Reno's performance of hangdog loyalty lends his character pleasing sympathy while Besson's heavily stylized direction builds tension around sexy violence.
Comment
04/09/08
Léon the Professional (1994)
74
%
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:38
Fresh:28
Rotten:10
Average Rating:6.7/10
Runtime: 2 hrs 13 mins
Genre: Action/Adventure
Synopsis: Leon (Jean Reno) is a precise, calculating hit man--a consummate professional, with no family and no friends. However, he has casually befriended Mathilda (Natalie Portman, in an auspicious debut),... [More]
Starring: Jean Reno, Natalie Portman, Gary Oldman, Danny Aiello
Director: Luc Besson
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Reviews for Léon the Professional
Luc Besson is a masterly director of stylish, thrilling, and humorous action set pieces, and this film's bravura opening and closing sequences are two of the year's best.
09/26/07
Despite Besson's mastery of technique, Leon's success is due in large part to its elegant performances.
09/25/03
"Leon The Professional" is a consummate hit man movie from the early '90s era in cinema when every young filmmaker wanted to be the next Tarantino. Luc Besson just had to be himself.
05/16/09
No review available.
07/08/04
Besson's skills of action director are enough to guarantee entertainment.
01/01/00
One pretty awesome action movie.
01/01/00
Top CriticIt is stylish, darkly humorous, and almost artsy in its approach to the genre.
01/01/00
Top CriticNo review available.
04/09/03
Reno and Portman both deliver terrific performances.
11/07/02
For the most part, The Professional is a great action picture.
11/15/07
It's surprising to find an action movie with so much emotional baggage, but amazingly it works.
03/05/02
Top-notch thriller.
12/29/02
An exceptionally well crafted urban drama.
09/10/02
An altogether interesting take on an old story, one which Besson pulls off with his customary flair and panache.
01/01/00
My advice to everyone out there is to throw away your copy of The Professional, throw down twenty bucks, and pick up this newly restored (director's cut) cinematic masterpiece.
01/01/00
No review available.
11/20/03
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November 23, 2007:
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This week, Timothy Olyphant stars in Hitman, the tale of a skilled contract killer who finds himself in the midst of deadly political intrigue. Here at RT, we thought it would... More...
January 17, 2007:
Olyphant Pursues "Hitman" Contract
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September 12, 2006:
Director Luc Besson Gives Up Camera for Civic Projects
Director Luc Besson tells the Associated Press that "Arthur et Les Minimoys" (Arthur and the Invisibles), which will open Jan 12, 2007 in the States, is his last movie... More...
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