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This is the story of how a lonely little girl and equally lonely milk drinking hit man find each other though circumstances not of their making Mathilda the little girl comes from a home where her father hits her and makes his money from dealing and holding drugs, she befriends Léon the hit man one day by talking to him on the stairs of the building they both live in, just before corrupt psychotic D.E.A. officer Stansfield played Gary Oldman comes to visit her father to pick up the “stash” he is holding for him the officers discover that the drugs that he was holding for them no longer tests 100% pure, now 2 months after they left the dugs with him the drugs only test 90% pure and Mr Lando, Mathilda’s father is given till noon the next day to come up with the missing part of the “stash”. He swears blind that he didn’t cut their “Shit”. The next day Léon is coming back from the cinema he meets Mathida on the stairs this time she has been given a bloody nose, he hands her a handkerchief she uses it to wipe her noise he tells her keep it she then offers to go to the market for him as she is going there anyway for her family, as Mathilda goes to the market Stan returns to her apartment with his goons guns in hand. In the chaos that follows Mathilda’s family is wiped out, she walks by her families apartment and makes way to Léon Flat after desperately pleading at his door he reluctantly opens the door to let her in. After this event Mathilda has revenge on her mind she convinces Léon to train her in the ways of his trade but while his away she tries to murder the D.E.A. officers that killed her family it goes wrong she is captured and Léon has to try and rescue her before it’s too late. This film in its original U.S. cut of 106 minutes opened in the U.S. on the 18th of November 1994. This edition of Léon from America or region 1 in DVD terms, has a running time of 133 minutes long a full 27 minutes longer than the original theatrical version I had already seen, this is the full international cut, and the film had been re-mastered in HD or high definition or “Superbit” this has even on my none HD television has made a difference to the picture quality the colours are sharper and the picture is clearer and the sound now barks out of the speakers making things like the gunfire and explosions sound more realistic. There is now a second disc of documentaries, which includes a 10-year retrospective of the production and interviews with Jean Reno and Natalie PortmanRead full review
Luc Besson's movie Léon (The Professional) gives us an intense story which is maximized in potential by the casting of the movie done by Todd Thaler. Every aspect of the movie delivers to the audience and makes an impressive overall package. Jean Reno plays a character named Léon who has learned to repress his emotions in order to perform his job as a "cleaner", or hit-man. His secluded world is shattered by the young girl named Mathilda who lives on the same floor as he does in an apartment building. When she turns to him for help, he learns about living a normal life, even if the circumstances which unite them are far from normal. The performance delivered by then twelve-year old Natalie Portman as Mathilda is nothing short of brilliant. Her ability to relate to others with body movement and facial gestures is matched by few, she really brings raw emotion and believability to a difficult role. Mathilda and Léon are unexpectedly thrown together, but learn to value life from their chance encounter, and how valuable a friendship can be. Jean Reno as Léon gives us a solemn and calculated character who sets all of his energy on his assignments until her is given something else to care about. Mathilda gives him the daughter that he never had, while Léon serves as a father and friend to her. Gary Oldman, as the corrupt DEA Agent Norman Stansfield, offers the viewers an amazingly wired and electrical performance which pushes the envelope. He moves the story along by his actions. Oldman offers us a memorable portrait of a sadistically obsessed man who stops short of nothing to get what he wants. The Professional is what movie-making is all about. Without the overuse of special effects, a large shooting location, or a commercially star studded cast, we are given all that could possibly be asked for in a movie. Portman, Oldman, and Reno, along with Danny Aiello as the hit-contractor Tony remind us that there is no substitute for great acting. There are elements of comedy, drama, and action, and great original music by Eric Serra adds to the energy the film already encapsulates. The most impressive thing about the movie is its story which is basic but is maximized by all the other elements which go into the making of the movie. Simply put, an intense and impressive movie.Read full review
I already knew I loved the movie, having seen it on cable years ago. I purchased a DVD previously, but was disappointed because it didn't seem as good as what I remembered, and also didn't make as much sense. I subsequently discovered my DVD had scenes cut out of it (the OTHER DVD, NOT this product). The version sold here (the deluxe version) is wonderful because it contains the important scenes that were cut out of the US version. The American censors clearly a skewed view on reality to cut the scenes they deemed unacceptable. Nothing objectionable actually happens in these scenes. We think something might, but it doesn't, and the characters do the "right thing". With these scenes restored, the movie flows better, makes more sense, and is not lacking some important backstory info on the main adult character, Leon. I definitely recommend this as the only version one should watch. Read full review
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I really don't know what to say about this movie. It's truly a work of art, almost like an abstract painting in the way that the movie is very simple and allows the viewer to interpret it as he sees fit. In Hollywood today you see a lot of movies with pointless explosions and fight scenes where their way of capturing your attention is by pulling out crazy new martial arts choreography to wow the audience. For all who have seen this movie, you realize that the action scenes are very simple, yet very well placed and incredibly ingenious. Leon takes care of his victims with precision and does not waste time with unnecessary monologues before finishing his victims. He is very blunt about his work. I could go on, but I would end up spoiling too much. To conclude, Jean Reno was born to play the role of Leon in this movie, Gary Oldman delivers a stunning performance as well, and Natalie Portman shows off her promising acting that has led her to the point where she is today.Read full review
i am not a big movie buff and don't like going to the movies often, but i absolutly LOVE this movie. the symbolism in the background is great. the acting is first notch and gary oldman stole the show to me. rumor has it that the little girl in the movie cried in her scene with gary oldman because his character literally scared her into tears. i absolutly love the dark humor, enough action to keep you glued to the tv but not overdone and careful sensitivity that makes you love the professional hit man. if you have seen the original version, this version is a tad different. one of the slight differences i think makes the movie worth buying. i absolutly loved it and fell over laughing. this movie has the ability to make you adore the murdering main character and feel sorry for him at the same time. this is definately a must see.Read full review
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