Is Leon the Professional that good?
 

The only thing I know about this movie is that Natalie Portman was just like 15 when this was made and most of the sexual stuff between her and the lead male had to get cut but is now on the dvd?

Can someone give me a quick spoiler free plot synopsis, and is it really that good (its got an 8.3 on imdb)

From DVD Profiler:

Calling himself a "cleaner" the mysterious Léon is New York's top hitman. When the next door neighbors are murdered, Léon becomes the unwilling guardian of the family's sole survivor - 12 year old Mathilda. But Mathilda doesn't just want protection, she wants revenge. Training her in the deadly tricks of his trade, Léon helps her track the psychotic agent who murdered her family.

...and yes, it's that good. &nbsp :)

Yup...I remember seeing this in the theater and I ended up go back and see it twice... :)

I've seen it, possibly more than once. Was a few years ago, too. But IIRC, I'd peg this movie somewhere in the range of "outrageously overrated" to "preposterously overrated."

Which isn't to say I hated it, mind you. But an 8.3 on IMDB? I think I'll go over there and give it a bunch of zeros to drag it down a bit. :grunt: -ptth-

Seriously, though, just keep in mind that, as with any highly praised film, there are those who fail miserably to see what all the fuss is about. I'm one of them. You might be too. :)

Edit: Not that it matters at this point, but I'm pretty sure what I saw was the "inferior" version. So there's that, coupled with the fact that the replies so far have been roughly 98% "Yes it *is* that good!" Translation: I don't know what the hell I'm talking about. :(

This film deserves every bit of its high rating. You will find yourself drawn in by the moving story, Jean Reno's vulnerable loner of a hit man, Natalie Portman's brilliant precocity, Gary Oldman's tweaked-out policeman character, and the beautiful photography of NYC. It has the linear structure and good guy/bad guy comforts of an 'easy to get' movie, but with acting and photography at art-school level. Buy it and enjoy on many levels, you should get at least two plays out of it.

It makes 'Speed' look like a slow ride to grandma's house!

I need to go find the review for the film on one of the five DVD sites I read religously. In it, they call the film "perfect". I agree.

Awesome film, one of my favourites. Powerfull story and some good action. If you buy it, make sure you get the uncut version (2nd release)

(only word needed) yes.

This movie is really, really, really good. This and Fifth Element are what got me hooked on Luc Besson.

It is my favourite film. And I've seen a lot of films from a lot of countries from a lot of past years.

Just watch it. Rent it first, if you're unsure - or just buy the DVD, it'll be very easy to exchange in the offchance you dislike the film.

:lol:

I'd have to say this film is slightly overrated, but only because I have seen it 5-6 times now over the past few years. I do remember adoring it the first time I saw it.

I'll put it this way: It is much better than Boondock Saints. :)

What!?!?!

A Leon thread and no sign of Jackskeleton? Something is afoot here.

Back to topic, yes this movie rules! :)

Go watch it and you won't regret it.

The fact that it has Bjork in the films soundtrack gets this film a higher rating in my book. ;)

It's one of my wife's favorite movies. I think it's great, too. I've lent out my copy, so I guess you'll have to go rent it somewhere.

Probably my fave movie of all time. 8.3 is too low for it on IMDB.

Stylish, gritty, compelling, complex ....yeah, it's <b>that</b> good and more.

It's a good movie. I think Oldman and Reno hit their peaks with this movie, possibly Besson too.

Excellent film. It may clash with some tastes because of Besson's foreign style and pacing, but I enjoyed it immensely. Try to find the version titled Leon for the reinsertion of the sensitive scenes showing . Jean Reno is riveting, Miss Portman is adorable, and Gary Oldman gives his typical off-beat but perfect performance.

Just buy it. You won't be disappointed.

I bought this as a blind buy, and I have to say it's probably the best blind purchase I've made yet. And I've made a lot. :D

You'll be doing yourself a favor by picking this one up. (I mean the uncut international version of course.)

Re: Is Leon the Professional that good?
 

No. It is better.

Finger lickin'

Just make sure you get the international version. It is alot better IMHO.

^ what he said :thumbsup:

Yes. Its a great film. Probably my favortie. And probably several others here's favorite. Buy the International version.

Ditto on it being a great film.

Highly overrated. bought the movie as blind buy and sold it once i saw it . average movie.

Yes, a great movie.

I think it's excellent. The first time I saw it, it became one of the few movies to make me cry. I a beautiful story filled with action and suspense. I recently revisited it in its extended form and it really adds a lot of character development and subplots. Hell, we even get Leon's backstory!

Yup. Int. v. fills the holes.

no...it's even better than you've heard. well, I love it. I played hooky from work twice in one week, to see the short version in the theater. then of corse when Leon arrived on dvd....it was like brand new all over again. this kick-started my love affair with Luc Besson, which is still going strong! :thumbsup:

I am just guessing that anything that is offensive, is in this movie. Strong violence, nudity or sexual content, non stop strong language, drug use or content, ect.

I found nothing about this film offensive. the storytelling and atmosphere is top-notch. the attraction between them may be heartfelt....but much is left to the imagination...if you really even need to go that far. as for the language, violence and drug use, I think it's damn tame when compared to much of which is out there, but it's all orchastrated wonderfully.

Theres quite a bit of violence but nothing more than shootings. Theres no nudity although there is some sexual dialouge. There is some of profanity but much less then most other movies. Drug use is mild(one character takes some kind of pill and he is supposed to be involved with drugs)

This is probably my favorite Luc Besson film... I wouldn't say that it's at all highbrow, but the human themes in this movie (the international version) are more complex than the rest of his movies i.e. The Fifth Element, The Messenger, etc. Heck, La Femme Nikita ranks a close second to this with some pretty obvious parallels/ties.

Léon incorporates a touch of Besson's loopy humor, Serra's simultaneously touching and intense score, just enough violence, asskicking performances by Reno, Portman, and Oldman, and offers a tragic/unique love story.

Someone mentioned that Reno was "riveting" in this movie, but I beg to differ... his performance as Léon grounded this movie, but it was his onscreen chemistry with Natalie that made the movie what it is. Jean Reno seems to have a gift for bringing out the humanity in nearly all of his roles. I laud Gary Oldman tho who does some of the best nuanced psychos ever; he's reminiscent of Tchéky Karyo in that he can he can put forth a wonderfully sinister/menacing performance at the drop of a hat. While this type of movie may or may not be up your alley, I still think that it deserves a 9.0 out of 10 at the very LEAST.

Are you free Tuesday?

Yeah. I'm free Tuesday.

Very good film. The charades game is hilarious.

And Portman. So far, at least. She has yet to give a performance that come close, let alone equals or bests, the one in this film. Way beyond her years. I wish she would pass on the lightweight stuff and find some challenging roles.

Yes, Leon is good. The movie is too.