Heather Rice (heatherlu)

A wonderful combination of violence, brutality, love, suffering and tenderness - this movie truly offers something for everyone. It's not the violence or the actions scenes which make this movie so great(although they are well done) but rather simple moments that can take your breath away, and hold much more meaning. Such as when Léon opens his door to Matilda and her face is illuminated portraying something angelic. These moments, combined with a near-perfect script and some top notch acting from 3 of my favorite performers; Jean Reno, Natalie Portman and Gary Oldman created a benchmark for Luc Besson. It's intelligent, powerful, stylish and one of the best action-dramas out there.

The best way I can think to describe this movie is disturbingly beautiful. The combination of outrageous colours, and clothing and futuristic houses combined with the music of beethoven and a life long battle of society against youths makes this film significant even today. Exploring the past, the future and an untimely present. What makes the movie for me is the voice over. Alex could have so easily been a character who the audience detested - lethal, violent a sadistic monster. But we see in him the darkest sides of ourselves and will him to succeed; even though we are never quite sure if Alex is a hero or a villain. Malcolm McDowell portrayed this brilliantly. Another thing which makes the movie so special is it's visuals. Bright colours, and fast movie sequences contrasted with scenes of little but grainy background films, dull lighting and superb acting. Once one can get over any discomfort about seeing this film - and simply enjoy it for what it is - a one-of-a-kind lead character stuck in a story of perversion and eternally memorable visuals - it is thoroughly enjoyable.