Latest news with #Asterix&Obelix:TheBigFight
Indian Express
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Asterix & Obelix – The Big Fight review: By Toutatis! Netflix quenches thirst for nostalgia with magic potion for the soul
Unlike his fellow Franco-Belgian comic book icon Tintin, Asterix has a rich history of representation in cinema and on television. While Tintin has inspired mainly the beloved Canadian cartoon adaptation and a criminally underrated feature film directed by Steven Spielberg, the adventures of Asterix the Gaul have spawned 18 films, 15 board games, 40 video games, and one theme park. The latest is a glossy Netflix mini-series, originally announced in 2021 but released only this week. Asterix & Obelix: The Big Fight is based on the 1964 comic of the same name, and will likely delight generations of readers who've grown up with the character. Co-directed by Alain Chabat and Fabrice Joubert, The Big Fight is a lovingly crafted homage to the classic comics that feels both fresh and familiar. For one, it's largely faithful to René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo's original book. The show doesn't assume that audiences would be familiar with the source material, but it would certainly help if you were. For instance, a sudden altercation between the characters Fulliautomatix and Unhygeinix will be meaningless to folks who have no idea about their endless beef. But those who are aware of it will simply be glad to see a glimpse of it in the show. A still from Asterix & Obelix: The Big Fight. Among the smartest creative decisions that Chabat and Joubert have made here is to devote the entire opening episode — there are only five in total; animation is time-consuming and expensive — to Asterix and Obelix's childhood. We learn that they share the same birthday, and actually get to witness the events that led to Obelix — the 'weakest' member of the tribe — falling into a vat of magic potion. It's like watching the moment Harry Potter got his scar. Concocted by the druid Getafix, the potion is of vital importance to the story; it's what makes our central characters 'indomitable' in the face of Roman opposition. While the rest of Gaul will fall to Julius Caesar, Asterix and Obelix's village will always hold out. In the second episode, the narrative leaps forward to the present day, that is, 50 BC. Caesar remains irritated at not being able to conquer all of Gaul, while his sneering mother never stops reminding him of the difference between being an all-powerful emperor and someone who is routinely defeated by a village-full of boar-eating, wine-swigging, potion-pounding men. Caesar won't tolerate this humiliation. And so, he instructs a chieftain named Fastandfurious to kidnap Getafix; no Getafix, no magic potion; no magic potion, no advantage. The druid out of the way, Fastandfurious enlists his bright niece Metadata to put together a gladiatorial duel between the chief of Asterix's village, Vitalstatistix, and a puppet leader named Cassius Ceramix. The rules dictate that the winning chief will take over the loser's tribe, meaning that if Ceramix defeats a potion-less Vitalstatistix, all of Gaul will finally be under Caesar's control. Ridiculous and slapstick as The Big Fight consistently is, like the comics, it's a sneakily political satire of authoritarianism. It's a whole other argument that France itself has occupied many territories across history, and continues to exploit various regions in Africa for their natural resources. The (French) man's folly is indirectly explored in episode four, when it is proposed that Obelix temporarily become the chief, seeing as he's the only one left with superpowers. The proposal encourages other members of the village to throw their hat in the ring as well; for a while, defeating Ceramix and protecting the sovereignty of the village is forgotten, as the Gauls begin fighting among themselves. There mere whiff of power awakens something inside them, a latent desire to be dictators themselves. The pure-hearted Obelix, on the other hand, turns down the offer. He's more than happy chipping away at his 'menhirs'. A still from Asterix & Obelix: The Big Fight. The Big Fight combines Uderzo's instantly recognisable character design with brand spanking new animation. It takes a moment to train your mind to accept Asterix and his friends as 3D characters, but not too long. What's most striking about this new series is the obvious attention to detail that Chabat and Joubert have paid to the visual language. The lighting is extraordinary, adding a dimension that was wholly missing from the comics — mainly because of the medium's inherent constraints. The story is based only one book; it plays like a two-and-a-half-hour-long movie, and not an episodic show. While this might deter television purists, it'll certainly appeal to Asterix enthusiasts. There's an opportunity here to adapt other books in the series, but you'd wonder if a four-year turnaround is a feasible production model. The obvious move would've been to make hour-long episodes based on individual books, like the Tintin series, but they clearly wanted to create something more expansive. As vibrant as the show is, it's the flashback-centred first episode that delivers a charm-offensive so powerful that it might've gulped a glass of magic potion itself.
Hamilton Spectator
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
Trending on Netflix and Crave: Must-watch series and movies premiering and streaming this weekend
Each week, Netflix and Crave unveil a list of the top-ranked titles to stream, including newly released and trending content. These are the current highest-ranked series, films and premieres in Canada for each respective platform this week, and worth watching this weekend. Netflix features a daily top 10 chart on its streaming platform based on views in Canada. The following titles have made this week's list in their respective categories: 1. 'You' (Season 5) 2. 'Sullivan's Crossing' 3. 'Battle Camp' 4. 'Asterix & Obelix: The Big Fight' 5. 'Turning Point: The Vietnam War' 6. 'Ransom Canyon' 7. 'The Eternaut' 8. 'Chef's Table: Legends' 9. 'Special Ops: Lioness' 10. 'Black Mirror' (Season 7) 1. 'Exterritorial' 2. 'Havoc' 3. 'The Heartbreak Kid' 4. 'Den of Thieves 2: Pantera' 5. 'Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken' 6. 'Jewel Thief - The Heist Begins' 7. 'Life of the Party' 8. 'Bullet Train Explosion' 9. 'The Super Mario Bros. Movie' 10. 'Primal Fear' Each week, Crave releases a roundup of premieres, releases and trending titles to stream in Canada. Here is what made the cut for the week of May 1 to —7: '100 Foot Wave' (Season 3)' — May 1 'Drag Brunch Saved My Life' (Premiere) — May 2 'The Righteous Gemstones' (Season Finale) — May 4 Movies
South China Morning Post
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Asterix, Obelix now on Netflix, with animated miniseries out to gain them fans in US, Asia
France's beloved comic book heroes Asterix and Obelix have their latest incarnation in a Netflix miniseries that could win over new fans, notably in the United States and Asia. Advertisement The plucky Gauls, created by illustrator Albert Uderzo and writer René Goscinny in 1959, have a vast following thanks to the original comic books that have sold around 400 million copies. A series of big-budget French films – the latest took them to China in Asterix & Obelix: The Middle Kingdom, in 2023 – has also helped expand their reach. However, warrior Asterix and his powerful but dim-witted sidekick Obelix are yet to win over viewers in the United States and Britain, which have their own comic-book and animated hero characters from Marvel, Disney and other stables. Director Alain Chabat (white hair and glasses) with voice actors from the Netflix miniseries Asterix & Obelix: The Big Fight, in Paris. Photo: Reuters 'Often unfortunately in these markets, the Asterix films tend to be released in art house cinemas,' said Céleste Surugue, head of the Editions Albert René publishing company that owns the rights to the original comics.
Time of India
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
New on Netflix This Week (April 28–May 4): From The Eternaut to Bad Boy, 11 shows and movies you cannot ignore
New on Netflix This Week (April 28–May 4): Brace yourselves, Netflix junkies. The streaming gods have once again blessed us with a week so jam-packed, you might just need to call in sick purely out of respect. From fiery celebrity chefs to scandalous exes trying to fix their hot mess of a love life, this week's lineup is basically screaming: 'Cancel all plans. Now.' Here's everything new dropping between April 28 and May 4, and why your couch deserves some quality time with you. 1. Chef's Table: Legends (April 28) Food so divine, it'll make you question your life choices. Culinary gods Jamie Oliver, José Andrés, Alice Waters, and Thomas Keller finally get the Michelin-starred Netflix glow-up they deserve. It's the 10th anniversary of "Chef's Table" (yes, you're old), and Netflix is rolling out a feast fit for royalty. These are legends who literally changed how the world eats. Expect delicious shots of food, deep life philosophies, and probably a few tears over a perfect baguette. 2. Asterix & Obelix: The Big Fight (April 30) Magic potions, memory loss, and Roman chaos - oh my. Rome wants to crush the last Gaul village standing, but plot twist, the villagers have zero magic potion left, thanks to a forgetful wizard. A high-energy animated romp based on the beloved comics, directed by Alain Chabat and Fabrice Joubert. This one's pure nostalgia, high-stakes chaos, and the best excuse yet to relive your childhood. 3. Turning Point: The Vietnam War (April 30) The history lesson you actually want to binge. From the team that crushed souls with "Turning Point: 9/11," now comes the deep dive into the Vietnam War you didn't know you needed. Five gut-punch episodes loaded with raw footage, newly declassified files, and a brutal honesty America is still grappling with. Watch it, cry about humanity, then rant about it on social media. 4. The Eternaut (April 30) Toxic snow is falling. Good luck surviving. Buenos Aires, 1957: snow starts falling. Cute? NO. It's deadly, and it wipes out the city in a snap. Based on Argentina's iconic sci-fi comic, this apocalyptic series follows Juan Salvo and friends battling alien invaders and trying very hard not to die. So, all sci-fi nerds, your new obsession has arrived. 5. Cheat: Unfinished Business (April 30) Sun, scandal, and second chances. Bring popcorn. Eight exes who cheated reunite to… fix it? (Lol, okay.) Amanda Holden hosts this messy retreat where cheating exes face the partners they betrayed. Guided by relationship guru Paul C. Brunson, couples will either rekindle the flames or burn down whatever's left. This one's a reality TV at its most unhinged. 10/10 would emotionally spiral watching this. 6. Exterritorial (April 30) A mother on a mission... and no, she's not here to play nice. Sara, an ex-special forces powerhouse, storms a US consulate when her son vanishes inside. What she uncovers is a conspiracy so dark, even Jason Bourne would side-eye it. For the girlies who love espionage, high-stakes drama, and badass moms, this one's made just for you! 7. The Four Seasons (May 1) Friendships tested, marriages roasted - just your average vacation. Tina Fey, Steve Carell, and Colman Domingo headline this chaotic rom-com series about three couples whose picture-perfect lives start crumbling when secrets spill faster than cheap wine at a barbecue. Inspired by the 1981 classic movie, this one's smart, sharp, and devastatingly hilarious. Group chat drama, but elevated. 8. Angi: Fake Life, True Crime (May 1) A death, a plastic bag, and a mystery that's messier than your last situationship. Dive into one of Spain's most chilling true crimes - a suspicious death, a suspiciously convenient widow, and a case so twisted, it was nicknamed "The Almost Perfect Crime." True crime pals, assemble. This one's your next obsession. 9. The Biggest Fan (May 1) When your comeback plan accidentally ruins your whole life. A washed-up actress tries to reboot her career in Mexico only to meet her "biggest fan," who turns her whole life into a horror movie. Fame, delusion, and a lot of tequila await. Fame's a helluva drug. Watch for the chaos; stay for the gasps. 10. Bad Boy (May 2) From detention centre delinquent to comedian, the survival story you didn't know you needed. Based on true events, Bad Boy shows how humour becomes a survival weapon inside the brutal world of juvenile detention. Starring Daniel Chen and Guy Menaster, this is dark, raw and surprisingly hopeful. Tissue box required. 11. Unseen: Season 2 (May 2) Cleaner by day, vengeance by necessity. Our fave desperate housekeeper returns, and this time the stakes are bloodier, the villains nastier, and her patience thinner. With a crime syndicate breathing down her neck, expect fewer cleaning montages and more "stab first, cry later" energy. Early verdict suggests that female rage never looked so good. This week on Netflix is giving chaos, crime, cuisine, and catastrophic decisions, and frankly, we love to see it. Whether you're a sucker for high-stakes spying, messy exes, or gourmet food that'll make your instant noodles cry, there's a binge with your name on it. Netflix, once again, is the mother.
Time of India
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Is Asterix & Obelix: The Big Fight on Netflix based on a book? Here's what we know
We are here to give you all the details about the highly anticipated new animated series on Netflix, Asterix & Obelix: The Big Fight, before it premieres. One of the most important questions surrounding the release is whether or not it is based on a book. The simple answer to that question is yes — it is based on a book. Want to know more? Scroll down. Is Asterix & Obelix: The Big Fight on Netflix based on a book? Yes, the show is based on the seventh album of the well-known French-language comic series by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo. Astérix and Obélix's community fights the Roman invaders in the 1964 novel The Battle of the Chieftains (Le Combat des Chefs) after Getafix, loses his memory and the recipe for a magic elixir. What is Asterix & Obelix: The Big Fight about? According to Netflix, Rome is desperate to take control of the final autonomous village in Gaul, which is where Astérix and Obélix reside, in the middle of the first millennium. A magic potion is the Gauls' key to victory in war, but when the potion master suffers from amnesia, the peasants are forced to fend for themselves against the Romans' strength. Astérix and Obélix: The Big Fight release date Astérix and Obélix: The Big Fight will be released on Netflix April 30, 2025. Netflix describes it as, 'When their druid forgets how to prepare the magic potion, Asterix and Obelix must defend the village as Caesar plots to use a Gallic law against them.'
