Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra
French theatrical release poster
Directed by	Alain Chabat
Written by	Alain Chabat
Based on	Asterix and Cleopatra by René Goscinny Albert Uderzo
Produced by	Claude Berri
Starring	Gérard Depardieu Christian Clavier Jamel Debbouze Alain Chabat Monica Bellucci Claude Rich Gérard Darmon
Cinematography	Laurent Dailland
Edited by	Stéphane Pereira
Music by	Philippe Chany
Production companies	Katharina/Renn Productions TF1 Films Production Chez Wam
Distributed by	Pathé Distribution (France, United Kingdom and Switzerland) Miramax Films[1] (Select territories; through Buena Vista International[2])
Release dates	30 January 2002 (France) 18 October 2002 (UK) 24 June 2005 (USA)
Running time	107 min.
Countries	France Germany
Language	French
Budget	$58.5 million[3]
Box office	$128 million[4]

Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra (French: Astérix et Obélix : Mission Cléopâtre) is a 2002 French/German fantasy comedy film written and directed by Alain Chabat and adapted from the comic book series Asterix by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo. Based on the book Asterix and Cleopatra, which had previously been adapted into a 1968 animated film. A sequel to Asterix and Obelix vs. Caesar (1999), it is the second installment in the Asterix film series.

Christian Clavier and Gérard Depardieu reprise their roles as Asterix and Obelix, alongside newcomers Jamel Debbouze, Monica Bellucci, Claude Rich, Gérard Darmon, Édouard Baer, Dieudonné, and Chabat himself.

It was the most expensive French movie at that time, before being beaten by A Very Long Engagement two years later. A critical success, it was also a major box office success in France, becoming its most successful film in 36 years and second biggest commercial success of all time after 1966's La Grande Vadrouille.

Plot

Infuriated by belittlements, Queen Cleopatra makes a deal with Julius Caesar: if the Egyptians build a palace at Alexandria, in three months, which is larger than Caesar's palace in Rome he must acknowledge that Egypt was the greatest of nations. To perform this task, Cleopatra hires the architect Numerobis, on pain of death and much to the dismay of Pyradonis, Cleopatra's customary architect. He and his secretary Papyris discuss the druid Getafix (Panoramix in the original French), whose potion empowers its drinkers; and Numerobis goes in search of him.

Numerobis arrives in Gaul and persuades Getafix to embark with him to Alexandria. Once they arrive, they use the druid's magic potion to speed up the construction (with Cleopatra's permission), and Pyradonis realizes he must stop Numerobis from finishing the palace within the deadline by sabotage (such as getting Asterix, Obelix and Getafix lost in a pyramid, or framing them for Cleopatra's failed assassination). After failing multiple times, Pyradonis finally decides to inform Caesar about the potion's use and the potential victory of Cleopatra. Caesar knows the Gauls (having failed to capture their village multiple times) and decides to besiege the construction site until Asterix, Obelix and Getafix surrender. Numerobis, Papyris and the three Gallics defend the site and decide to inform Cleopatra of Caesar's actions. Meanwhile, Pyradonis and Numerobis, both after drinking the potion, fight in the site until Numerobis finally wins the duel. Cleopatra arrives on the battlefield and reprimands Caesar's lack of sportsmanship. The Romans are forced to stop the siege and assist in the continuation of the construction, which is finished on time. The palace is inaugurated and Caesar counterwillingly names Egypt the greatest Empire there ever was. Numerobis wins a large amount of gold, Getafix receives manuscripts from the Library of Alexandria, and all the protagonists partake in a banquet (including some of the movie's Roman antagonists).

Cast

Voice cast

Music

Release

References

External links

• Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra at IMDb
• Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra at Rotten Tomatoes
• Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra at Box Office Mojo