Asterix & Obelix: The Middle Kingdom
Directed by Guillaume Canet
- family
- comedy
- adventure
- fantasy
The story
Gallic heroes and forever friends Asterix and Obelix journey to China to help Princess Sa See save the Empress and her land from a nefarious prince.
What it’s like
Bright, saturated daylight and broad, storybook color: sunlit Gallic village greens and terracotta, then the lacquered reds, golds and jade of an imperial Chinese palace, all shot in a clean, glossy digital style with wide establishing frames that let the sets and costumes do the visual gags. The score is bouncy and orchestral, with flourishes of pentatonic melody and drum-driven action cues, and the sound design leans on cartoonish slaps, crashes and crowd roars. The vibe is light, sunny and exuberant, a family-friendly romp that suits a lazy weekend afternoon, a kids' movie night or an easy watch on a long-haul flight. Pacing is brisk and episodic, with one set-piece after another and the gags landing fast; the emotional register stays warm and playful, centred on the loyal, bickering friendship of two big-hearted men who gradually earn the respect of a sharp, capable princess. Violence is cartoonish, slapstick fisticuffs and battle comedy with no real gore, though peril and thudding fight scenes appear throughout. It is aimed at families and fans of the comics, and at anyone who wants a goofy, good-natured adventure with lots of sight gags.
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