Asterix: The Mansion of the Gods, is finally released in English in UK cinemas on 19th August, in 3D and 2D.
The first Asterix 3D motion picture, initially released in France in 2014, finds Asterix and friends still resisting Roman rule in ancient Gaul. Julius Caesar, exasperated by the situation, decides on a change of tactic: since his armies cannot overthrow them by force, the Roman civilisation itself will have to conquer the Gallic barbarians. The plan is to build a luxury residential complex for rich Romans right next to the village, to be called “The Mansions of the Gods”.
Will our Gallic heroes be able to resist the lure of money and Roman comfort?
Will their village be reduced to a tourist attraction?
Asterix and Obelix will do everything they can to foil Caesar’s plans.
Julius Caesar has a devious plan to beat Asterix and chums once and for all
Asterix: The Mansions of the Gods, based on the eponymous book published in the UK by Orion in 2005, features a voice cast that includes Jack Whitehall, Nick Frost, Catherine Tate, Matt Berry, Greg Davies, Harry Enfield, Dick and Dom and Jim Broadbent, and it’s great to see the film finally reach our shores.
Some of the Gauls spend as much time fighting among themselves, as well as the Romans…
The film, directed by Louis Clichy and Alexandre Astier, has had some positive reviews, with the suggestion from some that given the mixed response to past big screen Asterix films (both line art and live action), Asterix: The Mansion of the Gods is a fun family film.
“Rarely have I seen an animated comedy so genuine in its delivery, untainted by current pop culture nuances that is sure to be dated,” enthused Jonathan Leo on GeekCulture last year. “Asterix: Mansion Of The Gods is a well-crafted comedic romp that adapts its source material very well onto the big screen.”
The Times of India was also positive, saying the film is “both briskly-paced as well as entertaining enough for its core audience, children. This one makes for some fairly delightful viewing”, although the Hindustan Times wasn’t as generous, despite enthusing that “the storytelling is simple, fluid and punctuated with mild humour. It is genuine and unpretentious, retaining the satirical elements and witty charm of its source material.”
I guess you’ll just have to get along to the cinema and make up your own mind!
More Info
- Facebook: facebook.com/AsterixMovieUK
- Twitter: @AsterixMovieUK
- Film Information on the official Asterix web site
Asterix: The Mansion of the Gods will be released on DVD on 16th December 2016
- About the Author
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The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.
He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.
Categories: downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Film
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