FIRST TIME WATCHING: Léon: The Professional (1994) REACTION (Movie Commentary)
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- Опубликовано: 3 окт 2024
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Man, Gary Oldman is iconic in this role. "Eeeevryoooneeee!!"
💊💊💊
All the characters in this movie are amazing - Natalie Portman's acting was amazing! Leon is a damn Professional! And Gary Oldman played one heck of a villain!
*EVERYONE!* 😡
The soundtrack in this movie is really underrated. At times it really creates a tense atmosphere.
Edit: and Gary Oldman…wow!
Watch Dogman, the new Besson. Got Leon vibes.
Eric Serra is seriously underrated
I think Mathilda experienced kindness and fatherly protection for the first time ever and confused it with romantic love. And Leon being kind of innocent and almost child like couldn't really know what to do about her feelings. Awesome movie. You should check out "The Big Blue" for more of Jean Reno but a completely different type of film.
Thanks for posting this. So many think the movie promotes pedophilia, when that's not the case at all.
American neoPuritans all over the place, no nuance allowed. They say girls learn to flirt by practicing on their fathers. When you're young it's easy to get your emotions confused or misdirect them, especially if you're mistreated or from a dysfunctional family. It's normal for tween and teen girls to develop crushes on inappropriate people. Responsible, sane, non-gross men fend them off until they get over it (which they do). Luckily for Matilda she landed with someone who wouldn't take advantage of her adolescent confusion. In real life a lot of girls aren't quite so lucky.
@@ThatShyGuyMatt it's definitely the case.
@@ThatShyGuyMatt It is true dipshit. The fucking director got a 15 year old pregnant when he was in his 30s. It's pure pedophilia.
The director is a known pedophile and much of the original love scenes were cut in order for the picture to be released. Do your research
the part where the audience is less uncomfortable with the killing than with mathilda exploring her tween feelings is a huge subtext of the story.
At 8:28 the character playing Benny, Keith Glascoe, was an active New York City Fireman when he filmed this part. He remained a firefighter until his tragic death at the World Trade center on 9/11.
Two of my other favorite Reno movies are the action-comedy, Wasabi, and the pretty amazing flick, Ronin, where he's beside DeNiro.
Ronin is such an awesome, yet sinfully underrated and underappreciated films. I wish more reactioners would do Ronin!
Wasabi is a guilty pleasure for me. Not a great film but still an absolute pleasure to watch. So funny and over the top
The Big Blue is the best for me.
Wasabi is quite inspired by Leon the Professional, he also plays a father figure (but he's also the father) of a young girl and has all the skills of Leon if not more cause it's kinda over the top action comedy.
You should watch Ronin - with Jean Reno and Robert Deniro - "Leon meets Heat"
Jean Reno's character is actually based on another hitman he played in a Luc Besson movie called ''La Femme Nikita'' (1990), about a female assassin (an incredible performance by Anne Parillaud). The actual sequence starring Jean Reno (as Victor ''The Cleaner'') is amazing! Btw, ''The Cleaner'' also inspired QT's ''Mr Wolf'' in ''Pulp Fiction'' and Harvey Keitel actually played Jean Reno's character in the 1993 US remake.
The Hollywood remake was called "Point of No Return" (1993) and it's not quite as good. There was also a 1997 TV series that ran seven seasons and a 2010 TV series that ran for four.
Luc Besson goes on to make SciFi epics like "the Fifth Element" and "Valerian and The City of 1000 Planets" but he also produced more stylish Euro-thrillers with a similar vibe. Check out "Kiss of The Dragon" "District B13" (The first one, avoid the sequel "Ultimatim" and the Hollywood remake "Brick Mansions") "Unleashed"(AKA "Danny The Dog") and "The Transporter"
Reno and Besson's The Big Blue is so beautiful as well, but I would love a La Femme Nikita reaction vid here. So much.
French title is just "Nikita"
What I find super interesting about this movie is that I was about Natalie Portman's age when I first saw it. All the scenes of the two that make you uncomfortable didn't register as weird with me back then. Kids have crushes like this all the time. Back then, I had one on Elizabeth Hurley after watching Bedazzled.
It's up to the adults not to take advantage when this happens, and despite his terrible schooling and stunted development Léon handled it like a pro.
I only came to appreciate this after rewatching it as an adult. At 13 I was constantly wondering what his problem was. It was a fascinating insight in how ones' views and understanding can change in 15 years.
Great commentary. 👍
I dont think Léon believed she was 18. He was simply content to let her lie about it. He didn't need to call her bluff.
They made him apear quiite slow in this movie intentionally so the audiance didn't feel weird that he allows Mathilda to do all the flirting.
Natalie Portman's parents almost didn’t allow her in this film because of the cigarette smoking. Eventually the Director and the parents came to an agreement; you see Natalie holding the cigarettes but you never actually see her take a drag from a cigarette.
My wife and I have prayer plant we named "Mathilda" after Natalie Portman's character. We've had her 25 years. She's a survivor too!
Matilda got the father she never had and Leon got the daughter he always wanted
Jean Reno is also in Mission Impossible 1, and a great heist film called Ronin (starring Robert Deniro). Both are awesome movies, so I'd highly suggest checking out Ronin, and diving into the MI films.
Robin was a surprisingly good 'spy' action film.
He's also in La Femme Nikita from the same director playing pretty much the same role but it's just not a very long role, he apears in the second part of the movie to clean someone.
On Halloween I've seen Leon and Matilda costumes Leon's usually carrying some milk and Matilda has a bear and the plant
Masterpiece ever. Greatness
I'm glad you watched this version, and not the theatrical release -- they made Besson cut out all of the awkward love dynamic for the theatrical, and I feel that the film suffered for it. The Russian roulette scene in particular is just so powerful.
Absolutely love the music- it's done by Eric Serra who has done the Goldeneye soundtrack and a lot of Luc Besson movies my absolute favorite being 'The Fifth Element' which if you haven't seen it would be an incredible reaction.
Jean Reno did a small part in The Da Vinci Code as a police detective.
Keith Glascoe, actor who played Benny, became a NY Firefighter is an actual hero that tragicly died in the 9/11 attacks.
It has a spiritual sequel. Colombiana starring Zoe Saldana is the spiritual sequel to this movie. It was originally titled Mathilda and had Portman attached to it but it was turned down by studios. So to get it made it was rewritten in some parts and had a different character as the lead. They do share similarities and if you switch out Mathilda with Cataleya you can see what was still left in from the original concept.
If you like Jean Reno, check out "Ronin" starring Robert De Niro. Jean Reno is pretty much the lead supporting actor in that one. Very good and underrated movie.
The scene @41:24 of Leon in a theater watching a movie is actually the actor Jean Reno at a private screening of the movie itself.
Tony was always abusing Leon's naivity and illiteracy. He was never going to give Leon his money. I doubt he even gave Mathylda half of what Leon had earned, but rather just enough, to keep her in school and keep her from asking too many questions.
I really wish they made a sequel where she goes back years later and kills Tony and takes all the money
He lliiterally gave her 100 dollers for a month or a week (don't remember which) and it was quite hilarious, considered even as an error in the script cause how was she supposed to live on 100 dolllars for so long by herself.
8:28 - this is Keith A. Glascoe. He was a NY firefighter who died in the 9/11 terror attacks rescuing people from the south tower.
Don't ever tell me you don't know Jean freakin Reno. Ronin? The Pink Panther? The Da Vinci Code? Godzilla? Mission: Impossible? Yo, impossible!
Gary Oldman deserved the Oscar prize for this role
When Gary Oldman puts his arms around the fat man, and speaks into his ear. Rests there for a minute. So chilling and gripping.
It never crossed my mind the chemistry was weird. In the way you think. Leon never, not even for a second, thought she was 18 or ever showed he had thoughts in that line of thought. I think this is actually pretty clear, unless you think Leon is stupid.
Was watch this movie in cinema 1995 when was 15 years old and on vacation in Greece... Beautiful movie😊😊😊
how does this only have 1K likes?!?!!?! This is Her First Movie. Jean Reno has been in a great number of movies and I can't think of one that isn't performed magnificently. Check out Crimson River. It is in French and will require you to read the subtitles but it is still a great movie.
This movie is great
In before someone else.
The Actor who played Benny, was a NYC Fire Fighter, he was in one of the Twin Towers on 9/11 when it collapsed and was killed.
The young girl at the beginning when Leon "Pays a Visit", was at the time, Luc besson's wife, she was also The Diva, in The Fifth Element (Another Besson Film).
This is one of my favourite movies.
By the way, Jean Reno is a fantastic actor. You should watch more movies from him.
I suggest you to check at least "The Crimson Rivers" and its sequel, "Crimson Rivers II: Angels of the Apocalypse", "Ronin" and "Wasabi".
If you like the style of the movie, it's also worth to watch, from the same director, "La Femme Nikita", another movie with similar tones.
Jean Reno was brilliant in the 1993 comedy The Visitors, which was a remake of a French version of the movie also starring Jean Reno.
What was the name of the French version? I loved that movie.
@@coxmosia1 Les Visiteurs x
Me: "Hey Gary Oldman, who loves this movie?"
Gary Oldman: "...(Fill in this Line)..."
YAY! Finally! I've been waiting for you to react to Leon for forever - one of my all time faves ❤
Jean Reno is a hella actor and he's been in a lot of great movies, but to me... he will always be Leon 🥛🌱
Jean Reno is indeed very French, yet also very Spanish.
Bit of a somber note but Keith Glascoe who played Stansfield henchman Benny was a New York firefighter and died trying to save lives on September 11, 2001.
You need to see Gary Oldman's Drexl from "True Romance". One of my all time favorite villains.
Natalie Portman is an exceptionally good actress.... best examples are apart from this movie are V for Vendetta & Black Swan & I can't believe that I couldn't finde either on your channel.
Also Lucy in the Sky, Jane got a Gun & Jacki are other great performances.
WAS
"The most French guy to ever French."
Well..... you're not wrong.
The thing is...technically... he is.
Eric Serra always composes the most creative film scores
1994 i was 16. One of the best years!
This movie is one of my favorite Luc Besson Films.
A lot of memorable scenes in it, one of them is the very last and Stings "Shape of my heart"
If you don't know Jean Reno, Check Out "The big Blue"
Great choice. In my top 5 movies of all time. A classic.
Jean Reno, (Leon) played a Hitman/Cleaner named Victor in the Movie "La Femme Nikitta"! It's a French Film🎥 English dubbed and subtitles. It's about a Female Assassin/Hitman duo in which Jean Reno(Leon) plays a "Cleaner", named "Victor", who cleans up botched "Hits", so there's no trace of the crime!
This was the precursor to this Film "The Professional",in which Leon claims, when asked by Mathilda what he does for a living, that he is a "Cleaner"! The Character just has a different name and obviously different plot, but essentially the same dangerous Hitman/Cleaner Character! It's worth the watch if you liked "The Professional"!
Just food🍛 for thought! Peace!🕊
Jean reno is a great actor.We was in another Luc Besson movie 'The big blue'..
Mr. Besson is one of the most eclectic filmmakers ever.
LEON the Professional, his first worldwide smash and an incredible piece of work.
That 'anti-hero with a heart of gold and an sidekick" archetype.
Often seen in Western or Samurai dramas.
But in an crime drama like this, it still hits.
Jean Reno as Leon is great.
The debut of Natalie Portman as Matilhda is wonderful.
Gary Oldman as Stansfield (one of so many villain roles) is unbelievable.
The song at the end, Shape of My Heart by Sting is a great movie song.
I definitely recommend Luc Besson's La Femme Nikita (1990) or it's remake, Point of No Return (1993). The Fifth Element (1997) and also one of his recent works ANNA (2019).
One of my top 20 movie favs.
"It could have started a franchise"
This is a *thematic* sequel to "La Femme Nikita." (1990) Jean Reno had a small role as a similar character "Viktor the Cleaner" and in a few short minutes of screen time made enough of an impact that it inspired Besson to make a whole movie focusing on Reno as another "cleaner."
La Femme Nikita did spawn a successful franchise: There was a Hollywood remake ("Point of No Return" 1993, not as good) a 1997 TV series and a 2010 TV series.
Luc Besson goes on to make SciFi epics like "the Fifth Element" and "Valerian and The City of 1000 Planets" but he produced a lot stylish Euro-thrillers with a similar vibe. Check out "Kiss of The Dragon" "District B13" (The first one, avoid the sequel and the Hollywood remake) "Unleashed" and "The Transporter"
I still think Natalie could pick up the role again for a legacy sequel - The Professional: Matilda
@@LordVolkov My idea is that Leon and Viktor were brothers and there's a third one. Mathilda is an *FBI agent* who specializes in *tracking* the most elusive assassins and she has to recruit *Nikita* who is still alive off-grid somewhere.
@@LordVolkov Besson actually was going to do a Mathilda film but never could work it out with studios - Much of what was written got re-worked into 'Colombiana' with Zoe Saldana, which could be considered a 'spiritual' or 'thematic' sequel.
Great reaction and final commentary. The cast was stellar in every way.
Leon is a child in every way except his body. He dresses as a child, he drinks milk every day, he interacts with his handler like a child. He reads like a child.
Jean reno is french yes , really good actor we love him here :)
Another crime classic is Carlito's Way.
Matilda never learned how to love and be loved unconditionally, by an adult. Although she appears sophisticated and mature, she is immature and lost. Leon, on the other hand, is an honorable and decent man, even if he's a killer. She makes it easy for him to do the wrong thing but he not only acts paternal towards her, he also spares her feelings. His character is the exact opposite of Oldman's character who is supposed to be a good man but is a POS. I don't think anyone was fooled into thinking she was 18.
Matilda's sexual education, if any, likely comes from her older half sister or girls at school her own age, so she thinks the only way to reciprocate Leon's kindness and caring is through sex. Leon lives by a code of honor "no women, no kids", it's the most important aspect of his character, and for that reason he would never give in to Matilda's advancements. It's because of Leon's code that he even opens the door for Matilda, by not opening the door he would be contributing to her death, it's also the reason he doesn't kill her in her sleep.
good choice everyone in france love this actor and this film...... of course :)
Jean Reno is in the original "Mission Impossible" and "Ronin" with Deniro.
Gary Oldman is scarier as Stansfield than he is as Dracula.
That thumbnail tho! 😂😂😂 Yessss
In all honesty this was Natalie's best acting.
Yeah and the rest is not even close. She had few decent roles but none of them was this good. Other really good role was in Beatiful girls, I remember liking that movie but from her later movies, idk maybe Closer & V for Vendetta though I think she sounded weird with British accent in V but maybe it's just me.
This movie launched Natalie Portman's career. I still wish there was a follow up movie with her becoming a hitperson. It's not too late
She offered it but apparently Luc Besson didn't want a sequel
@@n_other_1604 Actually he did, but he had trouble getting studios to bite for some reason. He managed to salvage much of what was written/outlined for a standalone film instead - Colombiana with Zoe Saldana was the result.
I think there's some dispute about the rights for the characters in the movie and Besson lost them to some studio or something like that. I remember reading about it on imdb but kinda forgot the details.
hes in the first mission impossible movie and leon was in godzilla movie in the 90s
😄😄😄...your thumbnail cracked me up !...
This is unknown to me...the hitman..Leon..IS French and the actor has a number of movies...
There were some weird scenes to be sure...
Leon was really good at his trade but sacrificed himself for Matilda..a shame..I thought he could have lived...
Gary Old man was almost unrecognizable he was so young here...total spaze..lol...Gary has always had a wide range in his characters...
Thanks so much...stay healthy and happy...🌿🌿🌿
Glad u watched the long version & not the Theatrical version 💯
Got this off IMDB:
During the filming involving all of the police cars on the street, a man ran from a store he had just robbed. When he encountered the movie set by accident, he saw all of the "police" and gave himself up to a bunch of uniformed extras.
If you want another similar Reno role, try Ronin with De Niro. Quite a ride.
Luc Besson let the characters improvise. A great example is when Gary Oldman screams "EVERYBODY". that wasn't in the script. Great film.
He actually shouts "everyone." 👍
Matildas dad, "Don't call me Babyface"
I know it's awkward but... it's so good & not many movies could pull it off. Absolutely great reaction. Love that ring trick prediction you got
The 'merci' singlet fits lol
Reno was also in godzilla from 2000 with Matthew Broderick I like that movie also
The Transformers have a pivotal meaning in the movie.
Tony needs more praise. Shady - yes, but doing the right thing in the end.
I always loved this movie. You’re right, the acting was great, no weak links. Jean Reno is known as the French John Wayne. He is in a comedy “Wasabi”. Check it out for some good laughs. I really enjoy watching your reactions.
I think my favorite Natalie Portman film is Closer from 2004. It follows 2 couples living in London and how their relationships fall apart after one of the men meets the other woman. The other 3 actors in it are Julia Roberts, Clive Owen, and Jude Law. All 4 of them do a really good job with the characters. I don’t know if it’s good for reactions, but I’d recommend seeing it if you haven’t.
The film is mostly a French led team, the French have this thing about the awakening of sexuality, and we are supposed to feel uncomfortable about this first crush, Leon is uncomfortable throughout the movie to transmit this to the audience. If you don't feel uncomfortable for Leon there is something wrong with you. Top notch film by Luc Besson if you like this you'll also like his French language ''Taxi ''or''District 13'' or English movies ''The Fifth Element'' or ''The Big Blue'' are also some of my favourites by this director. Besson also does great stunts such as the Parc Cour in District 13 or car chases in Taxi also he directed the transporter series. Married to hot actress Mila Yolovic? of Fifth Element and Resident Evil fame.
I believe the original US edition of this movie had less of the “uncomfortable” scenes. I know there are a few cuts of this one.
Good stuff.
Your movie reviews r excellent and intelligent. Thanks
Who likes this movie? Everyone.
What do you mean, “everyone”?
EVERYONE!
Scenes in this that aren't on my DVD and I don't remember ever seeing. Luc Besson always does some creepy sht. Good reaction. Thanks for this.
Everyone!!!!!!!!! Greatest villian ever!!!!
Jean reno is morrocan,morroco used to be a French province that's why he sounds French.
I seriously want to see Natalie make "Mathilda The Professional".
Another great movie with Jean Reno is "22 Bullets". Give it a watch when you can.
Bring me everyone...
What do you mean everyo...
EVERYOOOONE!!!!....
XDD
Gotta hand it to Gary Oldman. The guy knows how to play a psycho.
I really feel sorry for the first bully in that school, who's trying to mess with Mathilda.
One of my favs.
Leon pulled a " Predator " on Gary Oldman
The irony of you saying how French Jean Reno and his name are. I wouldn't disagree with you, but his name is actually Juan Moreno. He was born in Morocco to Spanish parents and didn't move to France til he was 17.
If you want to see Gary Oldman in another amazing villain role, check out 'True Romance' -- also has an all-star cast before their time.
He's role is very short in True Romance and definetely not that important or well done as in this movie. But he does a funny Jamaican accent.
Gary Oldman is the weirdest dude in the best possible way
I know you said that Leon is John Wick-like. But to me John Wick is like a video game., It's entertaining, but Wick gets hurt and simply carries on. This movie shows that a hitman is mortal.
AWESOME Film.Natalie Portman is simply Gives a Wonderful Debut. But NOTHING Beats the performance from Gary Oldman he IS Simply OUTSTANDING in this Film. What a BRILLIANT Movie from Director Luc Besson.
I read a rumor about Jean Reno turning down the role of Morpheus in the Matrix to do Godzilla.
Jean reno is in a movie with Robert DeNiro do a 1st time watch to that movie consider one of the best car chase scene in history called RONIN
Anyone who says action movies can't also be art house movies definitely hasn't seen this movie.
He is also in a great film called Ronin with Robert De Niro.
This film is awesome!.
Check out Ronin with Jean Reno and Robert DeNiro, it has amazing car chase scenes.
Great choice. This is a classic. Even though it’s American produced, it has a very different feel because it comes from a French filmmaker and it’s cool to get a different vibe. Jean Reno is famous in France, but I think he’s originally from somewhere else like Algeria as I recall.
It's not American produced, it's a genuine French film by a French production company. Just happens to be in English.
He might be from Corsica.
@@dosnostalgic Cool. Good clarification.
@@orangewarm1 He was born in Morocco. His real name is Juan Moreno y Herrera-Jimenez
@Ivaneitor77 Yep