Leon (DVD 2001)

I'm a great film buff with diverse tastes and I often wonder which film I'd want with me if I were stranded on that mythical desert island. Time and again though I come up with the same answer: Leon.
I can't fault this film. Luc Besson is a true artist (I've thoroughly enjoyed his work on every occasion) and this is surely his finest achievement. The casting is truly inspired. I cannot imagine another actor bettering Jean Reno's portrayal of the hitman with a heart.

That said though, the thing that stunned me on first viewing, and on each subsequent viewing, is Natalie Portman's performance as Mathilda. I think I'm correct in saying that she was thirteen years old when Leon was filmed and I cannot understand how someone so young could demonstrate such maturity. She is an absolute 'natural', and perfectly cast.

Finally, I was very impressed by the way Besson dealt with the sensitive subject of their 'relationship'. He manages to convey the warmth without making the viewer feel uncomfortable about the (20 year?) age difference. This becomes more important in the 'director's cut' which contains an extra 20 mins of film which explores their relationship in greater depth; Mathilda has 'designs' on Leon, but he keeps things platonic. Beautifully handled.

If you haven't seen this film you owe it to yourself to give it a viewing. A pity there are only 5 stars available!

Léon is the original assassination movie. The main character Léon played by Jean Réno is a 'cleaner' who's work is his entire life. Driven by his obsessive compulsions, Léon kills when asked without any questions. In contrast to his simple life there is the young Natalie Portman, who portrays a youth brought up in a struggling household. Both characters find their lives intertwined and is soon up to them to keep themselves alive.

I HAVE TRYED ALL SHOPS FOR THIS DVD, COULD NOT FIND IT IN ANY. ITS GOING TO MAKE A LOVELY PRESENT FOR MY HUSBAND.THANK YOU.

Dark, menacing yet fascinating. The story of a lonely hitman at the peak of his profession (the opening scenes are fantastic) realising his emotional side when forced to take care of a young girl who's family have been murdered.

Gary Oldman is superb as a nasty sadistic cop, who ends up on the wrong side of our hitman, again superbly played by Jean Reno.

A must see, superb!!

This film is clever how it draws you into the question, What would you do put in Leons position ?
Without giving to much away any decent bloke would do the same, i think ! Anyway there is plenty of action blood and guts and a story behind the film and Jean Reno is fantastic as Leon.
A very top film indeed.

been attempting to source for a while as i collect good dvd,s and this was one of my first videos years ago

This is one of the films you must promise yourself you will see in your lifetime. And even add to your collection.

This film has Just about everything . Went to the pictures to see it when it first came out and was blown away by it . Jean Reno is awesome bridging the emotions of being a hard man but still getting close to natalie Portman in a father figure sort of way .Bought cos my wife had never seen it and I thought she was missing out .

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!!!!!

This film is fantastic, it has some of the biggest names in film (jean reno, natalie portman, and gary oldman) and an enticing plot. if you enjoy suspense, action and great acting then check this out, you will not be disappointed.

This film is in my all time top ten. Everyone who love films ought to include Leon in their collection. Director Luc Besson always delivers top quality and variety in subject matter. I love the fact I could get my copy at the same price as I'd pay at the cinema to see it once. High Street prices are still high for a 2001 film. Although I already knew what I was looking for it still helped being able to compare with other copies and see what people are bidding. I didn't need to see the stock cover picture and this keeps the costs down for sellers.When I got my copy it was exactly as described and in tip top condition. When I read peoples descriptions and the way they express themselves I will always be swayed towards buying from someone who is literate. Just read the Review tips Things To Consider if you are unsure what to do. Fortunately the seller in this case appeared ok so I started bidding straightaway. I'm very happy with my latest purchase and am off to watch it now. Cheerio reader!!

This movie is 1 hell of a great film. I could watch it over and over. It is an unusual movie in that an assassin takes in a young girl, who's family are assassinated by corrupt cops. Itn then fowwlows a kind of stange love story(?).
If your a bit blood scared then I don't recommend this film for you.

Someone told me I am the absolute double in all aspects of Jean Reno in the film Leon. Well, that was an understatement.
Bought the film - and it turns out to be one of, if not the best film I have ever watched and always will repeatedly.

Ive been looking for the dvd for my partner.
When i found it on the e-bay i as overjoyed,it was getting very stressful as the dvd in question had been discontinued.
it was a miracle to find v dvd and now we have watched it.it was worth the suffering.
thank you.

Decent film with Jean Reno+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Brilliant film.....Thought provocking......loved it!!
How a seemingly wicked person is also capable of kindness and love in his own way. Acting was very good and you totally believe in the characters.I found myself warming to Leon even though he is a hit man. Natalie Portman who plays the little 12 year old girl was amazing. This fim has everything...Suspence ..Action..Thrills and in parts you will need your tissues, it has you griiped from start to finish...Amazing!! Don't miss it!

Been trying to get hold of this movie for a while.
Its an absolute classic film. Really powerful and moving.
A must see for any cinema fan.

i thought the chemistry between the 2 main characters screen was brill.
the story really gripped you from the start to the end
ell Worth a watch

I was very pleased with this item and the delivery!!! I have been keeping a look out this film as i haven't seen it in years and recieved it cheap, quick and easy!!

i just love this film i brought it as it is so hard to buy in the shops
it was lovely o buy from ebay for half the price you wold normaly pay at a shop

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.

No Roots if only! We all have a part of us that dosnt want any roots this film follows how a man who is some what lost, because he has no root. As the tale unfolds we see how cool a killer he is and how bulletts just slide by him, but we also find out that he can read well or that he mats is not that strong!! I love it and have 2 dvd just incase one gets scratched!!!

I BROUGHT IT FOR MY HUSBAND WHO HAD BEEN LOOKING FOR IT FOR A WHILE. SO I WAS VERY PLEASED I GOT A COPY. HE AS WATCHED A FEW TIMES SINCE GETTING IT AS HE INJOYED THE FLIM. I seen before i brought it. BUT DID'NT LIKE IT. REASON NOT MY TYPE OF FLIM, BUT MY HUSBAND RATES IT AS A EXCELLENT.

Juan Reno the lead actor is very good also the story it was a film i will watch again and again.the quality of the DVD was as described.

Any film like this is bound to stand out.

It's got an amazing story line, superbly pulled off by everyone involved. As always, Gary Oldman plays a blinder and although I agree Jean Reno IS this film, it wouldnt quite be the same with Oldman in it.

Most films spur off on a typical drugs bust theme, with guns and fighting and all that crap, but this film handles it on a completely different level. It handles the hapless murder of an infant, which is indirectly the sole motivation of the film, due to impulsive gunfire very well indeed. It's the more emotional side of what transpires AFTER the guns stop. Natalie Portman couldn't have played her role any more realisticly either. She's preteen, but her lifestyle has forced her to have a 21 year olds head on her shoulders. Every aspect of her charecters lifestyle is crystal clear in this film.

Certainly not your typical gangster film in the slightest, it handles the subtleties of life, but still doesnt disspoint in pure firepower either. So much so was the brilliance in this film, the game, Hitman, pinched the fiberwire strangulation from the first scene/ hit (on the cheesy fat guy) for use within the games "elevator roof" scenario.

A classic. Recommended to all.