Plot: What’s it about?
Hubert Fiorentini (Jean Reno) is a police detective with an old school approach, as he values arrests more than the rules. So if he has to draw his gun, destroy some property, resort to violence, or cause some chaos, he won’t hesitate to do so, all in the name of justice. When he was stationed in Japan, Hubert was a force of nature and stories of his destructive, but effective tactics are still told in some circles. His name strikes fear into the hearts of almost everyone, as criminals fear his methods and his former bosses fear his lack of control. He departed Japan almost two decades ago however, as he now works back in his native France. But his over the top actions have slowed with age, as he still loves to bust loose and nail the criminals. He isn’t the same however, as he suffered an intense loss before he left Japan, the kind of loss only true love can create. He loved a woman, a fellow agent back in Japan, but when she asked him to return to France, he agreed out of respect, though he mourned the parting. Now he has gotten word that she has passed on, so he ventures back to Japan to settle her estate. He has been left the bulk of her holdings, which happens to include a young girl (Ryoko Hirosue), who happens to be his daughter. This won’t be a pleasure trip though, as local mobsters seem intent on getting the girl, for some unknown reason. Can Hubert manage to keep it together, even with some help from an old friend?
Ever want to see an over the top French action movie, with liberal doses of humor, but set in Japan instead of Paris? If so, then you’re in luck with Wasabi, which was written & produced by Luc Besson (The Fifth Element, Leon: The Professional) and stars Jean Reno. Reno is a blast to watch here too, especially when he interacts with young costar Ryoko Hirosue. This is by no means a serious picture like Leon however, instead we have an almost surreal action movie, with visual flair and tons of comic relief. In truth, it is hard to ever take Wasabi seriously outside of a few scenes, as some kind of madness always seems to surface. The shootout in the arcade and the stroll through the mall are perfect examples, as these seem to be normal scenes, until some wild action kicks in and throws us for a loop. So realism isn’t even a consideration here, with the main focus on fun and some very cool visuals. By turn, that means we have a storyline that is basic and offers minimal fresh material, which is a let down. But when you watch, you’ll be having so much fun, you might not even notice the plot problems. And in the end, you simply cannot watch a movie like Wasabi and expect much beyond flash and fun, as that’s all it tries to deliver. So if you’re in the mood for some popcorn action, then Wasabi is recommended as a rental.
The lead role is played by Jean Reno and when you think about it, who else could have make this role work so well? Reno has a good blend of toughness, sensitivity, and comic presence, just the mixture needed in this picture. And he can move in and out of those phases, which he is asked to do often here in Wasabi. We’ve seen him in countless action movies, so he know he can handle the guns and such, but he brings a fresh, more cartoonish texture this time. So he still looks like he knows what he’s doing, but its comical, because he is so good, he doesn’t even have to aim or even pay attention to his actions. This kind of approach wouldn’t work in most action movies, but it is perfect for this role and Reno is a hoot. And while he hasn’t been as well known for his comedic work, Reno has proven he can handle the lighter stuff, to be sure. I simply cannot image anyone else who could have tied this one together, as Reno was the best, and only option. Other films with Reno include The Visitors, The Big Blue, Rollerball, Ronin, and The Crimson Rivers. The cast also includes Ryoko Hirosue (Railroad Man, Summer Snow), Michel Muller (Deep in the Woods, Taxi 2), and Carole Bouquet (Buffet Froid, Blank Generation).
Video: How does it look?
Wasabi is presented in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen. This is as close to perfection as possible, without quite reaching that pinnacle. So this is a dynamic visual effort, but a couple small defects keep it from the perfect score. Even so, I doubt most people will even notice the flaws, so its all good here. This movie has a bold color scheme, with comes through in vivid hues that light up the screen. We have vibrant clothes, flashing colored lights, and all kinds of other brash color presence, all of which is presented in excellent fashion. No problems with contrast either, as black levels shine here and remain refined throughout. The print is in great condition also, so no grain or debris ever hinders the experience. So if it weren’t for some edge enhancement in a few scenes, this would be a reference level visual effort.
Audio: How does it sound?
As this movie has an action slant, the included Dolby Digital 5.1 option has some room to show off and in this case, it does just that. I was very impressed with this track, as it not only has power and adds atmosphere, but this is one of the more creative mixes I’ve heard. The surrounds light up in the opening credits and don’t let down much until the end credits are done, with a barrage of well designed, effective audio dynamite. All the speakers are put to work and worked hard, even the bass is deep and frequent here. I do have to say that the audio sounds juiced at times, but that adds to the fun, even if it lessens the realism. But in a movie like this, where the focus is on the fun, you can’t be too critical on an issue like that. Not to be outdone, the music also sounds excellent and makes good use of the speakers. The original French soundtrack is preserved in this 5.1 option, with crisp and clean dialogue throughout. This disc also includes a downright miserable English dub track, as well as optional English subtitles.
Supplements: What are the extras?
This disc includes the film’s theatrical trailer.
