Common Sense Media Review
By Andrea Beach
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Animated French tale has cartoon violence, some laughs.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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Asterix and the Vikings
What's the Story?
In ASTERIX AND THE VIKINGS, Teen Justforkix (Sean Astin) is sent to a small village in Gaul to be trained by Asterix (Paul Giamatti) and Obelix (Brad Garrett) in the manly ways of the warrior. Meanwhile a Viking tribe has decided that Justforkix is the key they need to learn how to fly and become the most powerful warriors in the world. When the Vikings kidnap Justofrkix and take him back to their own land, he starts to fall for Abba (Evan Rachel Wood), daughter of the Viking ruler who's engaged to the evil Olaf (Diedrich Bader). How long can Justforkix hide that he can't fly? And will Abba be forced to marry Olaf?
Is It Any Good?
This animated adventure, part of a popular French comic-book franchise, has plenty of big-kid and tween appeal from cartoonish mayhem, slapstick, and colorfully silly characters. And they'll enjoy a lot of the zaniness, as well as some tension and suspense, that drive a story of a couple of teens who resist the traditional roles their parents and society have laid out for them. The strong English-language cast includes both genuine Hollywood stars and voice-acting veterans who all add to the fun.
There are some dated representations of fawning, giggly, teen girls and a cringe-worthy, but thankfully very brief, stereotyped black pirate. The animation is fine, nothing special. Fans of the franchise will enjoy Asterix and the Vikings, even if it's not the best. But the full-length running time and the way two story lines are shown side-by-side mean it's unlikely to hold little kids' interest for long.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about cartoon violence in Asterix and the Vikings. Is it different from real life? How? Why shouldn't you do what the characters do?
Why doesn't Justforkix like being a boy? Why doesn't Abba like being a girl? What's different about being a boy or a girl?
Have you seen any other Asterix movies, or read the comic books? If you have, which was your favorite? If you haven't, would you like to now?
Movie Details
- In theaters : May 19, 2006
- On DVD or streaming : November 28, 2006
- Cast : Sean Astin , Brad Garrett , Evan Rachel Wood , Paul Giamatti
- Directors : Stefan Fjeldmark , Jesper Moller
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Bisexual Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures
- Run time : 78 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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