The Professional

Rating:
Summary: What a movie!
Review: I first saw The Professional on VHS about 2 or 3 years ago and LOVED IT. Seeing it again on DVD shed some new light on how truly amazing this film is.

Set in New York City, Jean Reno plays an Italian hitman named León, cold-blooded and stand-offish, who becomes the only friend of 12-year-old Mathilde (Natalie Portman in her film debut). After her family is gunned down by a corrupt DOA official (semi-wacky Gary Oldman), Mathilde seeks refuge with León, taking to the streets, and becomes a sort of apprentice in the skillful, dangerous art of "cleaning." Mathilde, in return, teaches León about love, friendship, and laughter in many of the most precious moments captured on film.

Luc Besson (director) skillfully blends drama, comedy, tragedy and action in this wonderful delight of a movie. I highly recommend this movie to anyone with a sense of decency in their heart.

Rating:
Summary: One of the greatest films ever.
Review: I think this film is a masterpiece. Luc Besson has beautifully directed this achievement and it is probably his best film (Fifth Element aside). The best thing about this film is the different emotions you feel. You feel hatred, happiness, worry, and sadness all for one character. Leon is a professional (hence the title) cleaner, or hitman. He is a very alone person who has no friends. He does have a soft spot for the 12 year old girl Mathilda(wonderfully portrayed by Natalie Portman). When Mathilda's family is killed, she stays with Leon, but she wants revenge. Leon begins teaching her the tricks of the trade which provides some very funny moments. They begin to get very close, and he feels love for the girl. I will not ruin the whoile story for you but it really is a must see.Jean Reno was born for this part and Gary Oldman plays the eccentric bad guy very well. This movie does have some explosive action scenes, but it is really more of a drama. Yes there is a directors cut which in my opinion isn't much better than the regular and the regular is 10 bucks cheaper. Buy this film either way and you will be wonderfully happy with your purchase.

Rating:
Summary: brilliant
Review: This is a very good film. I have seen it so many times and I still watch with joy. This story is about a girl named Matilda. She is 10 years old. Her family was all murdered with her witnessing it. She had to run and hide. She found Leon. Leon cared for her, protected her. He even died for her. Wonderful film. Funny, unpredictable and action packed!

Rating:
Summary: a classic
Review: young natalie portmens parents are into coke they rob gary oldman a crooked cop he kills them all the lil girl escapes to an apartment nextdoor who happens to be a yugoslavian hitman he feels like shes his daughter so he agrees to help her get revenge and teach her how to be a hitman a slock powerful classic film that many including myself begged for a sequal with a fully grown natalie portmen as a professional hit woman buy this classic today

Rating:
Summary: One of the best action films ever created...
Review: The story revolves around a young girl named Matilda ( Natalie Portman). She lives in an extremely disfunctional family, and her dad has ties with local drug boss Mr. Stansfield (played wonderfully by Gary Oldman). Stansfield and his crew show up and wipe out Matilda's entire family, which leaves her as the sole survivor. She manages to escape and goes to her next door neighbor Leon( Jean Reno)for help. At first, she just needs someone to look after her and a place to stay. But Matilda soon discovers that Leon is a professional hitman. The lifestyle appeals to Matilda, and she convinces Leon to teach her the ways of a hitman, so that she can gain revenge on the men that killed her family...

Luc Besson's "Leon" is one of the best movies available right now. The action sequences in this movie will blow your mind! They are intense and do not pull any punches. The story is absolutely oustanding. It is dramatic, funny, and so fast paced that you might get dizzy from watching it. The cast is great. This is Natalie Portman's first role, and she does an outstanding job. Also Gary Oldman plays one of the best villans that you can hope for. He is intelligent, cruel, sadistic, and just straight out of his mind. Danny Aiello does a nice job as the local mob boss that sets up Leon with his jobs and takes care of his finances. Last, but certainly not least there is Jean Reno as Leon the hitman. He is cold, calculated, and never misses the mark. Although Leon is a trained killer, you can't help but like the guy because he raises Matilda like she was his own daughter. Leon actually takes pride in teaching her how to be a hitman.

"Leon" is one of the greatest action films ever made. The performances, thrilling action sequences, and touching father/daughter relationship between Leon and Matilda will keep your heart pumping, and have you reaching for the kleenex as well.

*WARNING - Make sure that you purchase THIS version of the film. The movie released in the U.S. called "The Professional" is missing a substantial amount of footage. "Leon" has over 30 minutes of extra footage that lets you see the film uncut and in its entirety. It is deffinately worth the extra money!

Rating:
Summary: Intense Thriller that Never Fails
Review: French director Luc Besson ("The Messenger"; "The Fifth Element") made his U.S. film debut with this intelligent thriller of an Italian hitman who is untouchable. "Leon" stars Jean Reno ("The Big Blue") plays Leon, a professional hitman with ninja-like skills, who eliminates rivals for a mob boss (Danny Aiello).

After a corrupt cop (Gary Oldman) eliminates the family residing next door due to a drug transaction gone wrong, Leon finds himself the guardian of young Mathilda (Natalie Portman in her screen debut). Taking Mathilda under his helm, Leon teaches her the art of the "cleaner". However, danger lurks around every corner, and Leon must protect Mathilda from the same cops who killed her family.

Considered by many to be his masterpiece, "Leon" was originally released in the United States under the title "The Professional". However due to the feeling that American audiences might find some material unacceptable, over 24 minutes of the film was edited out. Finally, Columbia/Tri-Star has made an excellent decision in releasing the uncut, international version of this excellent film in the U.S.

While the film's central theme revolves around Leon and his job, the subplot where Mathilda develops an attraction for Leon is reminiscent of the novel/film "Lolita". The chemistry between both characters in a father/daughter relationship can be intense, especially as we notice that Mathilda is in her puberty-stage.

Jean Reno is excellent as always, and Gary Oldman gives a chilling performance as Stansfield, the wicked DEA officer who murdered Mathilda's family in cold blood. However, the real scene-stealer in this film has to be Natalie Portman. This beautiful young girl radiates beauty and professionalism throughout the film. Her porcelain-looking skin, and her big brown eyes are well utilized in this film, making her character more childish, yet mature to a certain extent. Portman proved to audiences in this film that she was no flash in the pan, and in her subsequent films, she continues to be a scene-stealer. She is truly Hollywood's most gifted young actress.

In this version, most of the 24 minutes that were left out in the film's 1994 release in the U.S. mainly involves both Leon and Mathilda going on "cleaning sweeps" where she gets first hand training in the art of assassination. The other half of these minutes focuses on Mathilda's attraction to Leon. Her persistent attempts to be intimate with Leon all fail, but we finally understand why Leon remains a loner when it comes to affairs if the heart. Some might be uncomfortable about the idea of Mathilda and Leon sharing a bed together, but Besson paints this scene as one involving platonic love and not sex.

In wrapping up, I recommend this film for anyone who enjoys a nonstop, high-impact thriller in the same tradition as the "Matrix," "Blade," or "Dead Calm". Luc Besson truly is one of the world's greatest action directors, and "Leon" captures his magic. An excellent, pulstaing film from beginning to end!

Rating:
Summary: The Most Moving Film I Have Ever Seen
Review: Firstly, Jean Reno is brilliant, he plays a French Hitman in NYC and knows nobody in the city, until the flat next door is rampaged by a twisted cop (Gary Oldman) but the daughter of the man next door (Natalie Portman) survives the rampage and with nowhere to go, Leon eventually feels sorry for her and takes her in. The story unravels as Gary Oldman hunts down Leon and most importantly the girl.

The film contains a lot of action, and plenty of violence (most good films do) you really feel as if you're in the world they're living in, and soon relate to Jean Reno as the hitman. Gary Oldman is also very good, (when isn't he?) you feel the hatred aginst him straight away when he blows away the flat with a shotgun, plays the twisted, psycho cop extremely well.

It is definatley not a film for the faint hearted, lots of violence, blood and guts but also has a very emotional and sad side to it. Very deep film, truly moving, well worth 5 stars, a must see!

Rating:
Summary: Excellent, Must-See Film!
Review: French director Luc Besson ("The Messenger"; "The Fifth Element") made his U.S. film debut with this intelligent thriller of an Italian hitman who is untouchable. "The Professional" stars Jean Reno ("The Big Blue") who plays Leon, a professional hitman with ninja-like skills, who eliminates rivals for a mob boss (Danny Aiello).

After a corrupt cop (Gary Oldman) eliminates the family residing next door due to a drug transaction gone wrong, Leon finds himself the guardian of young Mathilda (Natalie Portman in her screen debut). Taking Mathilda under his helm, Leon teaches her the art of the "cleaner". However, danger lurks around every corner, and Leon must protect Mathilda from the same cops who killed her family.

Considered by many to be his masterpiece, "The Professional" was originally released internationally under the title "Leon". However due to the feeling that American audiences might find some material unacceptable, over 24 minutes of the film was edited out. Finally, Columbia/Tri-Star has made an excellent decision in releasing the uncut, international version of this excellent film in the U.S. as it originally was called in August 2000.

While the film's central theme revolves around Leon and his job, the subplot where Mathilda develops an attraction for Leon is reminiscent of the novel/film "Lolita". The chemistry between both characters in a father/daughter relationship can be intense, especially as we notice that Mathilda is in her puberty-stage.

Jean Reno is excellent as always, and Gary Oldman gives a chilling performance as Stansfield, the wicked DEA officer who murdered Mathilda's family in cold blood. However, the real scene-stealer in this film has to be Natalie Portman. This beautiful young girl radiates beauty and professionalism throughout the film. Her porcelain-looking skin, and her big brown eyes are well utilized in this film, making her character more childish, yet mature to a certain extent. Portman proved to audiences in this film that she was no flash in the pan, and in her subsequent films, she continues to be a scene-stealer. She is truly Hollywood's most gifted young actress.

In the international version, most of the 24 minutes that were left out in the film's 1994 release in the U.S. mainly involves both Leon and Mathilda going on "cleaning sweeps" where she gets first hand training in the art of assassination. The other half of these minutes focuses on Mathilda's attraction to Leon. Her persistent attempts to be intimate with Leon all fail, but we finally understand why Leon remains a loner when it comes to affairs if the heart. Some might be uncomfortable about the idea of Mathilda and Leon sharing a bed together, but Besson paints this scene as one involving platonic love and not sex.

In wrapping up, I recommend this film for anyone who enjoys a nonstop, high-impact thriller in the same tradition as the "Matrix," "Blade," or "Dead Calm". Luc Besson truly is one of the world's greatest action directors, and "Leon" captures his magic. An excellent, pulstaing film from beginning to end!

Rating:
Summary: Love it!!!
Review: This film is one of my absolute favorites. I've never once watched it without being engrossed (and without crying, at least once). The international cut is far better, I think, than the one released here in the States. There are scenes that deepen the relationship between the two main characters and make you mourn the death of Jean Reno's character even more. Buy this film, this version. You won't be disappointed.

Rating:
Summary: "I said take out the guy, not the whole building!"
Review: I agree with the guy that said this is one of the greatest films ever made, this is currently my favorite all time movie and this is the uncut international version, you get 24 minutes of footage not shown in the U.S., I recommend you get the Superbit version for optimal picture and sound, this is a must buy!!