Asterix and the Vikings

Asterix and the Vikings (released in French as Astérix et les Vikings and Danish as Asterix og Vikingerne) is a 2006 animated adventure film based on the French comic book series Asterix, written by Stefan Fjeldmark and Jean-Luc Gossens, and directed by Fjeldmark and Jesper Møller. A loose adaptation of the story of the comic album Asterix and the Normans, written by René Goscinny and illustrated by Albert Uderzo, the plot follows Asterix and Obelix trying to train the nephew of their village's chief, only to find themselves rescuing him from a tribe of vikings who believe him to be a Champion of Fear.

Asterix and the Vikings
French theatrical release poster
Directed by	Stefan Fjeldmark Jesper Møller
Written by	Stefan Fjeldmark Jean-Luc Goossens
Based on	Asterix and the Normans by René Goscinny Albert Uderzo
Produced by	Thomas Valentin
Starring	Sean Astin Brad Garrett Paul Giamatti Evan Rachel Wood Greg Proops
Narrated by	Jeff Bennett
Edited by	Martin Wichmann Andersen Anders Hoffmann
Music by	Alexandre Azaria
Production companies	A. Film A/S Mandarin SAS 2D3D Animations
Distributed by	SND
Release date	April 12, 2006 (2006-04-12)
Running time	78 minutes
Countries	Denmark France
Language	English
Box office	$22.5 million[1]

The ensemble voice cast features Roger Carel and Jacques Frantz as Asterix and Obelix, with Paul Giamatti and Brad Garrett headlining the English dub. Unlike most Asterix films, the film was produced in English first^[2] and the voice cast consisted of American actors. This adaptation introduced new characters, anachronistic references about modern technology, and cover versions of pop songs, such as "Get Down on It" by Kool and the Gang, "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor and "Super Freak" by Rick James.

Plot

A succession of raids leaves a tribe of Vikings without anyone to fight against them. The tribe's adviser, Cryptograf, concludes that their enemies have all fled, stating that "fear gives you wings". The Viking's chief, Timandahaf, misinterprets his adviser's words and declares they must find a "Champion of Fear", believing that if the tribe were to become great cowards, they'll be able to fly and become invincible. Cryptograf, secretly wishing to seize power from Timandahaf, goes along with it and declares that they'll find who they seek within Gaul. While en route, Timandahaf is shocked to learn that his daughter Abba snuck aboard disguised as a man, after he refused to take her with him. Despite being angry, he reluctantly keeps her among his crew.

Meanwhile, in the rebel village of the Gauls, the villagers welcome the arrival of chief Vitalstatistix's nephew Justforkix, who is to be trained to be a man. However, his nephew is more interested in chasing girls, using a bird to send messages to them, and is a vegetarian, much to the shock of Obelix. Obelix and Asterix attempt to train him to be a warrior, but lack success because of his pacifist nature and his refusal to drink the village's magic potion, which gives the villagers their super-human strength. When the Vikings arrive near their village, Cryptograf explains to his incredibly stupid son Olaf that he could claim Abba as his wife if he were to capture the Champion, thus putting him next in line as the tribe's chief, with his father secretly calling the shots.

When Olaf captures Justforkix, after witnessing his cowardice, Asterix and Obelix find themselves having to rescue him before his father visits their village. Travelling to Norway, the pair attempt to rescue Justforkix. However, he refuses to leave as he has fallen in love with Abba and she with him. When the vikings test Justforkix's flying skills by throwing him from a cliff, Cryptograf secretly rigs up a rope to him that causes him to be suspended in the foggy air. Tricked into believing he is the Champion, the Vikings rush to Olaf's wedding ceremony, leaving Justforkix to be rescued by Asterix and Obelix. Before they can take him back to Gaul, Justforkix secretly takes some magic potion, and swims back to the Viking's village.

Despite the risk, Justforkix rescues Abba, managing to fly by making an improvised hang-glider from a ship's mast and sail. While Cryptograf and Olaf are shunned for their deception, the Vikings travel back to the Gauls' village to celebrate the wedding of Justforkix and Abba. When Cacofonix decides to sing during the ceremony, the Vikings finally experience real fear and make a run for it. When Asterix asks him what fear is good for, Getafix explains how real courage means overcoming fears.

Cast

Character	English (Original)[3]	French
Justforkix	Sean Astin[3]	Lorànt Deutsch
Obelix	Brad Garrett[3]	Jacques Frantz
Asterix	Paul Giamatti[3]	Roger Carel
Abba	Evan Rachel Wood[3]	Sara Forestier
Olaf	Diedrich Bader[3]	Michel Vigné
Unhygienix		Bernard Métraux
Dogmatix	Dee B. Baker[3]	Roger Carel
SMS Pigeon		Barbara Tissier
Getafix	Jeff Bennett[3]	Vania Vilers
Narrator		Pierre Tchernia
Doublehelix	Corey Burton[3]	Luc Florian
Impedimenta	Grey DeLisle[3]	Marion Game
Fulliautomatix	John DeMita[3]	Pascal Renwick
Nescaf		Philippe Catoire
Timandahaf	John DiMaggio[3]	Marc Alfos
Fotograf	Jack Fletcher[3]	Bruno Dubernat
Cacofonix	Jess Harnell[3]	Bernard Alane
Vitalstatistix	Daran Norris[3]	Vincent Grass
Cryptograf	Greg Proops[3]	Pierre Palmade
Dubbledekabus	Dwight Schultz[3]	Roland Timsit
Vikea	April Winchell[3]	Brigitte Virtudes

Additional Voices

• English (Original): Jack Fletcher (Redbeard, Caraf),^[3] Philip Proctor,^[3] Jill Talley,^[3] David Rasner,^[3] Jonathan Nichols^[3]
• French: Gérard Surugue (Geriatrix), Jules Azem (Young Viking #1), Stéphane Fourreau (Olibrius), Med Hondo (Pirate Lookout), Victor Naudet (Young Viking #2)

Reception

Critical reaction to Asterix and the Vikings was generally mixed, with much praise on the animation and voice acting, but with criticisms on the film's script.

Box office

• In the Netherlands, the film has grossed a total of € 361,747.^[4] The Dutch name for the film is "Asterix en de Vikingen".