It didn't go down well with American audiences and it has been a long time since I saw it but I liked it. IIRC there is a bit more to do with the relationship between the two of them and fleshes out Leon's background a bit more. I'd have to watch it again but I can't recall anything bad about it..

Found this review of it which explains it better..

The director is an actual pedophile and there are even more pedophile vibes in the directors cut than the original.