Leon [DVD] [1995]

Excellent value for money. I wanted this for my collection and Amazon is the go to place!

**SPOILERS**This is great movie. It centres around Leon a hitman who because of his job is a very isolated human being. He has had very little contact with the real world and mentally he is like a child. Leon's boss knows Leon is very simple and easily manipulated, but he also knows Leon is very gifted in the art killing. Leon lives in a apartment block next door to a family (husband, wife, two daughters and a son). The father of this family is holding a large amount of drugs for a crooked police chief (Gary Oldman). When Gary Oldman and his team come to retrieve his drugs from the father it is discovered that the father has stolen 10% of the drugs and cut the remainder of the drugs with something to bring it back to the original quantity. He is soon found out and the family are massacred. All except Matilda a 12 year old girl, the youngest daughter of the family, who has been at the local store while the massacre has taken place. She returns from the store back to the apartment and sees what has happened to her family. Knowing that if the corrupt cops knew she was part of the family she would also be killed, she walks past her families door trying to remain calm she knocks on Leon's. Meanwhile Leon has seen what has happened and is faced with the decision of helping the girl or turning a blind eye. Eventually he lets the girl in. Knowing that the girl has no family and she is unlikely to survive without his help and reluctantly decides to take care of her. What follows is a gritty story of Leon learning to care for, and protect somebody other than himself. As you would expect Matilda is a very messed up kid, and after finding out that Leon is a Hitman she sets her sights on becoming his apprentice. Leon who is against the idea at first eventually agrees to train her. Matilda in return teaches him how to read and to enjoy life more. As the movie goes on and Matilda is being trained up, her desire for revenge against those who have killed her family grows. She begins to become more skilled, and more capable of taking revenge, but will her desire for revenge destroy her and Leon's world forever.This director's cut blu ray is very good and has added scenes going into more detail of Matilda being trained up by Leon. Great performances from Jean Reno (Leon), Natalie Portman (Matilda), and Gary Oldman. This is a truly great movie especially as the action begins to pick up in the second half. Would recommend.

I am glad I purchased the Directors Cut of 'Leon' as this version is brilliant. Both Leon (Jean Reno) and Mathilda (Natalie Portman) give outstanding performances in this fast action thriller. There is also fine contribution too from Gary Oldman as the loony, corrupt DEA official who is responsible for killing Mathida's family. Leon is a backward, damaged assassin who reluctantly takes in Mathilda - a lovely 12 year old orphan who is experiencing all the turmoil of revenge, puberty, adolescent love, abandonment and rebellion in a short time.This film is a gripping rollercoaster of violence, fun, revenge and affection that works despite it's thin plot and underdeveloped secondary character roles. The scene where Mathilda and Leon are taking part in one of many hit contracts and she shoots red paint pellets into the drug dealer's chest just for killing practice is hilarious.The Director handled the off limits sexual tension between Leon and Mathilda very well by solidifying a substitute father/daughter relationship which reminded me of the wonderful Professor Higgins/Elisa Doolittle relationship in the legendary 'My Fair Lady' with Rex Harrison and Audrey Hepburn.I always rather under estimated Natalie Portman's performance before this and realised my error was due to the wooden dialogue she was given by George Lucas when she played Padme in the final Star Wars trilogy. I saw her again in Black Swan recently and together with this film , I think has earned her a reputation as the marvellous actress she is.Jean Reno manages to gain a strong sympathy with the viewer as Leon in his protective role for Mathilda whilst carrying out the hit contracts for a manipulative boss who 'keeps his money safe' whilst Leon lives an impoverished lifestyle with no ambition other than his next hit and caring for a potted plant !I highly recommend buying this film - you will love it.

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 AielloNobody 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.

This is a great movie. Unfortunately the DVD received was like a copy of a copy so returned it. Luckily still on Netflix though.

Uno dei migliori noir francesi. Tutta la mala dei marsigliesi. Imperdibile.

Film très connu mais on ne se lasse pas de le regarder. 2 talentueux acteurs qui nous donne nt des frissons !

Edición alemana muy completa y a buen precio. Puedes ver la película tanto en versión cinematográfica como en versión extendida, pese a que no hay castellano. Los extras son muy buenos y hacen justicia a todo un clásico del cine de acción. La carátula es reversible. Es la edición definitiva y la edición española no le llega ni a la suela de los zapatos. Muy recomendable para coleccionistas.

Gift for Brother. Well received.