New generation Asterix: Netflix gives the heroes a contemporary coat of paint

So Asterix and Obelix look for the Netflix generation: Obelix is ​​still wearing blue and white pants, Asterix is ​​a smile and the fish from dealers have long since exceeded the best before date. But a lot is different if, after more than 60 years, 40 albums and 15 films, the first trick series about the iconic figures starts: Netflix is ​​in a contemporary way in the fifth divider « Asterix & Obelix: The struggle of the chiefs » (from April 30th).

There is a female heroine who warns of Roman cultural imperialism, a muscle man called « Fasandfurious » and even a blown trigger warning: « This eating scene can be disturbing, especially if you are a wild boar ». This is funny at first, but most recently the series mutates into a superhero spectacle with wild boar and Hinkelstein.

The plot is based on the album « The Combat of the Chief » by René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo published in 1966. As usual, we are 50 BC. BC, all of Gaul is occupied by the Romans, except for the famous Gallic village, the residents of which are invincible with the help of a potion. In order to finally seize power, Caesar has a traditional struggle between chief Majestix and a rival Gallic village boss organized who collaborates with Rome. When Druide Miraculix is ​​hit by a Hinkelstein and can no longer brew a magic potion, good advice is expensive.

In the first three episodes, the Netflix series is still surprisingly entertaining, although the 3D animation is of course a matter of taste. Many surfaces from the Roman pilum (throwing spear) to the barte of the druid are very vivid, but the skin of the figures, on the other hand, looks strange as made of plasticine-knet mass and the eyes.

But comic purists also have to admit that the makers have come up with many details, it won’t be boring. Caesar’s gigantic reception hall would even let Wladimir Putin pale with envy, and the mother of the Roman general is wonderfully decadent.

Nostalgia factors included

Targeted anachronisms have always been the salt in the soup at Asterix, so a Zenturio once had the facial features of the actor Lino Ventura, and they also have plenty in the series: a mosaic has the optics of the computer game « Minecraft », a Gallier is called « Zehmillionklix », the confused Druide Miraculix dances like John Travolta in « Pulp fiction », There are smiling ripening sentences such as « no systematic assignment, please » or: « If there is something that never changes the climate ».

In the end, the plot becomes more and more turbulent. The venue for the struggle of chiefs is an antique Disneyland and roller coaster, Hau the Lukas and speaker announcements such as « Little Romulus wants to be picked up on the wolf enclosure ».

The spectacle in the ring is presented live by a moderation duo, as you know it from television. But the closer it goes in the direction of the fight, the more the series of the charm is lost, at the end of the action -packed wedge there is only missing that someone says: « Yippie yah yei pig bake! »

Netflix announced the series after René Goscinny and Albert Uderzo’s popular heroes four years ago, actually it was supposed to start in 2023, but production was delayed. Series creator is Alain Chabat, who already directed the real film « Asterix and Obelix: Mission Kleopatra » (2002) and also played Julius Caesar.

In the Netflix series, he shares the director with animator Fabrice Joubert. If you prefer to read your Asterix comics than you can see more on the screen, you don’t have to wait long for supplies: the 41st album (« Asterix in Lusitania ») should appear in October.