Mini-review: "Asterix And The Vikings" (2006)

Decades ago, I’d scuffle with schoolmates to get my hands on the "Asterix" comics by Frenchmen Rene Goscinny and Albert Uderzo. I loved their humorous tales of a tiny Gaulish village holding off the Romans by quaffing potions of super-strength. The best parts were the fights and the many puns, as in names like Getafix (the druid). Both elements are present in this animated movie which sees the little hero in the winged helm and his menhir-lugging mate Obelix tasked with training the chief’s nephew, Justforkix. Pity the lad’s an olden-day hippie more into dancing than making war. When do the vikings come into it, you ask? Well, while searching for the meaning of fear (you'll find out), a raiding party take Justforkix prisoner, thus forcing Asterix and Obelix to take their brand of violent chaos to Norway. While it was nice seeing a childhood favourite brought to the screen, hearing Hollywood actors such as Sean Astin and Paul Giamatti voicing the characters annoyed the hell out of me.

[Australian DVD release date: June 6.]