neumu [ cinematronic ]




	Wasabi
	Gérard Krawczyk Jean Reno, Michel Muller, Ryoko Hirosue 2001		French action-hero-with-soul Jean Reno has re-teamed with filmmaker Luc Besson, who provided Reno with his signature role as the hitman in "Leon" a.k.a. "The Professional." The entertaining, frivolous result is "Wasabi," written and produced by Besson and directed with a sense of fun by Gérard Krawczyk. "Wasabi" echoes "The Professional" by again teaming the cynical, world-weary Reno with a young girl. But this time, Reno isn't a hired killer, he's loose-cannon Parisian super-cop Hubert. And the kid isn't a pubescent New York street urchin, she's trendy, rebellious Japanese teen Yumi, who is the daughter of the cop's long-lost love. While on a forced leave of absence, Hubert travels to Tokyo in search of his ex, reconnects with his bumbling sidekick Momo (Michel Muller) and meets Yumi (Ryoko Hirosue). In short order, Hubert and Yumi have an army of Japanese gangsters on their tail. As car chases, explosions and Hong Kong-style martial-arts action kick in, Hubert must find out why he and the girl are targeted while he protects his new charge. Zut alors!