MovieChat Forums > Man on Fire (2004) Discussion > Man on Fire vs Leon: The Professional

Man on Fire vs Leon: The Professional

posted 11 years ago by IndianaMcClane
11 replies | jump to latest

Well, I just read through the "Man on Fire vs Taken" thread and got to thinking of another film connected to Luc Besson that is comparable to "Man on Fire" and if you couldn't tell from the title of the thread, it's "Leon: The Professional". A debate that I'm figuring will be more difficult than the thread pitting it against "Taken" given what I saw there. They have connections with things/ideas like revenge, the bonding between a man-girl/relationship in a fatherly way, a man protecting her at all costs, sacrifice, etc. I'm curious to see what would be said on this topic and why.

[–] IndianaMcClane 11 years ago

So, no takers eh? Too bad. I thought this could have been a very interesting thread/conversation.

[–] The_Wood 11 years ago

I love both films. I like the protagonist in Man on Fire (Creasy) more than Leon himself. However, I'll give Leon the edge for one reason: Gary Oldman. His villain in that film is one of the best ever, IMHO.

[–] ph75006 9 years ago

Gary Oldman is always amazing. He's played some of the most despicable characters I've ever seen. And yet, I still adore him and will generally take a chance on a film if I know he's in it. It's not always so easy to separate the actor from the real-life person but Gary Oldman is one of those rare ones who I find myself respecting regardless if he's playing a good or bad guy.

[–] xMCGRUBERx 10 years ago

Too close to call. I love both those movies, taken was awesome to. If creasy,leon and liam were to battle(like 3 men enter one man leaves), creasy wouldnt even make it to his rape whistle. It would be close buy I want to say leon would win. At the same time, out of Those 3, the person I wouldnt want hunting me the most is 1)liam 2)creasy 3)leon. I have serious doubts about leons tracking skills. Creasy is ruthless and determined. Liam is a methodical and worldly. If it was liam character in man of fire, it would of been a 30min movie. 3 awesome films though.
I cant decide which movie i like best. I just love them all.

[–] 9 years ago

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[–] Lord_Gyaldhart 8 years ago

The bond between Leon and Natalie Portman has definite paedophile overtones (I believe the writer actually wanted their relationship to be consummated, but this was not deemed marketable for obvious reasons)

No, it doesn't. If anything, SHE is the one who tries to seduce him several times, he resists always, and nowhere in the movie it is implied that he is sexually attracted towards her, rather, he develops paternal feelings.

So, since the adult NEVER shows any sort of romantic or sexual attraction on the little girl, there can NOT be pedophilia.

Now, in answer to the OP and comparing the movies (Man on Fire vs Leon), I recently watched the first version of Man on Fire from 1987, starring Scott Glenn, Joe Pesci and Danny Aiello. The 2004 version is far better (with Denzel and Dakota), but I have to say that I keep wondering if Luc Besson watched the first version, because the girl who plays Pita (in this version her name is Samantha) has an uncanny resemblance to Natalie Portman in Leon:

http://c8.alamy.com/comp/BPD10M/scott-glenn-jade-malle-man-on-fire-1987-BPD10M.jpg

So, who knows? Maybe Besson liked that film, and he looked for a girl who resembled the one in Man on Fire for Mathilda in Leon. And he found Portman.

The GREATEST ally and BEST friend of christianity throughout history is Satan

[–] trgz 9 years ago

I'm late to this but I'd say that there's little to compare both plotwise and quality. whilst Man on Fire is a passable film (albeit with some awful filming techniques) Leon is a vastly superior story and both the characters and plot are far more believable and solid. I was a trying to think of a better comparison but realised that the old man/young girl aspect is simply next to irrelevant in this film

[–] sholomar 9 years ago

I give the edge to Leon... slightly better story with much better directing... none of that shaky cam garbage, boomy musical scores, etc.

[–] resmat-1 8 years ago

I think Leon is much better.

-- The film is a well-paced 110 minutes rather than a bloated 146.

-- The action is stylishly directed without being ruined by garish visual effects.

-- The most interesting relationship in the film -- the one between guardian and child -- is the focus for the majority of the film and not just the first act.

-- The villain is much more memorable and interesting to watch.

[–] robocat893 8 years ago

I love both films and rated both 10/10 but the edge goes to Leon. Natalie Portman is amazing and Gary Oldman is a true badass. Plus the chemistry between Portman and Reno though a bit twisted is a perfect father and daughter relationship.

Would you... kindly get me a glass of water? I would very much appreciate that...

[–] 8 years ago

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