Watch Leon

Leon, released in 1994, is a classic action-thriller film directed by Luc Besson. The movie stars Jean Reno, Gary Oldman, and Natalie Portman. Leon is a hitman with a mysterious past who lives a solitary life in New York City. He leads a quiet and simple life, doing contract killings for a crime boss Tony (Danny Aiello). However, everything changes when he meets Mathilda, a 12-year-old girl, who becomes his protégée after her family gets assassinated by a corrupt DEA agent named Stansfield.

The movie starts with Mathilda (Natalie Portman), a young girl living in a rundown apartment with her abusive father, her mother, and her little brother. Mathilda has a troubled family life, with her father being a drug addict who beats her and her mother regularly. Mathilda's life takes a turn for the worse when her father steals drugs from the corrupt DEA agent, Stansfield (Gary Oldman), and stores them in their apartment. Stansfield and his team raid the apartment, killing Mathilda's family in cold blood. Mathilda escapes the massacre and seeks refuge with her neighbor, Leon (Jean Reno), a professional hitman who has an unlikely soft spot for her.

Leon, who is initially hesitant to take her in, ends up becoming her protector and mentor. He teaches her the art of assassination and survival, and Mathilda starts to idolize him. Meanwhile, Stansfield, obsessed with finding the missing drugs, begins to suspect that Leon has something to do with their disappearance. He starts investigating Leon's past and begins to unravel Mathilda's connection to him.

As the story progresses, Leon's relationship with Mathilda becomes complicated. Mathilda starts to develop a crush on the older man, which Leon rebuffs. However, their bond remains strong, and Leon continues to support and protect Mathilda, even at the risk of his own life. The dynamic between the two characters is what drives the movie's emotional core, and Jean Reno and Natalie Portman deliver fantastic performances that highlight the complex relationship.

Gary Oldman's performance as Stansfield is also notable. He steals every scene he is in, portraying a ruthless, unpredictable villain who is borderline psychotic. Stansfield's obsession with the missing drugs and his twisted relationship with his right-hand man, played by Leon's frequent collaborator, Peter Appel, add a layer of complexity to the movie's plot. Their interactions with Leon and Mathilda provide gripping tension and action-packed sequences that will keep the viewers on the edge of their seats.

The movie's action sequences are also masterfully executed. The gunfights and chases are intense and well-crafted, and the climactic shootout is one of the best in film history. The movie's soundtrack, composed by Eric Serra, is another standout. The synthesizer-heavy score adds to the movie's gritty, 90s vibe.

Overall, Leon is a classic movie that has stood the test of time. Its combination of action, suspense, and emotional depth have cemented it as one of the best movies in the genre. The movie's themes of family, loyalty, and redemption are expertly woven into the storyline, making it a movie that is both thrilling and heartwarming. The movie is a must-watch for any action movie fan, and the performances by Jean Reno, Gary Oldman, and Natalie Portman are not to be missed.