Asterix and Obelix against Caesar

Asterix & Obelix Take on Caesar, released in 1999, is the first live-action version of the famous Astérix & Obélix french comic books of René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo. The comic, first published in 1961, is set in ancient France in the times the roman empire is in its pick. The times of Julious Caesar. Yet as the story goes a small village still resists to the roman legions. The secret lies in a magic potion brewed by the village druid, which enhances the villagers strength.

The two main characters Asterix & Obelix, a classical thin fat duo are always ready to rescue those in need while doing business as usual. That is beating the romans and hunt for wild buffaloes. Obelix relays in his superhuman strength a result of an accident in his childhood. He fall in the pot with the magic potion. On the other hand Asterix has to constantly relay on the magic potion that he carries all times with him but he is enhanced with a cleverness that Obelix has a certain lack of.

The movie doesn't follow any of the 33 album plots but mixes elements from many of them. Claude Zidi, directs a 105 minutes movie with many special effects and a plot mainly drawn from Asterix the Gladiator, Asterix the Legionary, Asterix and the Goths, Asterix and the Cauldron and Asterix and the Soothsayer although elements from other books are taken.

- Warning spoilers

A rogue fortune teller tries to trick the villagers into keeping the taxes of the Romans that accidentally found their way to the village. Asterix (Christian Clavier) doesn't find that a good idea as he fears it might attract the main body of Caesar's (Gottfried John) army. But the rogue puts magic mushrooms into his food that drive him temporarily crazy and he attacks poor Obelix (Gérard Depardieu). The fortune teller ceases the chance to escape the village with the gold.

At the same time the Romans consult to get their precious gold back and why not? conquer this last Gaul village. Lucius Detritus (Roberto Benigni), a roman commander, conceives a masterful plan. He kidnaps Getafix (Claude Piéplu), the village's druid. That way the village can not relay on his magic potion.

Asterix and Obelix set to save Getafix. Since everyone in this movie has a thoughtful plan Asterix at this point forms his. Obelix is to pretend the brave soldier of the roman empire that captures the Asterix the dangerous Gaul. Asterix that way makes it to the dungeons and finds Getafix. He also finds out that Detritus plans to torture the magic potion off Getafix and use it for himself! He wants to become Caesar in the place of Caesar!

Getafix manages to persuade Obelix to become his bodyguard who fails to notice that the situation has changed. Detritus uses Obelix to overpower Caesar and lay his hands on the magic potion. He orders a feast and commands Asterix to be thrown to the arrena. Obelix as the guest of honor, right on the side of Detritus watches his friend taking on snakes, lions, alligators and spiders. Finally at the very end he snaps out and helps his friend to escape.

Back to the village the Romans are preparing for the assault. Asterix and Obelix makes it there just in time. As the magic potion is not an option (roman have it too now!) the Gauls decide to use Getafix's great-grandfather's super-magic potion. A cloning potion! An army of Asterixes and Obelixes pops out just in time to take on the Romans. Detrixus is defeted and the Gauls restore Caesar to power. All the villagers organize a huge fist to celebrate the happy end. All of them?

Laetitia Casta as Falbala, the beauty of the village is the reason of Obelix's sorrow. He has a huge crash on her. Unfortunately Falbala's heart belongs to another man. Poor Obelix, this full moon night of joy and celebration sees his small window to the dream land of pure happiness. He offers some of the potion to Falbala. Her sweet heart cann't deny him happines and she accepts.

And oh la-la, by the falling sky, behold! a second Falbala for Obelix, a second Laetitia for us! But of course tease-full magic always offers only just a short glimpse in the land of the dreams. On the other hand, harsh reality protects zelously the most beautiful of her jewels by enhancing them with the property of uniqueness. Soon the potion wares off and the magic goes away in a pop. For of course, in reality, there is only one Falbala. There is only one Laetitia.

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