Asterix and the Falling Sky (Asterix)

This book is in my opinion a great comedy. One thing that makes it in my
opinion a great improvement of all the Asterix adventures is that it has
completely new and entirely different characters in it. It has almost no-
thing to do with the romans like in almost all the other asterix stories that were written by Goscinny and some others written by Uderzo. There were almost always in by far most of the Asterix adventures some kind of conflict involved in the stories. Then it always went the same way. Asterix quickly drinks some magic potion and then he and Obelix start bashing the roman soldiers and stopping them in their tracks. In some cases at home the whole village's men tackled the romans and always end
up with the romans beaten up and lying around on the ground like corpses,
spears broken, swords bent in all ways, their armour messed up and broken
and shields and helmets lying around and trampled like tin cans. There
is nothing like that in this story. The story follows a completely different path. Unlike the other Aterix stories, this one is a story of
total misunderstanding and confusion. For example. The villagiers and the two roman legionaries haven't the slightest idea how they ended up in the
village when they woke up again. Or why the magic potion has no effect on
their strange visitors. Instead after quite a while it blew the little
blue guy (Toon) up to a gigantic size aswell as the yellow enemy guy when he took off in his space rocket again in the greatest of anger thinking
he was fooled by Getafix and Asterix by not giving him the real stuff.
Another funny misunderstanding is when Asterix was offered a hotdog, he
doesn't think that it could just simply be the name of the dish. He takes
it litterally as it was said, thinking that they truely eat cooked dogs'
meat. I am one of the greatest fans of the Asterix adventures. I love these stories. Through many years of my life I bought and read these books over and over. I have collected all the Asterix books and everywhere I went I always had a book with me. Even when I was still in
school before I was a teenager I always took a book with me and read it
whenever I could - even during class when the teacher wasn't busy with us. I even take these books to work, still to read it when I have a chance. I know these Asterix books like I know my own name and I think this one is by far one of the best.

This Asterix album will appeal mostly to children. (3/3 people found this helpful)

This certainly is an odd entry in the Asterix saga. Perhaps Uderzo is running out of ideas, since he needed to introduce aliens. The story is only mildly interesting although it has its moments, but at no point does it reach the same level as the old adventures. The art is great as always though.

I wish I could give it 2,5 stars, but since that's not possible I give it two stars. While most of the Asterix adventures deserve 5 stars and are always great fun for both kids and adults, this one probably appeals more to kids. They're usually great adventures full of humour. This one is neither. I still don't think it's as awful as most reviewers seems to think. It's good enough to kill some time with, but that's all. Asterix fans might want to check it out but don't have too high expectations. If Albert Udernzo would happen to read this, please, put some heart into the story next time, and if you can't come up with a better story than this, please hire a writer.

Asterix and the Falling Sky (8/8 people found this helpful)

Few Asterix fans would would not want to give Albert Uderzo credit for keeping the much loved series running single-handedley since the untimely death of partner Rene Goscinny. Every four years, without fail Asterix fans have a new album to enjoy and though the scripts have never quite managed to equal Goscinny's talents, Uderzo has done a more than capable job on that front, notably 'Asterix and Son' and the more recent 'All At Sea' being just as good as Any Asterix classic.

Which is why it hurts to admit the great man just may have finally run out of ideas. Asterix and the Falling Sky is quite simply the worst Asterix album ever. Aside from having the most improbable (and fairly ludicrous) plot, there is not one outstanding moment in the entire book.

An encounter between Extra-terrestrial good guys and bad guys reigns overhead whilst Asterix and company mostly observe and occasionally get involved. Had the adventure actually taken place in outer space it may well have been improved but you get the impression Uderzo just didn't have the energy to create an entire new world, and just settled for these non-spectacular Aliens (including a host of Arnold Schwarzenegger clones) slugging it out over the village we all know and love so well.

Without wishing to give away any of the plot (no danger of that when there isn't one) this is little more than a few half-baked ideas strewn together. The good guy Alien (named 'Toon') ultmiately rewards the villagers for their half-hearted assistance by erasing their memories so that they would have no recollection of this entire adventure. If only he could have done the same for me.

Dire (10/12 people found this helpful)

I have learnt my lesson; no more Asterix. I recently found all my old copies and was struck by the wit and warmth displayed. I knew that things had gone downhill but thought that I would give this a go. I advise you not to. If you are new to Asterix buy "Asterix in Britain" or "the Laurel Wreath" or any really. But don't get this one. It's dire. It reminds me of sitcoms which run out of ideas and just have people shouting at each other rather than humour. So don't do it.

Welcome to 21st Century (10/19 people found this helpful)

This book brilliant. Its is witty, sharp, full of childrens' and adults' humour. Traditionalists will find it difficult as Uderzo is not living in the past but trying to keep Asterix moving forward. With digs at Manga, Disney and G W Bush, this is hilarious in the same way Obelix and Co was.

The art as always is beautiful with real attention to detail. If anything, Uderzo is keeping up with modern Bande Dessine writing, the Continental Europeans will love this. Those brits who don't like change and growth then read the old adventures but if you like to see characters change and grow and develop then open your eyes, buy, read and enjoy!

Asterix and the Falling Sky (Asterix)

Albert Uderzo

Reader Reviews:

Cobus Steenekamp (0/4 people found this helpful)

This Asterix album will appeal mostly to children. (3/3 people found this helpful)

Asterix and the Falling Sky (8/8 people found this helpful)

Dire (10/12 people found this helpful)

Welcome to 21st Century (10/19 people found this helpful)

Similar Products

Categories