ADDITION: Sony (Cinema Series) - Region 'A' Blu-ray - November 15': We get the 'original (domestic) and the International cut seamlessly branched on the fancy, new Cinema Series Blu-ray package. It is cited as a new 4K restoration - and you can see the color shifts in our matched screen captures. The new transfer is slightly less technically robust than the 2009 Blu-ray but the image has richer and warmer colors and contrast is notably superior with darker dark scenes and brighter lit ones. Suiting the film it looks pretty intense and shows a shade more information on the bottom, right and left edges of the frame. This looks pretty sweet in-motion losing some of the, undesirable, yellow hue of the older HD transfers.

NOTE: This is the 'Limited Edition Clear Case Packaging' and its quite a beautiful digi-book case. It looks and feels like glass but may be plastic. Very slim with the disc shoved into the side in a sleeve.

Firstly, this is Dolby Atmos - described as "A revolutionary new audio technology that transports you into an extraordinary entertainment experience. With Dolby Atmos enabled receivers and speaker configurations, sound comes from all directions, including overhead, to create an immersive experience with clarity, richness, detail, and depth. With existing home theater systems, you will get a great surround sound experience."

The audio doesn't take a backseat to the impressive video with a Dolby Atmos 7.1 at a deep and rich 4761 kbps (it downconverts to Dolby TrueHD 7.1 for individuals, like myself, without Atmos equipment... yet). The frequent gunplay aggression rises and falls like a rollercoaster ride and the contemplative but dynamic score is by Eric Serra (part of many Besson's projects like Lucy, The Fifth Element, Leon: The Professional, The Big Blue, La Femme Nikita) adds buoyancy to his own music augmented by performances by Sting, Björk, I Like Myself from It's Always Fair Weather (André Previn) performed by Gene Kelly with notable atmosphere and emotion creating a ballet of ranging intensity with warm emotions and unflinching conflict. Wow - immersive and appears to export more fidelity. There are optional subtitles and my Oppo has identified it as being a region 'A' disc.

Supplements - we get the 'fact Track' from the 2005 CTS DVD and the 50-minutes worth of three, same, featurettes but now bumped to 1080P. The Sony Blu-ray has the code for the digital download (Ultraviolet) plus the clear case packaging is unique with a built in is a 24-page book of photos an essay "The Story of Leon the Professional".

Like Coppola's Bram Stocker's Dracula Blu-ray via the Cinema Series upgrade - this is an a/v improvement beyond what I was expecting. For Home Theatre enthusiasts - it amounts to a 'must own'. Strongly recommended!

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ADDITION: Sony - Region FREE Blu-ray - November 09': Not much more to say - the Sony is seamlessly branched (both versions available) and hence is able to utilize more of the disc space - giving a superior bitrate. It still has the greenish/yellow cast but is a shade tighter, with richer detail and is better in motion.

Audio - "Thought the Sony was the best all around with a booming bass; but the French sound seemed to have a better mid range (unless it was just louder)..."
"...sounds great in this Sony release, with 5.1 bass power in both long and short versions. The Sony has a slight improvement in color fidelity. Both great with Sony the winner." (Thank Lynn!)

The Sony offers optional subtitles and my Momitsu has identified it as being a region FREE disc playable on Blu-ray machines worldwide.

Supplements - we get the 'fact Track' from the 2005 CTS DVD and the 50-minutes worth of three SD featurettes. The Sony Blu-ray is also BD-LIVE functional.

It's fairly obvious that the region free Sony is the way to go on all fronts. Recommended!

 - Gary W. Tooze

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ADDITION: Paramount - Region FREE Blu-ray - June 09': Strangely, although this Blu-ray contains both version of the film (domestic and international cut) it is NOT seamlessly branched. Despite this the image quality of the two versions has few differences although (unusual again) the shorter, original, version has the minutely larger file size. I'm also a bit surprised that Paramount have made this "Region FREE" as identified by my Momitsu and there are no mandatory French subtitles. You may choose original English in a DTS-HD track for both versions.

While this is all great news - I'm a bit perplexed by the image quality. Although I haven't seen Leon theatrically I have trouble believing that the image is was originally this yellow. Black levels are much darker to an almost artificial appearance, but it wasn't excessive edge enhancement I see - but moiring and some blown out bright spots. It's a bit frustrating as detail is improved and the image now shows some depth that wasn't present on the flatter DVDs. Despite my stated reservations - it did look much better than I have seen before in my home theater although glossier than I would appreciate. It also seems marginally cropped (edges) next to the DVDs. I'd like to reserve further comments on the image until I do some research or hear from others who may have seen it theatrically. For all I know this image may be an accurate representation and possibly as good as it can look in digital. The look is consistent in both versions but a bit head-scratching.

Both version's English audio, DTS-HD Master tracks, are impressive at over 3500 kpbs. They carry some heavy weight as the film is very dependant on the audio in establishing the mood - suspense and thrills. The mix can get quite boisterous and aggressive with noted separations. There are optional French subtitles, but no extras beyond two non-anamorphic trailers and a calibration test for audio and video.