Quartile rating: 7/10 · 1 rating
Popular animated hero Asterix and his faithful sidekick Obelix travel to ancient Egypt to help Cleopatra build a new summer home. Cleopatra and Julius Caesar have made a bet, with Caesar wagering the project cannot be completed in a few weeks time. With the help of a magic potion, Asterix comes to the rescue of the Queen of the Nile as Caesar and an angry architect plot against them.
Asterix and Cleopatra is a charming and witty French animated feature that faithfully adapts one of the most beloved Asterix comic albums. The plot is light but cleverly structured around the bet between Cleopatra and Caesar, with fun comic set-pieces and wordplay typical of the Goscinny-Uderzo tradition. The animation is serviceable for its era but not particularly ambitious, with limited movement and flat backgrounds. Voice acting is adequate but variable depending on the language version. Novelty is moderate — the film sits firmly within the Asterix formula but benefits from the distinctively French satirical humour and the memorable Egyptian setting, which gives it a somewhat unique flavour among period animated films of its time. The ending wraps up neatly and satisfyingly in classic Asterix fashion with the obligatory village banquet.