Asterix and Obelix: Mission Cleopatra Review

The live action versions of Asterix (Clavier) and Obelix (Depardieu) first delighted French audiences in 1998's Asterix And Obelix Take On Caesar. Here they return for another comic romp in Egypt, where Monica Bellucci's Cleopatra is planning a lavish palace for the Roman ruler. Surprisingly, the titular duo are more comic sidekicks than heroes as they assist Edifis (the excellent Debbouze, from Amélie), a young architect ordered to complete the palace in three months - or die. A smattering of knowing movie jokes are thrown into a steady stream of neat visual gags and wordplay, some of which translates well, some of which doesn't. Generally, though, the humour works hard enough to cross the boundaries of age and language.