelix (Gilles Lellouche) as they embark on a new quest. This installment sees them journey to China to assist Princess Tju Sig (Julie Chen) and her bodyguard Sny Ting (Leanna Chea) in their efforts to liberate the Queen and their kingdom from the clutches of the villainous Deng Tsin Qin (Bun-hay Mean). Meanwhile, Ceasar (Vincent Cassel), recently scorned by Cleopatra (Marion Cotillard), readily agrees to aid Deng Tsin Qin when approached. Thus begins a perilous journey, fraught with intense emotions on all sides.
As a long-time enthusiast of the Asterix and Obelix comic books and animated adaptations, I’ve found the live-action films less consistently appealing. Asterix & Obelix: The Middle Kingdom marks the fifth live-action iteration, with Gilles Lellouche taking over the role of Obelix from Gérard Depardieu. Lellouche delivers an adequate performance as the endearingly loyal, somewhat portly, and slightly simple-minded Obelix. Guillaume Canet assumes dual roles as both Asterix and the film’s director. Assessing the acting quality is somewhat challenging, as the version reviewed was entirely dubbed into Swedish. Kim Sulocki, the Swedish voice actor for Asterix, provides a commendable portrayal, though dubbed live-action films often present a different viewing experience compared to animated features. For comparison, both the Swedish and French trailers are provided below.
Regrettably, the film’s overall energy feels somewhat misdirected. Despite the competent Swedish dubbing, certain nuances are inevitably lost. For those hoping to experience Asterix & Obelix: The Middle Kingdom in its original language in theaters, disappointment may arise, as cinemas seem to exclusively offer the Swedish-dubbed version, despite the availability of both. This is unfortunate, as the film’s content, with its violence and sophisticated humor, is arguably not ideally suited for very young children. The age rating of 7 years further suggests that the target audience is not the youngest viewers.
While there were isolated moments of genuine amusement, they were infrequent, and the film’s inability to fully engage proved to be a significant drawback. Asterix & Obelix: The Middle Kingdom suffers from a relative dearth of action sequences. When action does occur, it tends to be brief and primarily features Tju Sig and Sny Ting. The film, despite its production quality, leans more towards a Kung-fu style than a traditional Asterix and Obelix narrative.
Prior to the release of Asterix & Obelix: The Middle Kingdom, much attention was given to Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s acting debut as the formidable Antivirus. His screen time, however, is limited. The sequences are well-executed, and Ibrahimovic displays a compelling presence. However, his self-dubbed dialogue leaves something to be desired. Fortunately, Ibrahimovic has a successful athletic career to rely on.
In conclusion, Asterix & Obelix: The Middle Kingdom provides some entertainment value, although the pacing felt uneven, with certain aspects feeling prolonged while others were rushed. The film ultimately warrants a middling score, neither exceptional nor particularly disappointing.
Noble Entertainment arranged a screening for this review. Senders of material have no editorial influence on our tests.
