In the fortified camp of Totorum, hammy centurion Nebulus Nimbus and his scheming optio Felonius Caucus devise a new plan to conquer The Indomitable Village through an ancient Gaulish custom known as "The Big Fight". According to tradition, two chieftains may face each other in single combat, and the loser forfeits control of his village to the winner. The Romans sponsor Cassius Ceramix, a Gaulish chieftain who embraces Roman culture and imposes it on his village. Ceramix is eager to please the Romans, but reluctant to face Chief Vitalstatistix due to his access to the magic potion brewed by Getafix. So, they try and take the druid out of the picture, which apparently works when Obelix tries to save Getafix but ends up crushing him with a menhir. The druid survives, but has lost his memory and his mind (he even ends up liking Cacofonix's singing), so it's up to Asterix to try and find a way to cure him while training the chief for his upcoming bout.
The eponymous fight is a parody of professional boxing, hence why the translators gave the pro-Roman chieftain the name Cassius Ceramix; it's a reference to then-world heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali, whose birth name was Cassius Clay. Ceramix is certainly no pushover, and a truly integrated Roman, who insists that his villagers shave their moustaches, cut their hair short, and wear togas. He even orders the construction of an aqueduct, despite the fact that the river runs through their village.
I like the sense of jeopardy this story has, with the freedom of the village being at stake when Getafix is in no fit state to make the potion. I like the idea of a Rocky-style training montage, but most of the time is dedicated to trying to cure Getafix as he concocts potions which either explode or turn the drinkers funny colours. However, that still gets plenty of laughs, especially when Asterix tries to enlist the aid of Psychoanalytix, a druid who treats mental disorders. Unfortunately, this plan goes wrong when Obelix tries to demonstrate how Getafix went into his condition.
Overall, this one's pretty good. Especially when Vitalstatistix gets a moment to truly shine.
Anyway, I'll be back tomorrow, where I'll look at Asterix in Britain.
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