Leon (DVD 2001)

A masterpiece by Luc Besson and a superb performance by Jean Reno. This is a movie that can be watched any number of times and you will not feel bored. The story itself is wonderful.

Calling himself a "cleaner", the mysterious Leon is New Yorks top hitman. When his next door neighbours are murdered, Leon becomes the 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, Leon helps her track the psychotic who murdered her family, thats the basic plotline but this film has heart and soul and features one of the best performances from a youngster ever seen on film. Natalie Portman was deserving of an Academy Award for her performance in this film and Jean Reno has never been better, the cinematography, direction, music score and all round acting is superb and this film deserves to be in everyone's collection, a true classic which grows in stature as each year passes.

:Picture Quality:

I was impressed by the fine detail and colour balance of this anamorphic 2.35:1 edition of Leon, this is a step up from the Superbit version of Leon and contains much less intrusive edge enhancement, no doubt this can be attributed to the fact that this Japanese Paramount version uses a different print than the Columbia sourced one, there are a few scratches and pops on the print but i guarantee you that Leon has never looked better on the shiny disc format.

:Audio Quality:

This along with the Superbit american edition is the only version of Leon available anywhere in the world with a DTS track so you might be wondering how does it all sound ? Superb is how it sounds, this is a major step up from the faulty Superbit version and features tight deep controlled bass with some nice split surround effects when required, the music score which is one of my favourites sounds rich and detailed and dialogue through the centre speaker is spot on and sounds perfect, its not the best movie soundtrack as far as surround sound goes that i have ever heard but it does its job well and the DTS track is a step up from the Dolby 5.1 mix which sounds good but lacks the extra spaciousness and deeper bass which the DTS track offers.

:Extras Available On The Disc:

There aren't many extra's but there is some clips set to music, a couple of short features, some information on the cast and crew ( Japanese writing ) and also some film trailers, i would have loved a commentary featuring Besson, Portman, Reno and Oldman but i'm happy enough just to own this film and don't really need any extra's.

:Final Thoughts:

This is one of my favourite films of all time, this film just pulls you in and tugs at your heart strings, there are so many classic moments.

I think the underlying message is that no matter how down you might be or how depressed there is always hope, sometimes it just takes a little courage and a few steps to find your way in life and we all need a friend or a loved one in times of despair. I recommend this Japanese edition over any other version out there but if you cannot afford the Japanese version then buy the Korean 2 disc edition which has the original version on one disc and the extended edition on the other ( it lacks the DTS track but it knocks socks off the faulty Superbit version which Columbia released and has the same picture quality as this edition)

:Marks out of Ten:

Film: 10
Picture: 8
Audio : 8
Extras: 4
Overall: 9

:Specifications of the Disc:

Paramount Japan Region 2 Release, NTSC Anamorphically Enhanced Widescreen 2.35:1, Dolby Digital 5.1 448kb/s, DTS 5.1 768kb/s Running Time Approx 133 minutes.

This film has just about every emotion you can imagine and is a tale of love, violence, consumate professionalism, sheer stupidity and with a very definite twist in the tale.

Starring Jean Reno and a young Natalie Portman, and with a disturbingly twisted cameo by Gary Oldman, in a film directed by Luc Besson, I have yet to meet anyone who regards this film as anything other than brilliant.

Reno plays a unfazeable assassin who is very much a loner but, through no fault of his own, befriends a young girl through tragic circumstances and has a little bit of crisis of confidence.

This film will be one of your favourites and is watchable again and again due to the sheer brilliance of the acting and the unusual but gripping storyline. I've watched it at least seven times and might watch it again tonight!

A now classic(stopped manufacturing it). The plot- Assassin looks after Matilda,a young girl orphaned by Bent Kops.LEON a simple but deadly bloke,with a heart to match as many rounds as he has.Takes on the contract from Matilda to avenge her little brothers murder.A tentative closeness grows between the two.
A powerful and touching DVD,too suit everyone,plenty of action and not without some great humour. Watch out for the great twist at the end!

One of my favorite movies for the reasons above,if you can get it on eBay BUY IT!
Dave Shilton

Just perfect!

Natalie Portman fans would be interested to see where it began and Luc Besson films should feel silly for not having this in their collection.

That aside, you should own this film anyway! I can't describe it, you have to see it for yourself!!!!!

Have seen this film before, I wanted a copy of it and won this at auction on ebay.what can I say? Jean Reno is so superb in this role as a "hit man for hire" a loner, he becomes involved with a young girl becoming her guardian when all of her family are wiped out by a drugs gang. the whole story revolves around their relationship and how they change each other for the better. I cannot tell you the ending of the film, but this is a truly great film in my opinion, it will leave you with a tear in your eye and a lump in your throat. just enjoy the movie.

This was a great find on eBay, well worth it. Having seen and immensely enjoyed the UK version of the film, "The Professional" and now having a big screen home TV and my spouse's birthday imminent, I decided to get him this version of the film.

It has a supper support DVD with tonnes of extras and the film proper actually has extra scenes - not in the UK version. Also, the choice of watching it in French really was something. As the French effect - close ups on faces portraying a range of passing emotions, long pauses and silences - works on you, you become drawn into these characters' world and are entralled by the battles, protective nature of the assassin and the atypical 'love affair'.

I'd recommend it and would even go so far as to say that it beats "The Professional".

Excellent ! Shut the doors ,unplug the phone,put the cats out,turn the lights out,and stick this dvd in for 90 mins of viewing heaven.This film has got all the right stuff,in all the right places:great story,with a "sting" in the tail;superb actors,and believable acting;plot that gathers pace and then - well ,watch it !
This is a Besson masterpiece,one to see before you croak it.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Great film! I can watch this over and over again. The emotions that this film evokes gets me everytime...

It was cheap Having converted most of my old video collection to DVD I was thrilled to find this film gem in digital format. If you watch this in widescreen format, it really does the battle scene great justice; coupled with surround sound, you'll be gripped by the amazing cinematography. I would recommend the director's cut that includes scenes about the relationship between the lead character and his estranged wife and helps you to understand the motivation behind his decision. The run time is 183 minutes for the directors cut and 120 minutes for the cinema version. I was, however, disappointed by the lack of extras, which any fan of this classic would expect to be included. There's only a 20-minute interview with the director and other shot "making-of" vignettes.

CLASS FILM BOUGHT FROM A CLASS EBAYER JUST A WONDERFUL FILM TO GET LOST IN, NEEDS WATCHING IF YOU LOVE ACTION AND SOME REAL LIFE

Not sure why it took me so long to buy this film as it was always one of my favourites. Great story, great actors (Gary Oldman in particular is fantastic), brilliant ending. If you don't own this film then buy it now, you will not be disapppointed. 10/10

Leon was and still is an amazing film. Jean Reno blows away the audience with his fantastic role as an assassin with a heart. He shows how complex a simpleton can be with his very basic lifestyle, until he pulls out and unleashes his arsenal.

Portman portrays her character perfectly too (not to mention the great Gary Oldman); I feel as if she is a better actress then than she is now in the rather shoddy Star Wars films. She stars as the innocent and loving Matilda whose ambition is to be a 'cleaner', which secretly means assassin.

Gary Oldman plays the zany captain of police who savours his time with drugs and violence. I won't elaborate because I don't cherish the idea of spoiling the plot.

I highly recommend this film to anyone.

This is one of my top 3 films and i would recommend it to anyone. Brilliant story that is supebly acted and directed.

Here's your chance to get a completely free Playstation 3 80gb or iPhone, this is simple 3 step method on how to get yours! I got mine, you can too!

All you have to do is simply:

1. Sign up to: http://gadgets.freebiejeebies.co.uk/51 (copy and paste into you browser)

2. Once logged in, visit the "Offers" page. You must complete one of these offers to be eligible for your playstation 3. The Lovefilm offer is free, but takes 2 weeks to credit.The Coral one is £5, and credits within hours!!!! (£5 is nothing)

3. Once you've completed your offer, you're at the last stage. Simply refer 14 people to do the same as you by using your referral link which can be found on the "Refer friends" page.
(These 14 people can be anybody, from strangers to friends/family)

Once you've followed those 3 steps, an order button should appear on the "My Status" page. Simply click the button, and the PS3/freebie will be shipped to you within days!

Try it, you have nothing to lose!

If you havn't seen it, definately one to add to your collection ! A+++ from me ! If you don't like violent, shooting films, then this probably isn't one for you, but there's some good acting in this film alongside the violent storyline, and an unexpected ending to the film....Enjoy !

Leon is one of the best movies I've ever seen. Its got action, its got romance, and its got a brilliant plot. Jean Reno, Gary Oldman, and Natalie Portman are amazing I just love this movie!

I decided to try and get hold of this (now rare) film because I saw it in an English class in A-level and we analyzed the opening sequence - and it is a superbly crafted, gripping, suspense-filled assassin thriller. Luc Besson injects his own style into every minute - compare it to Fifth Element. Music by Eric Sierra is fantastic too - these guys make a brilliant combination. A must-see film, if you can win it that is (took me three attempts)!

Leon is amongst my favourite films (incl. Dernier Combat, Subway and Big Blue). Film follows the story of an 11-year old girl (Nathalie Portman) and hit man (Jean Reno) who takes Portman under his wing after her family is killed by corrupt cop (Gary Oldman).

Oldman delivers a superb performance in his portrayal of a psychotic, drug snorting, truly unpleasant villian (listens to Beethoven's symphony to inspire him before a killing - both comic and chilling; somehow this and True Romance's pimp roles seem made for Oldman)!

Besson's talent is evident in his portrayal of the relationship between Reno and Portman. He deals with delicate themes such as Portman being the adult at times - she's a mother to her brother, wanting to appear mature as she smokes her cigarette when she first meets Leon vs. Leon playing the father figure/professional hitman role yet being a child himself, is moving; the sexual chemistry between the characters is warm and natural without being sordid. Superb film - not to be missed.

This is a true Classic. Jean Reno is just so cool as he is in Ronin. A very good film one to see and enjoy.

Hi, If you have not seen this film you have not yet watched one the worlds best. The acting, storyline and action throughout this whole film is second to none. For those who have seen this film will know exactly what I mean. When all is said and done - when I heard they no longer made this film I just had to own it. I wondered why I could not find it in the shops. If you can get it - don't let it pass, you will not regret it.

This film is excellant I would recommend it to everyone,condition was excellant I thoughly enjoyed it