The Fifth Element is a 1997 science fiction action film directed by Luc Beson. Given how much appreciation I have for this movie, this article will not only be biased (obviously) but it will not be as professional as with other movies I take into consideration for this column. I won’t talk much about the plot because this movie is enough of a classic as is, and sincerely you should watch it if you haven’t: simply put, the galaxy is saved by the main characters from a malevolent-life-devouring entity (what would later become the Marvel ‘cloud’ antagonist).
First thing’s first: the frickin cast! I mean, not only do you have Bruce Willis and Milla Jovovich as protagonists, a hilarious Chris Tucker as a guest star and Gary Oldman as one of the antagonists. I mean, Oldman enough can carry pretty much any movie, but The Fifth Element is just brimming with talent. Milla is a fantastic actress, as well as somewhat of a linguist if you consider that she helped perfect the ‘divine tongue’ she speaks within the movie. Furthermore, I would like to point out that the costume designs are by Jean-Paul Gaultier, and even so, you still manage to see Bruce Willis with frosted tips and wearing an orange tanktop (as opposed to his usual white-becoming-progressively-dirtier-during-the-movie traditional tanktop) – now that’s how you dress a main character.
As much as special effects go, one might argue that the aliens did not age perfectly – you still have to consider that it’s been more than 25 years – but the quality still manages to hold its own. Yes, there are some things that don’t make an iota of sense – looking at you space borders marked by red horizontal lights for instance – but they have their charm I guess.
The movie has presentation, it has storytelling, it has PAZAZ, and oh my god does it have a lot of it. The continuous quips amongst the characters, the humour that manages to put a smile on your face and of course then there is Chris Tucker; during their scenes together, apparently Bruce could not keep a straight face, and I can see why.
Here is however an example of the humour of this movie:
Police: Sir, are you classified as a human?
Korben: Negative, I am a meat popsicle
As much as it is true that I have a soft spot for these kind of remarks, especially when delivered by Bruce Willis with his sardonic look, I think that they deserve recognition. There was a genuine intent in writing a character that way and it shows. Korben is full of himself and portrayed well, but it is not just an isolated case. All throughout the movie, these types of remarks and one-liners persist to the point of completing the character. This is how one should write a frickin action script, just consider how much confidence and arrogance is exemplified in this exchange:
Korben: How much time do we have?(until the galaxy is doomed)
President: One hour and 57 minutes.
Korben: I’ll call you in two hours.
Every interaction is crafted to perfection to create that dimension of an action movie with constant notes of not taking itself overly serious while also being very serious in some themes. It is not an easy feat to accomplish.
By the way, the movie has one of the best mugging scenes. Period.
I would give this movie an 8 and a half out of 10 MULTIPASS.
PS: Just as a side note, apparently Korben read manga. As seen in the image above, he had in his house Sanctuary and Adolf.