Wasabi

So yeah...adaptation movies. Books, comics, video games, or even TV shows made into movies. Typically, it seems safe to assume that 99% of them are going to suck. So if they're based on such successful existing properties, why are they so bad? Well I think each one has its own reason that it sucks.

Books are pretty easy to determine. When you read a book, you have your own vision of the characters, how they sound, and what they look like. Movies take that image in your head, and kick it in the crotch.

Comics are typically done well, mostly nowadays, but they largely fail due to poor director/actor choices. I love comics, but the movie adaptations are past their prime and need to stop for a while.

Video games make great movies...PAAAHAHAH! Sorry, couldn't do that with a straight face. I haven't seen an honestly great video game movie yet. There are too many fans to please, and not enough good writers to do it.

TV shows serve their own purpose. You don't need movies of them. There are some rare exceptions (Serenity), but they're largely just pointless, therefore not well received.

Alright, on to the good stuff!


Wasabi (2001)
Rated R

Starring: Jean Reno, Ryoko Hirosue, Michael Muller

If you liked: The Fifth Element, The Professional, The Transporter

Synopsis: A French police officer (Reno) takes a few months off after a mistake on the job. Traveling to Japan, the home of his ex-wife who left him very suddenly, he meets up with a former colleague (Muller) and a young girl (Hirosue) whose connection leads him down the road to finding out why his wife left him.

The Spicy: Okay, I'm gonna start out by being totally honest: This movie is better with subtitles. Its in French, and when its not French, they speak Japanese. Please don't let that turn you off yet! For those of you who know, Jean Reno is a very talented French action/drama star. You may have seen him in the 2000 remake of Godzilla, or in the film adaptation of The DaVinci Code. Basically any American movie that needs a French military or cop-type guy, they pick Jean Reno. His acting lends itself very well to the part, however, and this movie is no exception. His personality, no matter his role, tends to be very soft, and his characters are usually very likeable. Wasabi is no exception, as Reno shines in the starring role. A pleasant and varied supporting cast definitely helps keep you invested in the story.

Just as necessary as a stellar cast is a solid director, and good writing. Luc Besson (Director, The Fifth Element) lends his pen to this movie bringing to life a great story, touching characters with rich backgrounds, and solid and believable smalltalk between characters at all times.

The Sour: Even though this movie kept me invested, I still tend not to be the biggest fan of subtitles. This is a personal thing, and if you can put up with them, the movie is great. But if you have a tough time focusing on the ongoing visuals while trying to follow the dialogue, you may want to give in and switch the audio.

It can also be a bit hard to classify, and it likes to jump genres throughout. The beginning seems to be a bit more dramatic, the middle fits closer to a heartwarming comedy, and the finale takes a sharp turn in the unrealistic action direction. Each segment is great, but it can feel a bit bouncy.

The Bottom Line: Its not your typical action, or comedy. But its good. It is unique in a way that probably didn't garner it much attention, but it deserved better than it got. Give it a shot if you're looking for a fun action movie that still holds a good plot.

I give it 6.5 sushi rolls out of 10

Oh this guy is in it too. Hot, right?