Leon DVD > Reviews > Leon

Author's product rating:   

Did you enjoy it?	Loved it
Story	Outstanding
Characters / Performances	Outstanding
Special Effects	Standard
How does it compare to similar films?	Outstanding

Advantages:	Great action movie
Disadvantages:	none

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Director: Luc Besson
Producer: Patrice Ledoux
Writer: Luc Besson
Stars: Jean Reno, Gary Oldman, Natalie Portman and Danny Aiello

This French directed action/drama movie was released toward the end of 1994 and was a simple tale of a quiet man who happened upon the wrong place at the wrong time.

**BRIEF PLOT**

Leon, (played by Jean Reno) is a mild mannered French man living in New York City's 'little Italy'. Unbeknown to all around him he is secretly a professional hit man, (or cleaner) working for the local Mafia boss Tony, (played by Danny Aiello), who uses a 'Macaroni' retail store to front his small empire.
Leon has only one friend, which happens to be a houseplant, until he inadvertently opens his door one day and his peaceful existence changes forever.

One of his neighbours, a twelve year girl called Mathilda, (played by Natalie Portman) shows cause for concern when her father is involved with some corrupt DEA agents led by Norman Stansfield, (played by Gary Oldman), and she unintentionally
turns to the French recluse for help.

With Leon taking Mathilda under his wing, protecting her from the twisted Norman, she offers to teach the 'illiterate' French man to read and write but in return he must train her to became a 'cleaner' so she can avenge the death of her brother.

The movie then goes through the detailed motions of how Leon 'trains' Mathilda in the art of assassination, from long range sniper to close combat silent killing, for which Leon specialises in.

But, Leon's abilities are tested as he realises his mind is not fully on his 'job' as he now has someone else to think about besides himself

Before too long Mathilda is trying to take her revenge on Norman and his corrupt gang, causing the film to come to a brilliant and dramatic climate involving a showdown and a very clever escape plan.

**IN CONCLUSION**

A brilliant movie with a good story line and some good acting.

Jean Reno plays the part of Leon to perfection with his rough looking exterior and his pleasant French accent. His mannerism in the movie really gives him that calm yet destructive attitude, almost like an eagle waiting and watching its prey prior to attack.

As for ,Natalie Portman's as Mathilda, well, she seemed to revel in the role as the mild mannered girl seeking revenge. If this was her first major role in a movie then this girl has a lot of talent and oozes confidence.

The film does tend to run a little slow but is easy to keep up with and there is always some form of action waiting around the next corner, albeit slight.

When the movie hits it's peak and the real action starts then prepare for some excellent entertainment as you watch the amazing skills which have made Leon the top assassin he is. Watch how he infiltrates a highly trained organisation to inflict some serious damage and disappears into nowhere and how he avoids getting caught when it looks like his time is up….pure brilliance.

There are what can be only described as emotional scenes as we see the characteristic of the once solitary assassin change when he sees the true pain that a little girl is feeling.

Then with a slight twist this movie finishes with a bit of emotion.

It may have a bit of violence and its fair share of blood shed but it does seem necessary for the movie to work

Would I recommend this movie..?
Yes I would.
It is a great movie with everything a good movie needs, action, adventure, tears, hate, smiles and more……