Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra Astérix et Obélix : Mission Cléopâtre ) is a 2002 fantasy comedy film directed by Alain Chabat
, who also wrote the screenplay. It is the second live-action installment in the film series and is based on the 1965 comic book Asterix and Cleopatra by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo. Movie Overview
: The Egyptian Queen Cleopatra wagers against Julius Caesar that her people can build a magnificent palace in just three months. To achieve this impossible task, the architect (Numerobis) enlists the help of the druid and his powerful magic potion, accompanied by Starring Cast Gérard Depardieu Christian Clavier as Asterix Monica Bellucci as Cleopatra Jamel Debbouze as Edifis (Numerobis) Alain Chabat as Julius Caesar Release Date : January 30, 2002 (France). Technical Details : The film has a running time of approximately 107 minutes
. It was the most expensive French film ever made at the time of its release, with a budget of about $54.4 million
(€50 million), and it became a massive box office success, grossing over $131 million Key Features asterixandobelixmissioncleopatra2002720p
Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra (2002) - Full cast & crew
In the context of the "topic" requesting a 720p resolution review: The film benefits significantly from High Definition viewing. The intricate details of the Egyptian sets, the textures of the costumes, and the vibrant primary colors (reds, blues, and golds) are preserved well in 720p (HD Ready) transfers. The 2.35:1 aspect ratio is well-suited for the epic landscapes, and the 720p resolution allows for clear viewing of the fast-paced action sequences and the background sight-gags that might be lost in standard definition (480p). The Dolby Digital audio tracks usually accompanying 720p rips preserve the iconic soundtrack, including the hit song "Mission Cleopatra" by Soprano.
Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra is widely regarded as one of the most successful comic-book adaptations in the history of French cinema and arguably the best live-action adaptation of the Asterix franchise to date. Directed by Alain Chabat, the film captures the visual splendor of the Albert Uderzo illustrations while infusing the script with a modern, satirical, and distinctly French comedic sensibility.
Following the commercial success of the first live-action film, Asterix & Obelix Take on Caesar (1999), this sequel aimed for a grander scale. It achieved massive box office success in France and across Europe, cementing the status of its lead actors—Christian Clavier and Gérard Depardieu—as the definitive live-action versions of the Gaulish heroes for a generation. Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra Astérix et Obélix
Released on January 30, 2002, Mission Cleopatra was the second live-action adaptation of René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo’s beloved comics. Directed by and starring Alain Chabat (as Julius Caesar), the film boasted a then-record €49 million budget, making it the most expensive French film of its time.
The plot is pure Goscinny: To defy Caesar’s contempt for Egyptian culture, Cleopatra (Monica Bellucci) bets Caesar that her people can build a magnificent palace for him in just three months. She tasks the architect Numerobis (Jamel Debbouze) with the job. Fearing for his life, Numerobis hires the indomitable Gauls Asterix (Christian Clavier) and Obelix (Gérard Depardieu) as bodyguards and secret weapons.
What followed was not just a box office smash (over 24 million admissions in France), but a cultural phenomenon. The film’s dialogue—full of modern slang, anachronisms, and rapid-fire wordplay—became quotable scripture for a generation.
Director Alain Chabat and cinematographer Laurent Dailland shot Mission Cleopatra with a vibrant, almost hyper-saturated palette. The 720p resolution (1280x720 pixels) is the minimum threshold required to appreciate three key visual elements: Chabat injected a manic
Before discussing pixels and codecs, it is essential to understand why Mission Cleopatra deserves the archival treatment. Directed by and starring Alain Chabat (who plays Julius Caesar), the film is the second live-action entry in the Asterix franchise. Unlike its predecessor (Asterix & Obelix vs. Caesar) which took a more dramatic tone, Chabat injected a manic, surreal, and distinctly modern comedic energy into Ancient Egypt.
The Plot: Cleopatra (Monica Bellucci) makes a bet with Caesar: She claims the Egyptian people can build a grand palace in the middle of the desert in just three months. To accomplish this, she hires the eccentric architect Edifis (Jamel Debbouze), who summons his old friend Asterix and the super-strong Obelix (Gérard Depardieu) from Gaul. With their magic potion, they help Edifis fend off corrupt builders, jealous rivals, and the Roman army.
Why it works: