Wasabi. Just what is it? Besides being Japanese Horeseradish dip, it's a side-splittingly hilarious thrill ride of a film from one of my favorite producers: Luc Besson. Our film opens to a typical night in a nightclub, everyone's dancing and having a kickin' time. That is, until the Police decide to show up... namely, Hubert Fiorentini (expertly played by Jean Reno).

Hubert's results are more than exemplarily, it's his methods that are questionable. This is something you'll notice right away, seeing as how slugging a suspect will cause more than just peoples heads to turn. Once back at the station, the arresting officers handcuff the suspect to the table and reveal that the "she", is actually, a he. After some financial news from his bank manager, and his boss (who's nickname is "Jaws") who asks Hubert to recount his altercations at the nightclub... he finds out that he also slugged the Chief of Police's son. Back in the interrogation room, Hubert's men can't seem to get any information out of the transvestite they're holding prisoner. That is, until Hubert applies his method.

After a little bit of idle chit-chat, Hubert gets the information he wants... and finds out the name of the bank that the prisoner's crew is going to rob, and that he's about a half hour late! Being the super-cop that he is, Hubert rushes over to the scene of the crime, where they have SWAT waiting for the word to enter the bank, and the other policemen have been negotiating with the bank robbers inside over the phone. "Oh no" is the whisper heard through the ranks of the other officers already on the scene when Hubert shows up. "Tell them they have a visitor coming in." says Hubert as he enters the bank.  Ballsy move, isn't it?

This little jem came to my attention from a ultra close friend of mine, Lonnie. All he had to do was describe the film to me, and I was intrigued. If you get this DVD, watch it in French first... very interesting stuff to watch Japanese people speaking French! The soundtrack for the movie is really fun, and is one worth tracking down, the actors did a great job. Michel Muller's role as Hubert's ex-commando buddy from the past, Momo is just priceless, and Yumi (played by the delicious Ryoko Hirosue) is as sweet as the lollipop she resembles. Even though this film is only 94 minutes long, it's got a decent story, and three actors that i like.. and it's shot mostly in Japan.... a country that I really want to visit someday. Enjoy!

– Brian K. James