Wasabi

Plot synopsis:
A woman (later revealed to be a transvestite), dancing provocatively to the enjoyment of other nightclub patrons, is abruptly hit in the face by Hubert Florentini (Reno), a commisaire of the French Police. Florentini drags her out of the club in handcuffs, assaulting other patrons who come too close to free the captive woman or attempt to hinder his exit. Unfortunately, one of these patrons includes the chief's son.
Hubert Florentini is chastised for the violent and unorthodox methods that he uses to accomplish his goals and is put on paid leave from the force. Despite his success and his seemingly enjoyable lifestyle of fighting crime, playing golf, and being the object of a beautiful woman's (Bouquet's) attentions, he has been unable to forget his one true love, Miko, a Japanese spy he met 19 years prior. Upon receiving news of her death, he is summoned to Japan by her lawyer, Ishibashi (Haruhiko Hirata) for the reading of her will.
Ishibashi informs Florentini that he has inherited the guardianship of Yumi (Hirosue), a fiery, adorable and eccentric Japanese/French teenage girl over whom he has custody until she reaches adulthood in two days (the age of adulthood in Japan being 20). Yumi, who was led to believe she was the result of her mother's rape and subsequent abandonment, hates her unknown father. Hubert realizes Yumi is his daughter, but doesn't tell her as she would probably flee from him.
Florentini uncovers evidence that Miko was the victim of foul play. He discovers that Miko had stolen a small fortune from the Yakuza, a fortune now destined for Yumi upon reaching adulthood. Florentini summons the help of Momo (Michel Muller), a former intelligence colleague living in Tokyo. He helps Florentini with further investigations into Miko's death and in guarding Yumi from the Yakuza by supplying him with two metal suitcases of weapons. The Yakuza try to attack Yumi in an arcade, but Florentini, who has been observing their positions, kills all of them.
Later, Yumi discovers that Florentini is her father as she is captured by the Yakuza. As they take her away and prepare to execute Florentini, he uses golf balls to knock out his would-be executioners and knock out the rest in mêlée combat. With the help of former intelligence colleagues, Florentini and Momo free Yumi from her kidnappers when they attempt to withdraw money from Yumi's bank account by replacing the bank's staff and customers with their own men. During the rescue attempt a gunfight breaks out and all of the Yakuza are killed by Florentini single-handedly without any casualties to the good guys.
Following the ordeal, Florentini takes a flight back to France, having promised Yumi he would be back in a month. But just before the plane takes off, a group of customs officers enter the cabin with two familiar metal suitcases in hand, asking for their owner.

Tags: violence, comedy, action

Review:
You wouldn't kick a puppy, would you?I needn't go into the plot, which you can click a few links to find, but I sought this movie out because Jean Reno is fun in anything he's in, and oh lookit that, Luc Besson wrote the screenplay-- can't go wrong with that, can you?
(unless it's an American remake, which luckily this is not).This movie is FUNNY, at times a little cheesy (which we can also call FRENCH), and the action is over-the-top enough to be cartoonish (when Hubert punches someone, they fly back 20 feet).
In France, Hubert Fiorentini (Jean Reno) is a tough, violent, but very effective detective, who has been missing the great love of his life, a Japanese woman, for nineteen years.
This Luc Besson production stars Jean Reno in a wonderful performance as a tough-guy French cop who is as quick to use his tongue as his overeager fists.
Jean Reno and Ryoko Hirosue make charming team in French action comedy.
Written by Luc Besson, it tells a tale of a French cop called to Tokyo for the reading of his old girlfriend's will only to learn that the girlfriend died under suspicious circumstances, that a cache of $200 million is involved, and that he's the father of the dead woman's daughter, of whom he's now the legal guardian until she turns 20 in two days.
There is plenty of formulaic cartoonish action capitalizing on the no-nonsense cop's tendency to hit or shoot first and ask questions later, but it's balanced by some delightful interaction between Hubert, the gruff, if sentimental, middle-aged cop, played by Jean Reno, and Yumi, the terminally cute, endlessly trendy Japanese daughter, played by pop star/TV-film actress Ryoko Hirosue.
In a later scene, he has a French Intelligence comic relief sidekick (Michel Muller) show him cases of advanced weaponry while Yumi changes into her purchases in an adjacent room, bursting through the doors in a flamboyant display of each new outfit, while the two men scramble to hide the hardware from her view and tell her how great she looks.The script is just as contrived and implausible as it would be in the hands of Hong Kong or Hollywood filmmakers, who've all done similar material, but it's handled with a light enough tone and given over sufficiently to the lead performers to make it a pleasant if undemanding experience.
Hubert also discovers he's left a screechy punk daughter called Yumi , Ryoko, he didn't know about .Entertaining and fun action movie full of humor , thrills , intrigue , sympathetic roles and attractive dialogue in French and Japanese subtitles .This is one Japanese/French dip you probably wo'nt care to sample ; containing nice scenes , comedy elements , lots of shots , mayhem and bemusement .
And an evocatve musical score by synthesizer composed by Eric Serra including Japanese sounds .This high-concept , fast-paced movie and being specially entertaining was well produced by the great producer/director Luc Besson and professionally directed by Gerard Krawczyk .
Luc Besson makes good use of Jean Reno (Hubert Fiorentini) and gives us an action film that is very funny.
OK it's no masterpiece to bring some sort of existential meaning to your life and yes it is deeply flawed in many ways even by the standard at which it aims for but nonetheless, I found some endearing quality in its light hearted humour and entertaining style.Any film with Jean Reno in the lead and Luc Besson behind the script is going to entertain and this does just that.
Hirosue, unknown until then of the French public, had added to the exoticism of the Japanese scenes.The story holding in one line: The ex-girlfriend of Hubert Fiorentini died in Japan, without this last not being had a news of it lasting 19 years, and he owes occupper of their daughter.What I saw.
this is a great movie.A good mix of comedy and action.This movie has a little of everything to have a great time.The association between those 2 actors is great,the story is very modern and translated in a lot of emotions.The movie talks about the relations between a father and his daughter.jean reno is a great actor every scene with him is a deligh.
This movie is perfect to have a good it has a little of everything action comedy emotive moments,they should make more of those movies because they are fun movies.this is a great comedy that everybody can enjoy.jean reno is amazing is such a great actor and in this movie he is very funny..
This movie reminds me a lot of movies like Shoot Em Up and The matrix combined...except in French.Wasabi follows the story of Hubert Fiorentini, a French cop who travels to Japan for his former lover, Miko's, cremation, only to learn that her daughter, Yumi, is also his.
It goes well with the action and adds to it, making it interesting.The acting is excellent, particularly Jean Reno as Hubert Fiorentini, the by-the-book, witty, skilled cop.
Ryoko Hirosue was also great as Yumi, the hyper, preppy, fun-loving, happy-go-lucky daughter of Hubert.There are a lot of good Matrix-style action scenes here, all well-done and not overly ridiculous.
Jean Reno's "Hubert" is the kind of character who would give even Clint Eastwood's "Dirty Harry" Callahan cause for pause: when he unloads on the bad guys (French and Asain alike), bodies are launched through the air in ways that would make Robert Rodriguez, Sam Raimi and Jackie Chan all three green with envy.
Many of the "absurd" characters in the movie actually serve to make the plot more entertaining while also characterizing many aspects of modern society (the hyperactive daughter, her wacko friends, the stupid and totally un-macho secret service agent, the ridiculous Yakuza boss, the hotel receptionist, etc.) One can say one thing about the film, it is made in a new, refreshing way that makes it different from many others.
The action scenes are sparse anyways but serve a purpose of informing you that Reno's charector Hubert is a good tough cop.Also under the comedy and sort of expected culture class expierences is a rather touching story of a father and his unknown daughter.
Seriously, I think those people didn't pay enough attention to enjoy it fully.This film does things right (timing; framing; acting of everyone in the frame, not just the main characters; human emotions and reactions; etc.) where many a respected Hollywood comedy tend to contain many more flaws due to sloppiness.
However anti-American movie fans have raised their `Yankee Go Home' banners; to my mind this comedy - action film which is harmonized with French - Japon sensibilities, can be an alternative film to American movies.Luc Besson - Jean Reno cooperation is going on.
But this film isn't an American popcorn movie; it is a French / Japan popcorn movie.There are enough big guns, rocket launchers, bombs; but the action scenes is not in American style, Hubert generally finishes his work quickly with one punch.
I find her very cute with her teenage gestures and phone talks beginning with `mochie, mochie'.By this film, I've surprised that there are many Japan including policemen and mobsters speaking French very well.If you want to watch a French (and a little Japan) comedy - action movie similar with American ones (but not in American style), I'll advice you this film.
One of my favorite scenes is the arcade where she gets Reno to participate in a little "Dance Dance Revolution."As it is, if you just want a lighthearted comedy with a bit of action, "Wasabi" is the way to go.
It's an amazing movie, Jean Reno is at his best and the japanese girl is marvellous :-) At the beginning the story seems to be stupid, than it becomes really interesting to see what will happen when Yumi will know the "wasabi" is her father!.
My copy arrived with French dialogue and French sub-titles--hence, my comprehension is about 85% - enough to stop me giving away vital plot points.Reno's character, Hubert Fiorentini, is introduced as a tough but effective cop who enters a bar and pounds an apparently pretty young girl in the face--turns out it's a guy in drag.
The banter between the star and his daughter gave me great memories of my own daughter.Even though in French and some Japanese the English subtitles were very easy to read even though my French is very basic.Having watched a number of Jean Reno films his underlying wit and humour shone through in Wasabi and I'm only sorry I missed the opportunity to tape it.If anyone knows if there is a DVD copy around I'd be grateful if someone would send me details.
I would dare to venture that perhaps those who have enjoyed Mr. Besson's movies like the 5th Element, and TAXI (french version) will then appreciate the qualities of this film.
The only satire of "taking on the bad guys" missing were Matrix dance steps.The Japanese actress who plays Reno's newly found daughter and her friends are so VERY Valley Girl that the viewer is actively looking for a San Fernando Valley Mall exterior.Fun and smiles in the middle of wholesale bloodletting is very rare in a European movie.I didn't know the French could make this type of movie SO right..
Wasabi is the perfect example of French genre films which are competing against Hollywood.The plot is as thin as a Japanese cracker: former Secret Service agent Hubert (Jean Reno) goes to Japan to meet for the first time his hidden daughter after the death of his Japanese wife and has to protect her from yakuzas who want to recover $200 million.
This one is a light-hearted action film starring Jean Reno and written by Luc Besson (La Femme Nikita, The Fifth Element, etc) that owes more than a little in concept to that most famous of kiddie-porn movies, Leon (we in America know it as The Professional).
The tone of it all is quite light end resembles a lot of French cop movies.Unfortunately it all turns bad when Reno's character goes of to Japan to see what happened with his long lost love who died and why he was in her will.
In this case stupid fist and gun slapstick, cardboard bad guys, ache-inspiring stereotypes, gaping plot holes (Momo's lived in Japan 19-plus years and understands less of the language than I do from a few forgotten courses and all those movies.) Nonetheless, when the three leads, Jean Reno as the cop, his daughter, and his old pal Momo, are together and nobody's running, shooting, or throwing a fist, things are watchable and funny enough.
for fans for Jean Reno and his movies was great as in Leon The Professional, La Femme Nikita, Ronin, Godzilla, 22 Bullets but this movie is just terrible made i know it's comedy but terrible made action scenes come on they just terrible very bad made when he punch's someone in opening of nightclub scene yeah i have seen better scene then that.
he has a daughter (Ryōko Hirosue) as Yumi Yoshimido he has to spend time with her awhile he's partner this gets SO ANNOYING again Maurice is annoying trying to be like Hubert but he ends up embarrassing himself too much in my opinion i don't find this funny expect opening scene when he punched a cross dresser in face when it wasn't a woman, action scenes are so terrible when there's shoot out when Jean Reno character shoots bad guys they flip backwards yeah its funny the director must be stupid and smoking weed while doing it.
but this movie cant stay on set, cant even do better director Gérard Krawczyk is bad director for this movie its Produced by Luc Besson and written buy him i wish if he directed movie when he made Leon: the professional i think he can write this movie better then Geared Krawczyk the action is OK not well made shooting scenes are good all that not its well worth of time wasting movie.
Wasabi is an ambitious, mindless action-comedy, written by Luc Besson, starring Jean Reno and a bunch of unknown actors, most of which are pretty annoying.The story revolves around a French cop, Hubert, who finds out he has a daughter and goes to Japan to take care of her.
The so called villains are unintentionally funny, completely separated from character individuality that some viewers still expect, even from action films.Besson himself said "Jean Reno is an incredible actor.
There was a time when Luc Besson's name in any place on the movies cover ensured super entertainment off-late besides Bandidas which was brilliant his name ensures movies that are OK or just better..Anyway the lure of his name was to strong and I was in a mood for a little risk and I ended up renting this movie (this is in fact a good risk movie (any avid movie renter would understand).The first thing that strikes you about the movie is the dubbing, in parts it borders on pathetic and those who have seen other french dubbed movies will recognise the pathetic dubbing as hallmarks of many other French movies that have not been released in a big way...But I did see TAXI with similar pathetic if not worse dubbing and that movie was brilliant, this movie is unfortunately not good enough to get over this huge hindrance..........I REALLY FEEL YOU ARE MUCH BETTER OF WATCHING THIS MOVIE IN FRENCH WITH SUBTITLES.The entire cast does a fine job, Jay Reano plays the wooden protagonists with well rehearsed ease, I wonder when we will get to him in a different role, Momo plays the goofy sidekick with hilarious results, and the Japenese Girl plays her stereotypical part effectively.The story is to simple and the Japan angle has been completely wasted, for all practical purposes this movie could have been based anywhere in the world.There was however many one liners that displayed intelligence and understanding of Japenese stereotypes if nothing else.Some of the jokes are hilarious the first holdup scene, the signature Wasabi scene, the interview with the superintendent etc etc.This movie is crammed full of one liners that are hilarious in both the subtitles and the bad dubbing.What i did realise eventually was that this movie was in essence a COMEDY WITH A LITTLE ACTION AND NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND.
Those who don't get the point (like me for a long time) will be disappointed with this movie, this movie is a comedy and the action reflects this,WATCHING THIS AS A COMEDY MUCH LIKE BANDIDAS WILL ENSURE SUCCESS.This movie has some unclear moments like the daughter modeling, the old flame etc that were neither here nor there.The action like I said is comic and can be compared to any other comedy action like Jackie Chan etc.The soundtrack (i assume) and background score is pretty good especially the Japanese music, one of the only scenes that exploited the Japan angle successfully was the Video game Dancing Scene which succeeded a great deal due to the music.Direction cinematography was Strictly OK and this movie showed nothing out of the ordinary.Fans of Luc will need to realise that this indeed a comedy and less violent then his other films.Im sure betting dubbing and some better action could have made this movie much better even after factoring expectations.IN ALL A SIMPLE NO-NONSENSE COMEDY WITH ACTION, that can be enjoyed if its watched with an open mind.-s PATHETIC DUBBING, japan angle not exploited,so so action +/-s unclear scenes, another stereotypical Jay Reno performance.+s hilarious one liners, many really funny scenes, short and sweettotal 6/10 (absolute and factoring in expectations, if watched as a comedy could score more).
Directed by Gérard Krawczyk (Taxi 2, 3 & 4), and produced by the prolific Luc Besson, Wasabi stars the charismatic Jean Reno as Hubert Fiorentini, a tough Parisian cop who travels to Japan when the only woman he has ever loved dies, naming him in her will.At the reading of the will, Hubert is told that he has inherited guardianship of Miko's super-cute daughter, Yumi (Ryoko Hirosue), until she reaches the age of 20 (in two days time).
A conventional but droll action/comedy, Wasabi follows anti-hero "tough cop who gets results" Hubert (Reno), who travels to Japan to investigate the death of his former girlfriend.
Still, despite these shortcomings, this is a very good action and father-daughter film--worth your time especially for Reno's seemingly effortless performance..
Possible spoilers:After their highly recommended cooperation with "Léon" French Director/writer Luc Besson and French actor Jean Reno collaborate again with "Wasabi",a action comedy with a highly Japanese influence.Of course it doesn't reach the level of "Léon" but it is a very enjoyable movie that never gets boring.The story is pretty straight forward but that's no problem since the humor and the action sequences make up for it.Jean Reno is superb as the unbalanced cop Hubert who goes to Tokyo to cremate his lost love Miko.Here he meets up for the first time in his life with his daughter Yumi,who is very spoiled.Inevitably there will be trouble and although there are no real surprises in the script it is very well handled.The acting overall is pretty good especially Reno is quite brilliant.The supporting cast with Ryoko Hirosue and Michel Muller is also doing a fine job,there's even a small part for Carole "For Your Eyes Only" Bouquet.
Story starts in Paris, France where a French "Dirty Harry" named Hubert Fiorentini (Jean Reno) gets a call from Tokyo, Japan that his old girlfriend has died and he has been named in the will so he jumps on the next flight for the reading.
(Some Minor Spoilers) The aptly named movie "Wasabi" (named after the strong green Japanese mustard paste that Jean Reno's character, Hubert can eat without blinking an eye) is a visual assault on the senses with all the flash and fire associated with a Luc Besson written/produced film.