Dubbed heat
Wasabi

Stars Jean Reno, Michel Muller and Ryoko Hirosue.Columbia TriStar, Rated M. 94 mins

Reviewer :: Gaelian Ditchburn

Hubert (Jean Reno) is a French police officer who has a military background and a knockout punch.

After he uses that punch on the police chief’s son without realising who he is, the commissioner forces Hubert to take a vacation.

Reluctantly, he agrees, and decides to focus on his personal life, something he hasn’t done for a long time.

He soon gets a telephone call from Japan. A lawyer informs him that Miko, the Japanese love of his life who disappeared nearly 20 years ago, has died.

Hubert is informed that he is the sole executor of Miko’s will and travels to Japan.

On arrival, he finds out that he has a daughter by Miko and that all is not as it seems.

Unfortunately, this film does not hold a candle to The Professional (possibly the film that Reno is best known for around the world) although his work in Wasabi is, as always, quite solid.

Although dubbed into English (with Reno doing his own voice), the movie would have been better viewed with sub-titles, especially in parts where there was a mix of French and Japanese being spoken.

Fans of Japanese pop culture and of Reno will get something out of this movie.

If you do not fall into either category, steer clear.

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