Story
Asterix: The Secret of the Magic Potion begins when the druid Getafix (Thomas Rau) is out collecting mistletoe one day. He falls from a great height and breaks his foot. Now reliant on Obelisk (C. Ernst Harth) to get him around, Getafix realises he needs an apprentice druid to replace him when he’s no longer able to perform his duties. Getafix is the only person in the Gallic village who knows the secret magic potion that gives the villagers the strength and height to fight off the Roman invaders. So he sets off with Asterix (Christian Clavier), Obelisk and a young, feisty girl, Pectine (Barbara Bandeira), in search of a replacement.
Getafix consults the grand council of druids, who give him a list of candidates. Getafix and his company travel great distances to interview each candidate. Meanwhile, an evil druid called Demonix (Daniel Mesguich) is plotting to steal the recipe for the magic potion and trade it to the Romans in return for ownership of the Gallic village and much more.
Demonix finds the young Teleferix (Alex Lutz), a candidate for replacing Getafix, before Getafix does. Demonix tries to convince Teleferix to help him. Demonix is partly successful in persuading Teleferix, but a battle ensues between the Gauls, the Romans and Demonix. Teleferix is needed to make the magic potion, just in time to save the Gauls.
Themes
Fantasy; good versus evil; magic
Violence
Asterix: The Secret of the Magic Potion has a lot of violence. This is partly because the Gauls love to fight the Romans and each other. There are constant punch-ups and characters getting thrown into trees and other objects. No-one is injured.
A lot of the violence in this movie is presented to make viewers laugh. For example:
- A spear hits a boat and makes it split in half. The occupants sink beneath the water.
- The village children all fight each other, and the women also punch people.
- Two of the Gauls, Fulliatomatix and Unhygienix, often have heated verbal arguments.
- Obelisk ends up with his head in a hollow tree.
- Fulliatomatix and Unhygienix make a potion that blows up in their faces and leaves their hair and beards singed.
There’s also other violence in Asterix: The Secret of the Magic Potion. For example:
- Getafix falls from a great height while tending to a young chick. He breaks his foot when he lands.
- Demonix attacks Getafix with fire, which he conjures up in his hands.
- Demonix has a spell that turns people into statues.
- The Romans attack the Gauls with spears and boulders, which they hurl over the walls. The Gauls fight back and defeat the Roman soldiers.
- Demonix self-combusts and sets fire to the forest.
- Asterix is caught and tied to a tree with chains. He has a gag in his mouth.
- The Roman army attacks the village when the Gauls have no magic potion left. The soldiers march into the village with swords and shields, and the Gauls all scream.
- Demonix grabs Teleferix by the throat. Pectine attacks Demonix with a potion, which makes him turn red and bubbly. Demonix then drinks all of the potion, which makes him glow red and black. He starts throwing fire everywhere.
- A battle breaks out between Demonix, the Gauls and the Romans. The Romans throw spears at the Gauls, and Demonix throws fire at the Roman towers, which collapse. Demonix throws fire at Getafix, who falls to the ground.
- Getafix creates an army out of all the villagers, including the children, by giving them a potion. They move as one huge iron horse with spears pointing up. They attack Demonix, who goes flying up into space.
Sexual references
Asterix: The Secret of the Magic Potion has no sexual references, but Pectine isn’t allowed into the sacred forest of the druids because she’s a girl. She has to disguise herself as a boy.
Alcohol, drugs and other substances
Asterix: The Secret of the Magic Potion shows a lot of substance use. For example:
- Magic potions give the villagers extra strength and powers. The potions help the villagers grow much bigger and defeat the enemy.
- The druids have a gathering that includes a lot of ale drinking.
- Unhygienix, who is still floating at the end of the movie, says that he’s ‘high as a kite’.
Nudity and sexual activity
None
Product placement
None
Coarse language
Asterix: The Secret of the Magic Potion has some coarse language and a lot of name-calling.
Ideas to discuss with your children
Asterix: The Secret of the Magic Potion is an animated movie based on the characters in the famous comic books by Renee Goscinny.
The movie is set in ancient times, and much of the humour might go over children’s heads. Because of its violence, the movie isn’t recommended for children under eight years. But older children and teenagers will probably enjoy it.
The main message from this movie is that good wins over evil.
Values in this movie that you could reinforce with your children include teamwork, identity and a sense of belonging, courage and bravery.
This movie could also give you the chance to talk with your children about real-life issues like gender-based discrimination. For example, why isn’t Pectine allowed into the forest? Why were girls treated differently to boys in those days?