Originally Posted by
BurnetRhoades
Subway wasn't that great. I only watched it because of Lambert and before I knew who Besson was.
I really enjoyed The Big Blue. I still want to see the super-duper-Euro version with even more underwater footage one of these days.
Nikita, now there was a fantastic movie. Of all of his that I've seen so far it's his best. It's got an interesting, evolving story, fantastic well-drawn characters and it ends bittersweetly and not entirely un-tragic. It introduced me to French action films and I loved how much grit and character was put into the film compared to how hollow and un-inspired and un-satisfying American action films had become by this time. They were dreadful. If you wanted interesting action movies in the early '90s you turned to France and Hong Kong. With Luc Besson you got a Hong Kong action movie through a French filter, which is a great combo for style.
I lost count of how many times I saw The Professional in the theater. I was completely in love with the film. Seeing Victor from Nikita resurrected and combined with the Trevanian archetype teamed up with a jaw-dropping performance and character from Natalie Portman was just magic, not to mention one of Oldman's best villains ever. Ever! EVER-Y-ONE!
I loved this film, and Nikita, so much I was beside myself when I found out I'd get to work with Besson on his next picture. I was, however, disappointed it ended up being The Fifth Element. He was fantastic. It was my favorite work experience to date. I wouldn't trade it and all the collateral experiences related to it. But I thought the film was pretty terrible compared to everything he'd done to date. I really don't like that kind of camp and I didn't care for the production design. It was a script written by a 15 year old (seriously, Luc wrote this thing when he was a teenager). Still, I wouldn't change the experience even if I don't enjoy watching it. He's pretty brilliant to work with so I don't understand why it ended up the way it did. Bruce was a twat to him the same way you hear Kevin Smith talk about what it's like to work with him but it's not Bruce's fault the whole film feels like it's made of plywood.
I've not seen all of The Messenger from beginning to end. I couldn't help but feel like Mila's performance was maybe a little too earnest. After that I lost track of his French films.