Starring: Jean Reno, Gary Oldman, Natalie Portman, Danny Aiello, Peter Appel Directed By: Luc Besson Average Rating: Audience Rating: Unrated Binding: VHS Tape Format: Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC Label: Sony Pictures Number of Items: 1 Release Date: November 07, 1995 Running Time: 109 minutes Theatrical Release Date: November 18, 1994
Amazon.com: Luc Besson (The Fifth Element) made his American directorial debut with this stylized thriller about a French hit man (Jean Reno) who takes in an American girl (Natalie Portman) being pursued by a corrupt killer cop (Gary Oldman). Oldman is a little more unhinged than he should be, but there is something genuinely irresistible about the story line and the relationship between Reno and Portman. Rather than cave in to the cookie-cutter look and feel of American action pictures, Besson brings a bit of his glossy style from French hits La Femme Nikita and Subway to the production, and the results are refreshing even if the bullets and explosions are awfully familiar. --Tom Keogh
My husband loved it! I bought this for my husband because it is one of his favorite movies. He gives thumbs up on the flick and the special features. He was also impressed with the price because it was cheaper than he found it elsewhere.
Leon:Still great after all these years Having not seen this movie for a number of years it was refreshing to find that it still packs a punch. Gary Oldman in one of his better roles as the 'baddie' and an excellant performance by Natalie Portman. The opening 'Hit' where Leon imerges from, and then disappers into the showdows is still to be surpassed. Well worth a look - if you can find it!!
"Hey!.....You know the ring trick?" The rest of the story about Leon and Mathilda....
A FINE movie, excellent direction, incredible action, and some fine acting by all involved.
(Unlike many cinematic "improvements, the extra 24 minutes added to (finally) this edition actually improve an already outstanding film...
I'd like to add, that the reviewers who cry "obscene" over this platonic relationship are clearly mentally ill....
Mathilda, as a precocious pre-pubescent girl, fixated on Leon, yes....However, when Leon (gently) turned down her naive advances, she turned right over and went to sleep, happily...See Leon as an Uncle, or whtever you want...
Hey, Lunatics!
Don't let the fact they were in the same bed scar you too deeply.
Best of its genre This intelligent and action-packed thriller made me stand up and take notice of several actors who I hadn't known before, as well as the work of director Luc Besson. Few action thrillers are as original as this one; after all, there are only so many shoot-'em ups that you can stage before the whole idea becomes shopworn. But this one manages more than a few original twists and turns--as in the Lolita-like love story between the young girl and the older man, which was downplayed in the American version by cutting some of the footage that was left in the European release of the film. Sometimes it doesn't pay to live in the land where stodgy and/or prudish characters like Mrs. Grundy and Samuel Bowdler were icons--you get these Bowdlerized versions of European films. :-)
Jean Reno is terrific as the hitman with a heart, and Natalie Portman is impressive as the precocious 12-year old who has lost her family to the corrupt cop, played by Gary Oldman. Oldman is superb as always, but perhaps plays his part even more over top than usual, as the double-dealing, cocaine-snorting cop who's searching for Reno and Portman after a drug deal goes bad. Also, I hadn't seen Danny Aiello in many years, and it was good to see he's still working.
The whole cast is terrific, and there's enough action in the flick to satisfy even the most jaded taste. I thought Reno was the most memorable, which is saying something as it's no mean feat to upstage Portman or Oldman in this film, but he's just great as the simple, but big-hearted hitman with acrobatic, ninja-like skills. Each scene is memorable and just well written and tightly directed. There's no wasted verbiage or action.
With the restoration of over 20 minutes of previously cut footage the movie has even more appeal than the original. I think this movie is the best of its genre and easily stands heads and shoulders above the competition with a strong plot and story, engaging characters, strong performances, and enough action to fill up three lesser movies. Overall a fine film and one that is probably destined to become a classic.
international I liked this movie when I first saw the US version . I considered it a very good movie, but I felt that it was not as good as it could have been . When I found this uncut version ,I expected some differences; but I found a spectacular movie. Do not buy the US version. This international would rate 5 stars+ . I was blown away , it was more than I expected. The US version would rate a 2 against this uncut masterpiece. I have never been so moved ...this is the only review I have taken the time to write. I could not do justice if I tried to describe the content and depth of this version. You have to see this for yourself. Dante Conchise
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