Film Review: The Fifth Element

Director: Luc Besson

Throughout the 1990's Luc Besson was renowned for producing slick thrillers after he rose to fame with Nikita and built upon that with the impressive Leon: The Professional. He moved towards sci-fi for his next big production and got Gary Oldman back as well as Bruce Willis to star. Following this movie he spent a lot more time writing and producing movies with only a few films that he actually directed.

Korben Dallas (Bruce Willis) and Leelo (Milla Jovovich)

At the outbreak of World War I, the Mondoshawns arrive to collect a weapon capable of defeating the Great Evil that could threaten Earth for safekeeping. The weapon is a collection of four stones (Earth, Wind, Fire and Water) as well as a Fifth element in the form of a human but they are forced to give the key to a priest after an accident. In the 23rd century the Great Evil appears and the military on Earth try to destroy it to no avail, Korben Dallas (Bruce Willis) accidentally gets involved when Leelo (Milla Jovovich) crashes into his cab.

It is the film that is known for bringing Milla Jovovich into the public eye despite her inability to speak English through most of the film. The incredibly skimpy outfit she wears early on with her trademark orange hair is synonymous with sci-fi movies now and also a popular fancy dress costume as well. Bruce Willis is quite reserved early on in the film as the average taxi driver but goes into full action movie mode by the end in a role he is much more comfortable in which can also be said about Gary Oldman playing a quirky and slightly deranged bad guy.

The Mangalores

Over time I'd forgotten how many random funny moments are setup within the film, some work and some dont. Chris Tucker's character would have been incredibly funny and exciting had he been on-screen for about a quarter of the time, his high pitched squeals became quickly tiresome. The plot itself really isn't developed at any great length and actually disappears into the background for most of the middle act of the film. One of the saving graces is the visuals which were ground breaking at the time but look very dated nowadays with more sophisticated CGI being introduced, the dated looks gives it a redeeming quality which makes it very hard not to like. Its akin to playing old 90s computer game and trying to critique them on looks rather than just enjoying them.

2.5/4 plot isn't particularly entertaining but great 90's visuals gives it almost cult status.