Advanced Search Beta »
Basic Search Fields
The Professional
Metascore
64 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 12
  3. Negative: 1 out of 12
view
per page
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Lisa Schwarzbaum
    91
    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.
  2. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Hal Hinson
    90
    Oldman is the least inhibited actor of his generation, and as this deranged detective, he keeps absolutely nothing in reserve.
  3. The A.V. Club
    Reviewed by: Joshua Klein
    80
    Few action films can claim such complexities without conceding the bang-bang stuff that brings in the big money.
  4. Austin Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Marc Savlov
    78
    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.
  5. ReelViews
    Reviewed by: James Berardinelli
    75
    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.
  6. Time
    Reviewed by: Richard Schickel
    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]
    All this critic's reviews
  7. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Roger Ebert
    63
    Besson has a natural gift for plunging into drama with a charged-up visual style.
  8. The Globe and Mail (Toronto)
    Reviewed by: Christopher Harris
    63
    Takes its viewers on a bouncing high-wire act between intense violence and sugar-sweet tenderness, with some light-hearted comedy along the way.
  9. Variety
    Reviewed by: Lisa Nesselson
    60
    Widescreen lensing favors tight close-ups, and multiple shoot-'em-ups are edited with panache.
  10. TV Guide
    Reviewed by: Staff (Not Credited)
    50
    Luc Besson is a masterly director of stylish, thrilling, and humorous action set pieces, and this film's bravura opening and closing sequences are two of the year's best.
  11. Chicago Reader
    Reviewed by: Jonathan Rosenbaum
    50
    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.
  12. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Janet Maslin
    30
    Lacks the sexy elan of "La Femme Nikita" and suffers from infinitely worse culture shock. [18 Nov 1994, p.C18]
prev next
Page:
  • 1

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.9 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 72 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 26
  3. Negative: 1 out of 26
  1. gams
    10
    This movie is soo amazing! I **** love it. It's in the top in my list of favorites movies, and I think that is one of the best movies of all times. I saw it like 64165465643 times haha and it always surprise me… Full Review »
  2. Hdog
    10
    Absolutely fantastic, the least to say it is by far the best comedy/action/thriller/drama i have ever seen, Oldman is AMAZING, and the performance by Natalie Portman confirms that she is one of the most talented young actress of our time. To everyone that say this movie lacks in realism, that is part of the charm of this movie, just go and see some of Luc Besson's films they are farfetched and wacky and completely awesome, this is a perfect movie for people who are feeling down, its happy and sad at times. Definetly one of the best movies ever made.… Full Review »
  3. Ben
    9
    Gary Oldman's unlimited talent and towering prowess as an actor takes this good movie and makes it great.
See all user reviews »