63
The Globe and Mail (Toronto) by
Takes its viewers on a bouncing high-wire act between intense violence and sugar-sweet tenderness, with some light-hearted comedy along the way.
What are people saying?
What are critics saying?
90
Oldman is the least inhibited actor of his generation, and as this deranged detective, he keeps absolutely nothing in reserve.
75
ReelViews by James Berardinelli
With some surprisingly strong character interaction, there's a lot to like about this movie, at least for those willing to look beyond all the bloodshed.
30
The New York Times by Janet Maslin
Lacks the sexy elan of "La Femme Nikita" and suffers from infinitely worse culture shock. [18 Nov 1994, p.C18]
50
Chicago Reader by Jonathan Rosenbaum
The sheer oddness of the New York world constructed for this film--where cops and crooks are literally interchangeable, and Oldman and Danny Aiello are stranded in roles that pick over the leavings of earlier parts--ultimately seems at once too deranged and too mechanical.
91
Entertainment Weekly by Lisa Schwarzbaum
Ah, monsieur, you can lead a Frenchman to the Big Apple, but you can't make him a New Yorker -- and that's exactly what makes The Professional so fascinating.
78
Austin Chronicle by Marc Savlov
Besson's visuals are, as always, vibrant and decidedly European. He fills the frames with odd-angled shots and alarming riots of color that catch you off-balance.
70
This is a Cuisinart of a movie, mixing familiar yet disparate ingredients, making something odd, possibly distasteful, undeniably arresting out of them. [5 Dec 1994, p. 93]
63
Chicago Sun-Times by Roger Ebert
Besson has a natural gift for plunging into drama with a charged-up visual style.