Rating of
2.5/4
"You can't stop what you can't see"
Indyfreak - wrote on 09/19/18
Luc Besson's slick uber-nineties styled action thriller has a great lead performance by the ever underrated Jean Reno as Leon, a stoic cleaner for the mob that takes a young neighbor named Mathilda (Natalie Portman) under his protection after her family is murdered by a vicious dirty cop named Norman Stansfield(Gary Oldman).
Oldman's infamously over the top turn as villain Norman Stansfield is the stuff of internet memes. Eminently quotable yet ever frightening as a character, Stansfield's evil presence is felt even when off-camera. One of the 1990s' best movie villains.
Natalie Portman is very good as the snarky if vulnerable Mathilda who swiftly becomes accustomed to Leon's solitary and dangerous occupation. And their relationship is where the movie becomes awkward to watch sometimes as Mathilda develops ambiguous feelings for Leon. Perhaps this aspect wasn't meant that way. But in light of recent news stories, it doesn't sit well anymore as a viewing experience.
The action scenes and shootouts are well choreographed; Luc Besson was always one of the era's best action directors. The finale is especially intense.
