It is one of the most anticipated French films of the year, which will be released in theaters this Wednesday February 1 in France and Friday February 3 in Africa. In “The Middle Kingdom”, Asterix sets sail for China. The director Guillaume Canet also endorses the costume of Asterix the Gaul. The filmmaker made the risky bet not to adapt a particular album and to rely on an XXL cast, where Gilles Lellouche and Marion Cotillard rub shoulders with stars of football, rap and YouTube.
They had hitherto been content to explore the ancient Western or Mediterranean world. This time Asterix and Obelix go to China to free the Empress, in prison after a coup d’etat. For his part, Julius Caesar intends to take advantage of this to conquer new territory.
The Middle Empire is immense, the cinematographic bet also: the film cost 65 million euros, mobilized 500 extras, and then stars: the footballer Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the singer Angèle, the rapper Orelsan or the youtubers McFly and Carlito …
Stars in shambles, anachronisms and schoolboy humor, the ingredients of the magic potion of success are united. Alas, the taste ultimately turns out to be flavorless and spiceless. The gags fall flat, the scenario seems written just for luxury extras.
Coming out before the school holidays, this Asterix and Obelix can nevertheless hope to attract children and thus become the first French comedy to win at the box office since the pandemic.