Wasabi

"How wonderful, Hubert. Let me look at you. You look good, man...just arrived and already in deep shit." - Maurice

release year: 2001
genre: action/drama
viewing setting: home DVD 5/3/23

synopsis: A direct and sometimes-brutal French detective heads to Japan to sort out his former girlfriend's will...and ends up getting more than he bargained for.

impressions: So this guy tends to just punch out anyone in his way, but still pines for his lost love. Then he finds out that she died and left him all of her possessions - including a daughter he didn't know about. Then he finds out that yazuka are after her, and there's a little more going on behind the scenes...at which point he goes into full punching-and-shooting mode. It's a wild and fun ride with a fair bit of humor too.

acting: Jean Reno is the former agent who finds himself in a tough situation but has the experience and the balls to deal with it effectively. Ryoko Hirosue is his spunky young daughter who's good at spending money and partying but has a rude awakening when the assassins come calling. Michel Muller is an ally from the past who provides both intentional and unintentional comic relief.

final word: Fun action/humor thriller, well worth seeing.

back to the main review page