Leon: The Professional DVD 1995 Region 1 US Import NTSC: Amazon.co.uk: Jean Reno, Gary Oldman, Natalie Portman, Danny Aiello, Peter Appel, Willi One Blood, Don Creech, Keith A. Glascoe, Randolph Scott, Michael Badalucco, Ellen Greene, Elizabeth Regen, Thierry Arbogast, Luc Besson, Bernard Grenet, Claude Besson, John Garland, Patrice Ledoux: Film & TV

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5.0 out of 5 stars (2 customer reviews)

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ranks up there with the Usual Suspects, Pulp Fiction, Fight Club etc., 9 Sep 2007

By

neal "The things you own end up owning you" (East) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Leon: The Professional [DVD] [1995] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC] (DVD)

I guess this film attracted negative attention when it was released and the original theatrical edit was cut down to prevent an over reaction by the media. However, It probably didn't need to be as there is no hint of a sexual relationship between Leon and Matlida.

If you haven't watched this film because you thought that some paedophile fantasy storyline is in it, think again.

It's a story about a 12 yr old girl whose innocence is being eroded by her own dysfunctional family and home environment being saved from certain death by a hitman. Leon the hitman has become a withdrawn, emotionally immature, shy being whose only purpose is to assasinate. He is never paid and never asks for his payment because the nature of Leon's relationship with his mafia boss Tony is very simple: Tony briefs Leon about a target, Leon does the hit. Leon is very much taken for granted.

I'm not going any further with telling what happens in the story for those who have not seen it.

Superb direction and cinematography. Excellent soundtrack. Fantastic performances by Jean Reno, Natalie Portman, Gary Oldman and Danny Aiello

Nobody overplays their part....well Gary Oldman is as extreme as he is meant to be. His character seems to be using a combination of Angel dust and Coke, not known for inducing a state of calm. There are people who are that mad and on those kind of stimulants. Gary Oldman plays it very well.

This extended version is the same as the "version longue" which was released in France . Both this and the theatrical versions are fantastic but this version is slightly better ( in my opinion) because it just seems more complete and answers a few questions.

Worth every penny.

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0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the greatest films ever made, 27 Jun 2004

By

D. Ashley-smith "Danny Smith" (Kent, U.K) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: Leon: The Professional [DVD] [1995] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC] (DVD)

The film has so much depth to it; it's not just about how brilliant a hitman he is, there are a lot more complications to it.

The film is very moving, the ending really hit me.

I don't like to give anything the full 5 stars, because there is always a downside. But not "Leon", this is truly a film I will never forget, and you won't either. Although if your looking for extreme action, you will be disappointed. The film isn't actually based on that.

And yes I also recommend the directors cut.

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Amazon.com: 4.6 out of 5 stars (182 customer reviews)

126 of 138 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Love Story and Action Packed Adventure, 10 Jun 2003

By Domonic Torretto - Published on Amazon.com

This review is from: Leon: The Professional [DVD] [1995] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC] (DVD)

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.

38 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superbit / "Uncut International Version", 24 Dec 2004

By db - Published on Amazon.com

This review is from: Leon: The Professional [DVD] [1995] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC] (DVD)

The Superbit version has the same extra scenes as the "Uncut International Version". Amazon has it accurately labeled, but the packaging is not obvious. Both are 133min instead of 110min. The non-Superbit version has a couple extras like theatrical trailers and talent files. If you want those extras, get the non-Superbit version. If you don't care about those extras and are more of a quality freak, get the Superbit version. The film content is the same either way.

Two scenes deal with Leon buying a dress for Mathilda. One shows Mathilda threatening to possibly kill herself (Russian roulette) to force Leon to admit he cares about her. There is a scene showing Leon taking Mathilda on her first cleaning job. Another involves Leon taking Mathilda to an upscale restaurant, and Mathilda makes a minor scene trying to kiss Leon and drinking champagne. Then there is a sequence where Leon takes Mathilda on a series of cleaning jobs. In a later scene, Mathilda implies that she wants Leon to be her "first", and then Leon tells her the story of his first love (and first cleaning job), and Mathilda gets Leon to concede to start sleeping (only literally) with her.

Most of the extra scenes start at around 68min. They are integrated smoothly and are fully finished; it sounds like these scenes were in the original theatrical release for European markets, so they're only "extra" to the U.S. If you appericate the film, the extended version is definitely worth it.

32 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Film Ever Made. Natalie Portman is Perfect., 6 Feb 2002

By A Customer - Published on Amazon.com

This review is from: Leon: The Professional [DVD] [1995] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC] (DVD)

This movie has, what I beleive, the best performance from a child actor ever, from a 12-year-old Natalie Portman. Her character Mathilda shows the innocence of a kid, and the depth of a person out for revenge. Why she didn't get an Oscar is beyond me. And this was her first movie.

The story is really good. A hitman named Leon (Jean Reno) helps a girl named Mathilda after her family is shot down by corrupt DEA officers led by Norman Stansfield (Gary Oldman). When she finds out about Leon's job as a "cleaner" she asks to be trained as a hitman to avenge her little brother's death. Despite Leon's concerns he teaches her anyway, but over the course of his teachings, Mathilda develops feelings for him. This is something the uncut version explores a little deeper.

I suppose some of the scenes were taken from the American release for their subject matter. A scene where Mathilda wants to take her love for Leon to the next level really gives a good insight into Leon's past. It dosen't lead to anything between the two, so I don't see why they cut it. Other scenes included are Leon giving Mathilda some on the job training when he goes on his hits. I can see where some groups in America could have protested that, but it makes their relationship more deeper and complex.

An outstanding film, you really should see this version to get the whole story. I highly recommend it, it is my favorite of all time. Luc Besson's masterpiece can be fully appreciated on this release. I've been hearing rumors about a sequel in the works. I can only pray it's true, but this film is a tough act to follow.

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