The French have recently kicked up a huge fuss online regarding a McDonald’s advert which features Asterix enjoying a burger and fries. The French see it as an insult to their national heritage while comic purists all around the world are enraged. I fall into the latter category.
I strongly feel that Asterix would never have eaten at McDonald’s. He’s a wild boar, magic potion, fish and gobble-gobble kinda guy. He’s rustic but debonair, and he knows quality food when he tastes it. I hope Obelix never lets him actually eat there. Disgraceful.
McDonalds has frequently been the focus of anti-American sentiment in France and is seen by many to symbolise the threat to French culture and cuisine posed by globalisation and homogenised junk food.
In 1999, anti-globalisation protesters led by Jose Bove dismantled a McDonalds restaurant in southwest France, dumping the rubble outside the local town hall.
Comments from the online world:
“My childhood hero sacrificed like a wild boar! What next? Tintin eating at Subway?”
“How ironic, the indomitable Gauls making an advert for the invaders.”
“Maybe Asterix the Sellout will save France from the junk food invaders and then do ads for wild boar a few pages later.”
“Do you remember in Asterix the Legionary how they complained about the army food? Guess now they just go the barrack McDs.”
“Asterix must be under some terrible Roman spell.”
“Are they going to do a boar-burger? Magic potion shakes? (These McD people are crazy)”
“After years of defending France from imperialist invaders, Asterix Is Lovin’ It. This is bad for Obelix.”
My opinions are best expressed as, “By Toutatis!”
McDonald’s campaign also features Cinderella pulling into a McDrive on a pumpkin.
They seem hellbent on championing childhood obesity, or at least keeping their place in the lead.
In 2008, the prevalence of child obesity was greater than 30 percent in six states, and greater than 25 percent in 32 states. Only one state, Colorado had the prevalence of child obesity below 20 percent ( Childhood Obesity in America ).
Is nothing safe from the world of blatant capitalism and consumerism? When the world is owned by giant corporations it’s difficult to protect even your most precious childhood memories. Long gone is the magic, originality, and creativity of Asterix our favourite Gaul. Hopefully, however, if we hang on to our old Asterix books for long enough, we’ll one day be able to pass on this incredibly witty, artistic legacy to our children.
A large pic of all your favourite Asterix characters
Asterix and Obelix Asterix Menhir Obelix Getafix Asterix characters Asterix wallpapers
