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Summary: This is not the uncut version
Review: Hmm, an extra 6 minutes of intense violence are still missing here. They must still think Americans are too dumb to swallow the whole film.I wouldn't buy this until the entire version is released
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Summary: this movie is rocks
Review: I almost cried. This has to be one of the best movies I have ever seen. Luc Besson is one of the greatest directors. He has a style that trensends time. What can I say abou this movie besides it is well acted,has a breath taking story and loveable characters. Yes I almosted cried when I first saw this movie, I was so concerned about Matilda and Leon like they were real people. I know I'm not saying anything about the content of the movie, I just wanted to pump the movie.
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Summary: Natalie Portman = brilliant.
Review: I adore this film, primarily (though not only) for one reason: Natalie Portman. Her performance left me with my jaw on the floor for most of the film when I first saw it, and I still can't help but watch her in awe when I load it up again now and then. Prior to seeing this film, I had only seen her in Phantom Menace, and at the time, I simply couldn't understand what all the fuss about her talent was...her wooden-seeming performance as Princess Amidala left me quite indifferent. But now that I've seen her incredible brilliance in its most potent form - here in this film when she was still amazingly young, I believe she is indeed one of this generation's greatest and most unique talents. I am a huge fan of Jean Reno and Luc Bisson as well, but I find that their talents are diluted whenever they are "anglicized/americanized" as in this film. In their native french, they are both marvels of the screen. La Femme Nikita is another, better example; I remember hating the american/dubbed version of it, but loving the original. The plot itself is ok, but nothing spectacular, and as for Gary Oldman, although he can often be wonderful in his performances, in this movie he really misses. I'm not sure if he took the method school of acting too much to heart and enjoyed some of the drugs that his character did before his scenes, but whatever the reason, "over the top" (as described by many other reviewers) is putting it mildly. As for this uncut version, there is no reason for anyone to own any other version of the film; the american release ("The Professional") is an insult to both the director's vision and to the audience. Even now, I have a difficult time watching the ending of this film; it leaves me teary-eyed and with a lump in my throat that doesn't go away for hours, and the primary reason is again Natalie Portman's unbelievable performance. After watching her in this film, you'll find it almost impossible to believe that you're watching a 13/14-year-old actress. Get this film to witness true acting brilliance in the making; the great action is just a bonus.
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Summary: Another great film from Besson
Review: Like Le Grand Bleu, I love this film. And, like other Besson films, there are people who will love this film and there are those who will hate it so much they will want to clean their TV screens after they view it. I suggest you rent this title to see which type you are. I will limit myself to the technical merits of this title on DVD. It's nearly perfect. I only found myself distracted by one MPEG II artifact -- a moire in some wallpaper in the opening scenes. This artifact is not there in a LaserDisc (which I also own) of the same title. Otherwise, this DVD is great. The sound is great and the image is great. I'm not in the least sorry I bought it. I actually like this version better than the American theatrical release. So much was lost in the American edit. If you love this film I am sure you will like this DVD.
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Summary: I've Been Waiting For This Version for A LONG Time !...
Review: YES ! It's finally here on dvd. I own both the American "edited" version and the international one. I must say the extra 24 minutes of footage is well worth the re-release as the original international cut. The only deletion in the re-release is the Spanish audio track for dialogue . The plus is that you can now isolate just the soundtrack music as well as a couple of cuts by Sting (Shape of My Heart) and Bjork (Venus As A Boy).These are both excellent songs (Hint: you can dub these directly onto whatever musical recording format in their entirety). I love dvds that will allow anyone to do this ! The color, images, sound are sharp and superb ! As for the acting, what more can I say that has not already been said by other critics and reviewers ! There's not enough praise... Also, for anyone who has a fear that this may turn out to be a Lolita complexed film due to the relationship between Mathilda and Leon, it is not the case and is prohibited in the movie ! In the end Mathilda sees Leon as more of a father figure;Afterall,Mathilda never had the real or natural love of her true father.Leon also never knew what it was like to have his own kids. With Mathilda his "paternal" instincts start to emerge from his toughened exterior !
Rating: 
Summary: Natalie Portman & Jean Reno in a Sleeper Classic
Review: Now that the international cut of this film is available on DVD under the title "Leon -- The Professional", with 24 minutes or more of additional footage, I highly recommend buying that one. This is the American-released version of what turned out to be a great little movie, and in this case more footage is definitely better. Portman and Reno are two fascinating characters and the relationship between them is half the fun. Natalie Portman in her child-woman acting debut is appropriately fascinating and Jean Reno is at his best. It's a fascinating story with a bit of Lolita, a bit of the mob, a healthy dose of well-handled action, and another interesting performance by Gary Oldman to boot. Not to mention direction by one of my new favorites, Luc Besson (who later made THE FIFTH ELEMENT). Buy this movie in confidence -- it is an enjoyable ride without the cliches and stereotypical plotting of other films in the same genre -- or buy "Leon", the longer international cut also available on DVD, for an even more completely developed experience of this really, really nice movie.
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Summary: The Professional-Luc Bessons best film
Review: This is one of my favorite films. Dealing with the love of an older man and a young girl, but done tastefully and never crossing the line. The Professional is a love story, surrounded by wonderful characters and the violence they introduce into a young girls life. By the way, the young girl, played by Natalie Portman, is perfect in this film. When I bought this DVD, I was excited to see the additional 24 minutes of footage. I popped the DVD into my player and was impressed by the simple, yet beautiful menu design. You click, there is an explosion, and you arrive at your destination! Your audio choices are between a 2-Track Dolby Digital for simple 2 speaker set-ups and a 5.1 Track Dolby Digital for advanced systems. Either way, this DVD is a beautiful audio experience. Stereo spearation and ambiance are wondeful to listen to. Vocals are clean and clear, and the deep bass will definitely test your speaker system. The widescreen picture was VERY impressive. Colors are beautiful and the picture is clean and beautifully rendered. The inclusion of the 24 minutes was fun to watch and flawlessly fits itself into the American version that we already know. In one way, I'm not sure why these deleted scenes were not part of the American release, but on the other hand, they really weren't necessary to the film. Some may say it slows the pace down, while others may say the deleted scenes include things not appropriate for some viewers.....either way, I enjoyed seeing them simply because I love viewing deleted scenes. The package also included the trailers and the international ad campaign. This is a great disc to own. The film is great, and the picture and sound quality is fantastic. I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys a film with a great story and any fan of Jean Reno. Enjoy!
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Summary: The story of a soft hearted hit-man who saves a girl's life.
Review: The Professional, known in Europe as "Leon". Leon tells the story of a professional hit-man who, against his better judgement, saves the life of a twelve year old girl whose family have all been killed, and then he has to figure out what to do with her. While this film has plenty of action, it's a lot more than just a shoot 'em up type film - the main focus being on the relationship between Leon and the little girl, Matilda. Leon is an Italian hit-man who works on a freelance basis for a mafia figure. However, neither Leon nor the mafia man are your usual Godfather types, instead they seem thoughtful, considerate and even gentle! OK, they kill people for a living, but otherwise they seem quite nice. Leon, especially, is a quiet, pensive, doesn't take offence easily (there's none of that phoney "respect" stuff going on). Leon does his job, keeps to the rules (no women, no kids), and keeps himself to himself. Everything changes when a drugs deal in the apartment next to him goes wrong, and the family are all killed by a corrupt DEA officer, except for Matilda, who was on an errand for Leon, whom she had just befriended. As she returns, she sees the mayhem in her apartment, and just walks right past and goes to Leon's door, as if it were her own. After a long consideration, Leon answers, and so she is now with him. The main part of the film focuses on how they get on together, his life of order and predictability now gone, while she draws on his strength and stability, a strong father figure she never had. She wants to learn the art of assassination so she can get the cop who killed her family, and Leon teaches her. I can't describe too much more without giving the story away, but suffice to say there are plenty of moving scenes, and not a little shooting. The performances are superb, with Natalie Portman in her debut absolutely stealing the show as the sweet and precocious little girl who steals Leon's heart. Jean Reno, in his first really big Hollywood role, is just right as the gravely voiced strong silent type, while Gary Oldman is very convincing as the manic bad cop who will stop at nothing (really, nothing!) to get Leon. Everything about this film is good, the music, the dialogue, the cinematography, and especially the performances. There are some lovely touches, such as Leon's love for milk and his plant, and the scene where Leon and Matilda play a game where they dress up as famous characters and the other has to guess who they are. By the end, you're shouting and cheering for Leon, and booing and hissing at Oldman. Overall, this is a very engaging and poignant film, the kind you would watch again and again, and see more detail and nuances every time. In my opinion, a must see.
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Summary: My Favroite
Review: This is my favorite movie. The action scenes are great and it has a good ploy.
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Summary: Professional "Cleans" Up
Review: One of the most astounding pieces of film I have seen. Not only did Luc Besson capture the grittiness and violent aspects of this film, but he made the characters seem alive and likable. With this international uncut version, you see a side of the two main characters(Leon & Mathilda) that you did not in the original. It is absolutely the best film about this profession, and I recommend this title to anyone who enjoyed the first version and to people that love a great story and lots and lots of blood.
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