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Leon - The Professional (Uncut International Version)

Leon - The Professional (Uncut International Version)

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: one of the best movies
Review: this was one of the best movies i have seen, you cant just say its a bad movie because of the violence but its a good story about this killer who cares about this girl and that all killers arent mean and nasty. im always telling people to see this movie

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: I like this silly implausible movie
Review: In reality, this is a pretty silly movie, and only redeemed by the charm of Jean Reno and Natalie Portman.

A few example's of the "cringe factor" have been pointed out elsewhere - target shooting people in Central park - great shot BTW!, Leon's portable plant, some dialogue that was forced, Gary Oldman's character that was too far over the top and wacky, and all that...

A few have commented that Leon was a perv. In both versions of the movie that I saw, Leon resisted Mathilda's advance, if that is what you want to call it. You can see Leon's uneasiness as Mathilda gets in bed (just to sleep).

There was enough humor and interesting bits between the shooting up of things and people that when all was said and done, I liked the movie.

"He's not my father. He's my lover. (Waves) Bye."

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The Best.
Review: I'm not talking about the gunshots. This movie is so great with the characters, sometimes it doesn't need dialogue, but then again, the dialogue is so well scripted, this film should be studied and highly regarded among others. Luc Bresson did a fantastic job with this film, I notice and feel the emotions of it, throught the characters and the images, every time I watch it. If you haven't seen it, check it, and look deep into the story that is so carefully crafted, it's contains all the things that EXCELLENT movies are made out of. I'd watch it over many times, as I feel each and every time I reach the end of this film. Bravo to Luc Bresson for this wonderful film.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Outstanding all around
Review: Sure, this could be called an action film, but it's oh so much more than that!

The characters of Leon and Matilda draw you into the film and keep you there as the complex relationship between two develops.

Gary Oldman plays the perfect bad guy that we love to hate, keeping the tension going in the movie.

We also get to see Natalie Portman before Star Wars ruined her career (let's hope she can make a come back) - her acting in this film is dead on superb!

This movie makes the viewer part of it on many levels, which makes this a classic in my book!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: the best movie
Review: When I first saw The Professional, it was on TV, and even though I only saw a commercial for it, I was instantly drawn to it. After Mathilda's whole family is killed, there is no one in the world for her except Leon, a hit man. Together they work to avenge her brother's death, and through it all they form a bond that is both questionable and endearing. Though there are people who find the relationship "sick", I just don't see it. Mathilda needs someone to care for her and that person is Leon. Though she does act like a modern day Lolita in some cases, Leon is firm in his decision not to let anything happen. Jean Reno and Natalie Portman do an amazing job in this film. I cannot believe that this is Natalie Portman's first film. She has such talent, and she portrays Mathilda's attitude well. I give this film five stars for great talent, great direction, and a great storyline.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The Director's Cut Is Even Better
Review: By accident, I stumbled upon this film while channel surfing one evening and watched it on television. Only later did I learn that its producer, director, and screenwriter (Luc Bresson) was also the driving force behind La Femme Nikita (1990) which I had already seen. There are several reasons why I find this film so fascinating. First, Jean Reno's Leon is thoroughly professional when completing his paid assignments as an assassin but proves emotionally vulnerable to his 12-year old neighbor Mathilda (Natalie Portman) when she suddenly has neither a family nor a home. Leon takes her in and, over time, she overcomes his reluctance to accept her as his apprentice. Obviously, she feels the need for formal training so she can avenge the loss of her family but also, I think, because she realizes that in the world she surveys, she must be able to protect herself against various enemies such as DEA supervisor Stansfield (Gary Oldman), her chief antagonist. His psychotic personality and violent behavior are at least partly explained by his dependence on drugs, of course, but also because he is determined to eliminate any and all threats to his professional authority and personal safety. To me, the most menacing person in the film, however, is mob boss Tony (Danny Aiello) who supervises Leon's assignments while carefully maintaining a public persona as affable merchant and devoted family man. When street smart Mathilda approaches him near the end of the film, she immediately recognizes his evil nature.

I also enjoyed the series of scenes in which Leon demonstrates his highly-developed professional skills. As in La Femme Nikita, Bresson effectively juxtaposes violence with sometimes unexpected tenderness. Those with a strong appetite for symbolism will probably have much to say about the potted tree plant which accompanies Mathilda and Leon from one residence to the next. I think it is a nice touch but not of major significance. I find it difficult to believe that this is Portman's first film, given the texture and nuances of her performance. Reno is superb throughout. Oldman probably had the most difficult role and is wholly credible as the corrupt DEA official. With regard to the film's conclusion, I commend Bresson for not tying up all the loose ends. Questions remain. For example, given all that has happened to Mathilda throughout the course of the film, what are her options now? Is she adequately prepared to cope with whatever may lie ahead? It would be interesting to check in on her at age 25 or 30. In the meanwhile, we can only speculate on the answers to such questions...and we'd probably be wrong.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Get ready for some style!
Review: It took me a couple of viewings to truly accept/enjoy this movie. I gotta be honest - the relationship between Leon and Mathilda used to make me feel a little uncomfortable. I now realize how fantastic the film is. I love pretty much everything about it. The acting is great along with the direction, photography, and the score, MY GOD THE SCORE!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Beautiful Love Story and Action Packed Adventure
Review: This is the story of Leon(Jean Reno), the highly efficient contract killer who's known as a cleaner due to his ability to kill you without you ever knowing he's there. He's cold blooded, but at the same time lovable due to his obvious innocence, seen as he affectionatly waters his plant and his love for milk. He lives a loners life until he meets Matilda(Natalie Portman), who was soon to change his life. Luckily for Matilda, she was running an errand for Leon while the corrupt villian and lead antagonist of the movie Normon Stansfield(Gary Oldman), and his group of thugs decide to wipe out her entire family, due to some drugs, which were cut by her father while he was supposed to be just holding them. When Matilda returns, she finds that her family is dead and turns to Leon for help.

When Matilda learns what Leon's trade is, she is intrigued, and convinces the reluctant Leon to teach her the ways of the cleaner. As Leon trains Matilda, their relationship grows, and to the dismay of Leon, she develops a crush on him, while at the same time he develops a paternal love for her. This is a great movie, from the action packed beginning, to the thrilling climax.

I definately feel that the uncut DVD version is better than the original version. It let's you see more deeply into the relationship between Leon and Matilda, and you get to see more of the "training" scenes, which show how Matilda develops from an unknowing child to a novice cleaner.

I'd also like to say something to the prudes out there that feel the relationship between Leon and Matilda is perverted. You see it as a sick man trying to take advantage of a young girl, but if you recall, it was Matilda who continually came on to Leon. Leon clearly tells her in one scene that a sexual relationship is not possible. And even then, it should be clear to anyone that Leon loves Matilda in a way that a father would love his daughter. I can clearly see this and I'm only 14. Apparently, there are a lot of low IQ people out there. The UNCUT, INTERNATIONAL version is the way to go if you want to see a more meaningful, touching movie. I'm a very cold person at heart, and this is the only movie I've ever watched that made tears swell up in my eyes. It's the greatest movie I've ever seen. It features a brilliant cast, and a touching, and very unique storyline.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Leon - the way it should be
Review: This movie is completely amazing, despite what these other critics say about the "perverse love affair" or whatever else. If they actually payed attention to the movie you would notice that there is nothing perverse about it. And whoever was whining about leon teaching her how to shoot a rifle.....its the movies, and marilyn manson didnt make them do it either.

If youre into action movies that involve a little more thinking then your average steven segal movie then this is for you. it is also in a way a wonderful story about love and revenge and life in genral.

I recommend this movie to anyone.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: What an excellent movie
Review: Holy Jesus, Natalie Portman's acting in this movie amaze me..so does Oldman and Reno. This movie the most perfect movie of it's subject ever.


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