The Fifth Element

The Fifth Element...

It's one of those films that I've caught on TV in enough chunks that I've probably seen the entire thing, possibly even more than once, but I've never taken the time to sit down and really watch it in one setting. That is, until now.

To be honest, I'm not sure what really made me choose this one to Retro Review. I was sifting through Netflix and was really looking for something more drama based. But once I scrolled over this option I thought, "What the hell?" and selected it.

You may remember a couple weeks ago when I reviewed Minority Report that I stated something to the effect that it must have been really impressive back when it was released. Given that The Fifth Element was presented to audiences in 1997, the same statement holds true. I'm sure upon its release it was simply "amazing" to many, especially lovers of sci-fi. And for the most part, it holds up remarkably well even in 2014. Even better is that the parts that don't hold up as well (i.e. enemy rubber costumes) come across as comical now and actually added to my enjoyment of the film overall.

The Fifth Element starts off with a rather out of place intro in Egypt in the early 1900s. Something about a, you guessed it, fifth element, is uncovered in an excavation right at the same time as aliens land (looking as corny as ever), and present a warning. Fast forward 300 years and we are in the future where the remainder of the story takes place with a large mass headed towards earth, a search and subsequent protection of the fifth element, and a lot of random action/scenery. Truthfully? It's all a bit muddled as the movie really never takes enough time or puts enough emphasis on what exactly is going on. Luckily this isn't really a science fiction film where you have to pay attention so by the end you can easily surmise what happened. Given that this film is held in such high regard I really did expect the story to be a bit better than a simple "protect the girl who can save our world" base, but again, in 1997, I'm sure that this storyline hadn't seen the ground that its seen in this day and age.

*R Kelly rushes in*
"I believe I can fly...I believe I can touch the sky..."

Thinking about the plot really makes me aware as to why I've seen this film on TV at such a consistent rate; it really is a perfect Saturday afternoon film. One where you can finish chores, catch up on email, and maybe walk the dog during a commercial break and come back and feel like you didn't really miss a beat. But enough about the plot. I'm not positive that that's why people hold it in a high regard in the first place anyway.

Gary Oldman's ugliest role? Or his most FAB-U-LOUS?!
HAYYYYY

LOL. So much wrong with this picture.
Including the fact that I have no idea what ever
happened to Chris Tucker.

I believe, and feel free to correct if I'm wrong in the comment section below, that The Fifth Element is highly regarded by many because of two things: its instantly memorable characters and the future world it presents. The characters were easily my favorite part of the film and they bring a substantial amount of life to the film's 126 minute runtime. Some more than others, yes (I'm looking at you President Lindberg...), but when you have a 90s Bruce Willis in top form, a relative newcomer in Milla Jovovich, Gary Oldman being delightfully evil, and a borderline annoying Chris Tucker (ok, ok, often annoying) it's easy to see why the film is so memorable for so many. All four of the actors/actress listed really seem to care about the material and help their characters to be real, while also still living in the realm of a slightly-cartoony sci-fi romp. Willis brings his usual wise-cracking machismo with a caring side, Jovovich gives an excellent performance as a scared, innocent, but super badass alien, Oldman is ruthless and funny, and Chris Tucker is, well, basically a homosexual-but-not-really version of himself.

Also impressive is the future world that director Luc Besson creates. Again, I have to remind myself that this was 1997 so there was a lot more originality to this film than in 2014, and with that in mind it's pretty astonishing. It certainly takes notes from Total Recall, Blade Runner, and Star Wars, but it has its own pizazz, particularly with the wardrobe (of which Jovovich fearlessly shows off on more than one occasion). I always love it when a film has a lot of the little things thought out...or at least things that we wouldn't necessarily think of, and The Fifth Element does that well.

Oh! Oh! Get it guuuurrrrrlll!

Now featuring the MultiPass! Get's you anywhere
and everywhere as long as you say it
enough times!

The rest of The Fifth Element is what you would expect from a movie that was seemed to be made for TV viewing. The action is there, but not super special, and even a tad fake-looking. Some of the alien costume designs look like they came from a Party City store. Many factors of the story and the world are odd and don't make sense, an immediate off-the-top-of-my-head example would be: why is the vacation on a completely different planet Hawaiian themed? And all in all the ending comes across with a whimper after the highlight of the film being the opera-action scene. But despite that laundry list of somewhat nit-picky complaints, The Fifth Element is an enjoyable, and impressive-for-1997 science fiction flick that I'm glad I finally pieced together all at once.

With it being 17 years since the original, I'm surprised that Hollywood hasn't tried to remake this yet.

CONS:

• The plot is nothing special and begins and ends with a bit of a whimper
• Certain aspects of the movie didn't age well (i.e. alien costumes/makeup)
• Chris Tucker goes a tad overboard at times
• Some pretty tame action, much of which looks over-rehearsed
• Certain aspects of the future and the story don't add up

PROS:

• Most of the main cast is fantastic and it really seems like they are having fun with the material but also bringing their characters to life
• Special shout out should go to Jovovich and Oldman
• The world Besson creates is *mostly* amazing and well thought out
• The best scene of the film, with the opera singer and Jovovich fight scene, is a fantastic, well orchestrated few minutes
• The film, especially Jovovich's innocence, is quite funny
• A fun film where you can sit back and enjoy without putting too much thought into it

Retro Rath's Review Score: 7.5/10