Customer Reviews

Asterix And The Falling Sky

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

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.

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.

Dear Me, Dear Me, Dear Me. What can one say? Possibly one of the worst of the lot. It starts off with an interesting enough premise but then gets sucked into a dreary story about fighting aliens. The Romans are pretty much sidelined, the pirates get two (count em!) frames and the crowning 'Oh My God' a tribute to Walt Disney on the last page.

One strictly for fans and, given the time it takes to produce a book, if this is the last of the stories then more a Gaulish Famine than a Gaulish Feast

A big disappointment. There is no real plot, the characters are predictable and there is none of the underlying humour that makes these books appeal to adults and children. In the past the Asterix book has managed to merge ideas that were out of time with the setting of Asterix (ie the discovery of America) really well, but it falls flat this time.

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.

seems like they have run out of ideas on this one,its just a bit silly.stick with the early ones.

As a 37 year-old, long-term fan of the Asterix series, I am very disappointed in this book. It has a very shallow story line, with little of the adventure and imagination that made me a fan of the earlier books. The older books offered something for both children and adults - this title does not.

I totally agree with everyone who gave this book a low rating. It is, without a shred of a doubt, the WORST book in the series, and is an utter insult to these hilarious and lovable characters and their fans (and I've been one since the age of 6).

It starts out good enough. Our two favourite Gauls are hunting for their boars as usual, when they discover that something is not right: all of the animals in the forest are in a paralyzed, freezing state. Upon returning to the village, they find everyone in the same state; except Getafix. Suddenly, a giant, golden metal ball (?!) appears in the sky...and aliens start popping out of nowhere.

Yes, ALIENS. Beings from another planet that use computers and other technological gadgets to beat the living daylight out of each other. And they land in a Gaulish village in the year 50 B.C. Need I go on?

Many fans have complained for years that the series went downhill after René Goscinny's death in 1977. I, however, disagree with this: every book that Albert Uderzo did before this one was brilliant in both art and story; adding his own twists and still pulling it off with great skill. Nevertheless, his collaboration with Goscinny has remained one of the greatest in comic book history.

Which is why I simply don't understand why he would go so far as to insult their creation and fans on such a low level. There was no need for this book when all the others are such masterpieces; it feels like a potboiler at best (and it even fails on that level). Deep down I can't but get the feeling that someone else wrote this trash and used Uderzo as a scapegoat; or perhaps the whole book is a piece of fan-fiction in disguise. Whatever it is, it is NOT Asterix.

I will always be a fan of this series, and I don't want it to end as much as the next person. However, if this is but a fragment of what is to come, then it will be merciful to give it the axe.

Therefore, I do not recommend this book at all; either to old fans or new.

Great Asterix book with a twist. This is a book written completely by Albert Uderzo and he has made it different to the way his partener Rene Gocsinny wrote. I think the way he did it was very good because it was a very different story and I think it worked very well but you could complain that it didn't fit in with the rest of the series. Good book

Although i baught the "used" copy of the book, it was top notch and in perfect condition, if i didnt know better i wouldnt even know that it was a used copy. Not to mention the book arrived before the estimated delivery date, so very fast shipping. An excellent purchase imo.