The Film:
Asterix is one of those cartoon series that is very well known worldwide, but in the UK at least, doesn't really make much of an impact. Based upon a series of French comics written by René Goscinny with illustrations by Albert Uderzo, Asterix has now appeared in over 15 movies aswell as TV series. The movies have appeared in both animated and live action formats with the animated films obviously cheaper to produce and also seemingly more successful with the youngsters the characters are aimed at. With many recurring and instantly recognisable characters, as each film makes a profit another is inevitably made. This 2006 animated feature has been recognised as one of the more successful Asterix films of late and a 2008 film, Asterix At The Olympics, has already been announced.
Asterix And The Vikings focuses upon Justforkix (voiced by Sean Astin in this English dub), who is the nephew of village leader Vitalstatistix. Justforkix has been sent to his Uncle to be trained into a warrior and therefor to become a man. To train him, Vitalstatistix chooses his best warriors, Asterix (Paul Giamatti) and Obelix (Brad Garrett - Best known as Robert in TV's Everybody Loves Raymond). As Justforkix doesn't like the training that Asterix and Obelix are providing he walks off and is kidnapped by a gang of vikings who believe he is the 'Champion Of Fear', a man who can make anyone so scared they can fly. It is up to Asterix and Obelix to rescue him before Justforkix's father returns to the village. One problem though, Justforkix has fallen in love with viking girl Abba (Evan Rachel Wood).
The first thing that struck me about the film was how they have tried to bring Asterix into the 21st century with Justforkix being a vegetarian and only wanting to eat organic food and Abba being somewhat of a feminist standing up for women's rights to go on a raid with the Viking men. The soundtrack was also quite upbeat, and probably my favourite part of the film, including such classics as Eye Of The Tiger. Despite all this modernisation though, the film itself lacked pace and a good storyline. Although the plot is there, we are strung through too many set pieces to either get to a musical section of the film or an attempt for a big belly laugh (of which there are few). The voice acting is OK, though I think a better choice for Obelix would've been good as although he is a 'slow' character, he is also chirpy, which Brad Garrett just doesn't portray very well. Kids will love this film and after all, it is aimed at them, but the adults usually forced to watch these films with their kids might not find it as enjoyable as your run-of-the-mill Disney or Pixar attempt.
The DVD:
Video:
Slightly cropped from the original aspect ratio of 1.85:1, Optimum Home Entertainment have provided the film with an anamorphic transfer set at 1.78:1 and as you would expect for something made just last year, it's excellent with the only problem coming from the animation. Although the animation is good throughout, some of the darker scenes involving the Vikings lack a certain clarity and definition between shades of black.
Audio:
Now then, this is a little disappointing from Optimum Home Entertainment. Originally a French film, we only get an English dub which is provided on a Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround track. Normally I wouldn't mind too much, but this is a joint release with French company Studio Canal so I would've thought that the French track would've been here like it is on other releases. Not only that, but the Canadians and French get both a dubbed and original 5.1 track. What we do have from Optimum is sufficient and although more use could've been made of the surrounds, it just seems we the UK have been robbed of what could've been better soundtracks. No subtitles are available.
Extras:
None.
