The plucky cartoon heroes return in the sequel to Asterix And Obelix Vs Caesar, which sees the herculean chums venturing to Egypt to help a friend win a bet.

Cairo, 52BC: Empress Cleopatra (Monica Bellucci) has given her heart to Roman emperor Julius Caesar (Alain Chabat), but she is becoming tired of his sarcasm.

So to prove the superiority of the Egyptian people once and for all, she offers Caesar a wager - that her people can build the emperor the most splendid palace in the world in just three months.

It seems impossible, but if Cleopatra succeeds, Caesar must publicly declare the superiority of her people over the Romans.

She hires ambitious young architect Edifis (Jamel Debbouze) to oversee the project - but if the palace isn't completed in time, he will become a snack for her famished pet crocodiles.

Understandably concerned by the time limit, Edifis asks for help from Asterix (Christian Clavier), Obelix (Gerard Depardieu) and Druid Miraculix (Claude Rich), who board the first boat to Egypt to lend a hand (with help from the Druid's legendary potions).

However, arch-enemy Artifis (Gerard Darmon) plots to sabotage Edifis's carefully laid plans.

Performances are suitably larger than life - Depardieu is a hoot - and the special effects are impressive, while the sequel foregoes the atrocious dubbing, that blighted the first film.