Cinephile No. 1,188 “The Fifth Element”

Recommendation: 3/5 Stars, STREAM

Plot: “In the colorful future, a cab driver unwittingly becomes the central figure in the search for a legendary cosmic weapon to keep Evil and Mr. Zorg at bay.” -IMDB

Review: The Fifth Element was released in 1997. I watched it for the first time last year at home, and again with a crowd at a local movie theater here in Seattle earlier this year. I don’t know why it took me so long to cross paths with this movie. Perhaps, based on the trailer, I had a sneaking suspicion this film would not be for me. Maybe there were other movies to see. There are always movies to see! Whatever took me so long, I finally arrived at the party, and brought a review with me.  

Like marbles scattered across a wooden floor, this movie is all over the place. It spans centuries and reaches across the depths of our galaxy. It has aliens, an arms dealer, and opera. It flirts with multiple genres and tones. It is part science fiction, action film, drama, and an oddball adventure. It doesn't make sense until you realize it is desperately trying to be a comedy above all else. Once you view it through this lens, its story becomes so much clearer and enjoyable.  

The plot of this film is pitch perfect 90s. It has everything you would expect from the decade of abundance. There is a singular tool to protect humanity, strong religious overtones, a savior with the fate of humanity on their shoulders, a maniacal villain hellbent on profit over people, and one bumbling fool with the skills to get the job done. Throw this all in a bowl, mix vigorously, and you get a film that feels like an odd combination of Die Hard and Mars Attacks. Just before serving, sprinkle in the vibrancy of every character on screen, and you get something that can often feel overwhelming.  

Bruce Willis plays Korben Dallas, a taxi driver who is one wreck away from losing it all, but he is also a man with a backstory. His entire trajectory is changed when Leeloo (Milla Jovovich) falls from the sky into the back seat of Dallas’ cab. Leeloo is the missing piece to save humanity from an evil force with eyes fixed on Earth. Together, Korben and Leeloo join forces, but they are in a race against time. Zorg (Gary Oldman) is an eccentric arms dealer who only cares about one thing, money. This begins a violent collision course, with all three fighting over four mysterious stones, unlocking a tool built for Earth’s protection.  

Looking at everything on my plate, there is more than enough here for an enthralling plot. There is plenty to digest, even for the pickiest cinephile, but then we arrive at the last half of the film. My complaints begin with Chris Tucker’s character, Ruby Rhod. I find Tucker’s portrayal excruciating and annoying beyond comprehension. Every word he utters unnerves me. It felt like experiencing Jar Jar Binks all over again. Which is unfortunate, because the last half of the film features a lot of Ruby. For me, this is where the film begins to lose its charm. It begins to devolve into an over-the-top spectacle with a predictable outcome.  

Here, the film becomes an action film filled to the brim with all the expected tropes. Many of the shootouts, gags, and moments where all seems lost, left me rolling my eyes. And then a cherry is added to the sundae when our two main characters, Korben and Leeloo fall in love. Why? Because that is what you as an audience member wanted. Right? Too bad.  

The Fifth Element isn’t a film I can recommend with any passion. I do think it is worth an evening in, but set your expectations low. And prepare yourself for its most annoying moments. They will test your resolve.  

Be good to each other,  

Nathan