Hubert Fiorentini (Jean Reno) is a rough Paris cop with tendencies to cause damage. In the latest incident, he punched the Chief's son and even worst when he's in the hospital. Hubert is suspended for 2 months. Sofia (Carole Bouquet) knows that he still has unfinished business. His love Miko disappeared shortly after their marriage 19 years ago in Japan. Then he gets a call from Japan informing him of her death and that he's in her will. He's reunited with detective Momo who he worked with before in the French military. He's given guardianship over Miko's 19 year old daughter Yumi Yoshimido for 2 days until she becomes an adult. He's her father but she doesn't know. He also discovers that Miko had stolen from the Yakuza and had met up with foul play.It's another Luc Besson story directed by Gérard Krawczyk. The part in Paris has a fun wacky slapstick sense. It's great. Although Carole Bouquet is still beautiful, I don't think she's unnecessary. As for Japan, Ryôko Hirosue plays Yumi like a yappy dog. It's loud and flashy. It misses the opportunity for her to show some brains and figure out their relationship on her own. She should be a smarter character. Nevertheless, it is wild crazy comedic action which is what this movie is driving for. Michel Muller plays the comedic character pretty broadly.

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. Surprise: once there, he meets a daughter he never knew he had (Hirosue).Thankfully, the movie is graced with the presence of the always reliable Jean Reno. With his quiet intelligence, rough charisma and lovably sullen demeanor, he is one of those actors who manage to elevate everything they star in.Worth one viewing.6,5/10

Recap: Hubert is one of the sharpest policemen in the French Police. His methods are effective, but contains a high degree of violence. So, when he made his latest arrest he just happened to knock out four men, besides the suspect. One of these being the son of a parliament member. So even if he is effective, Hubert is not held in very high regard just now. He is made to take two months off, and he goes back to Japan where he worked many years before. There he discovers that he has a unknown daughter who got access to suspiciously lot of money.Comments: Starts off a little weak but grows as it continues. The beginning is actually a little too far-fetched, and a little silly to be honest, to take it seriously. And it doesn't get much more plausible, but it gets a lot more balanced. And sincerely, Reno, does simply rock. A few fight scenes are just spectacular. Not realistic, but very impressive. And accompanied by some fitting and good music too.If you watch this on DVD, make sure you watch it in its original French audio. The English dubbing is one of the worst I have heard and a few moments later unsynchronized seen. It is ridiculous, the movie is much better with original language and subtitles.Watch for the extraordinary choreographed fights, forget most of the other parts… 6/10

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. However, when he also learns of the vast fortune that Miko left Yumi, he knows he must protect Yumi from some bad people that Miko got mixed up with and ended up losing her life to.First off, the comedy/action mix in Wasabi is extraordinary. The comedy is not over-the-top ridiculously stupid like in Scary Movie 4. 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. We also have a funny performance by Michel Muller, as Hubert's moronic, hard-working, laid back partner Momo. 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. The story was very well written and executed.Over all, Wasabi is a great movie for action fans. Fans of The matrix and Shoot Em Up will not want to miss this one. 9/10.