"Leon", the 1994 international version of Luc Besson's "The Professional" release stateside, is what the Motion Picture Association of America was afraid to release stateside: a darker, more sinister look at a great hit-man thriller that is a little sicker, too.

You don't want to meet Leon (Jean Reno). Thing is, you probably won't be able to, as he is hard to find when he is at work. He "cleans" up a problem when there is one, and only does so to male adults that are corrupt. "No women, no children," he swears. A child shows up to him one day, a young 12 year old named Mathilda (Natalie Portman) whose family has just been executed by a corrupt DEA agent (Gary Oldman) due to her father being caught up in dealing drugs. Mathilda is taken in by Leon; she is a forever changed person who wants revenge against whoever killed her family, especially her little brother.

The domestic version still remains as an incredibly entertaining, visually strong and well acted film, with so many outstanding sequences and originality, even if exactly the opposite is true of the revenge plot. It goes even furtherly wrong however, in placing a 12 year old girl in the middle of some dastardly twisted scenes involving sexual undertones between her and Leon, and some hints of violent rage.

The international version, however, expands on Mathilda's relationship with Leon. She wants to learn how to be a "cleaner" to get revenge, he lets her on for work related purposes. And we get to see even more hints of sexuality in Mathilda that is discomforting and out of place with the rest of the film. (Still, one can't deny this was the reason she was offered the role of Lolita in Adrien Lyne's remake)

Still, this longer version is superior, thanks to director Luc Besson. This is a beautifully shot film that actaully brings his French style of filmmaking right into the streets of New York, that Woody Allen would never imagine to shoot. Besson's incredible use of slow motion, wide angle lenses in the anamorphic frame, overbearing character antics (how else can you see Gary Oldman scream so well and so over the top that it would be out of place in another movie but right at home here?), the use of Eric Serra's moody, atmospheric score, and Besson's great way of flowing scene to scene.

Jean Reno is an absolute standout as Leon. He is so commanding and strong in any shot in this film, it's a shame he hasn't been more popular over in North America (to date, he's had small roles in "Ronin" and 98's "Godzilla"). Natalie Portman, whilst having odd character antics, is equally amazing as Mathilda. It's rare to see this much strength and heart come out of a 12 year old. Too bad her future films didn't live up to her talent. Danny Aiello has a great few scenes as Leon's boss, Tony. Look closely and you'll spot The Practice's Michael Badalucco as Mathilda's father. And last but not least, Gary Oldman is still one of the cinema's most underrated actors, and this film is proof of that. This man can do anything.

I loved this extended cut of "Leon," even if there are problems with some of the tones and revenge story, it is still a captivating and unique movie. Director Luc Besson has moved on from this, to make a good but lacking movie ("The Fifth Element") to a horrible one ("The Messenger"). Even though he still gets funding for his films through the France company Gaumount, his films are getting more American and thusly, less enjoyable. Let's hope in the future Besson gets back to what he knows best: Jean Reno.