Synopsis
Jean Reno, playing a Hard-Boiled Cop Who Plays By His Own Rules, is put on forcedvacation, having punched out one person too many. During this break, he finds out that thewoman he loved in Japan 19 years ago has died. Travelling to Japan for the funeral, he discoversa daughter he never knew he had. She happens to be worth $200,000,000, and bad guys are outfor the money. Something like The Professional Lite, Wasabi plays its action strictly for laughs,and it is pretty funny….There’s also some a bit of the sticky sentimentality we have come to expectfrom Besson. The film follows the pattern laid down by The Professional: big action opening,followed by nothing much at all for almost half the film, and then the action picks up again. Noclassic, and the plot is a mess, but the dialogue (in the French original) is sharp, and the film isbreezy fun.
Audio
For the most, the audio is excellent. The sound FX are spectacular, with some nifty momentswhere the rear speakers spring to life first, with a car screeching in from behind you. Thepounding electronica has a very powerful mix. In fact, it is at times too powerful, completelyobscuring the dialogue on a couple of occasions. The dialogue occasionally distorts slightly aswell.
Video
Very strong 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen. The colours and contrasts are very strong, andno complaints with the flesh tones and blacks either. I saw some very slight edge halos, butnothing to spoil the enjoyment of the film.
Special Features
Nothing really: trailers for Wasabi, Formula 51, Swept Away and Trapped.
Closing Thoughts
Light-weight, almost tossed-off, but a very cheerful way to spend 94 minutes. Give it aspin.
Special Features List
- Trailers
