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Cheers for the replies guys... Fifth Element is one of my favourites... so here you go...
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When an apparently unstoppable force is discovered to be heading toward Earth in the distant future, humanity finds itself looking to an alien race of beings capable of halting this force forever.
But when the plan goes awry, it's down to an alien clone, a priest, a radio host and a taxi driver to save the day.
What awaits them all is a grand explosive adventure that will take them among the stars and into the Galaxy to fight for the human race against not only this evil force, but also a human traitor and another more powerful force of alien beings.
Luc Besson's flick is a bit of a Marmite movie really.
It contains all the right ingredients for a sci-fi action adventure... comedy, explosions, gun fights, great acting, superb action and lashings of effects... but it's Besson's usual stylish take on the story and the overall look of the finished product that puts a few people off.
The highest ratings I've seen for the film were around the 70%-75% region and is classed as a Cult Film by many websites and critics alike.
However, for me, what makes the movie special is the overall finished product... it's campy, hammy even and has masses of original ideas combined seemlessly with existing sci-fi ideas and the overall story and plot are absolutely fantastic.
There's also some extremely well pieced together plot devices and some lovely history going on throughout the film too.
The history in question is within the well rounded backstory of the plot and story and with the characters as well, they're all really well developed and have actually been written rather than just thrown together hurriedly.
Another thing that stands out is the overall colourful and bright costumes and setting of the world that Besson is directing.
Most of it comes from highly camp fashion desinger Jean-Paul Gaultier as costume designer and the artistic talents of Jean-Claude Mezieres and Jean Giraud.
The overall feel of the artistic talent on show can seem a little tongue in cheek sometimes but Besson's direction and the acting involved really give the film its own flavour compared to other sci-fi movies.
The acting is also great.
Bruce Willis as Corben Dallas (taxi driver and ex Marine) is brilliantly put together by Willis. He plays the comedy very subtley and edges more toward the invincible hero of the 80s actioner... but Willis' natural on-screen presence lifts the character brilliantly.
Milla Jovovich as Leeloo (the clone) is on top form though. It's not Jovovich's usual action character really, she's full of humour and has a real personality about her in this movie. As far as the action goes, it's the film that made her career, it's just a shame that since this movie the rest of her actioners have been pretty dull. This is by far her best action character.
Chris Tucker makes a great appearance as Ruby Rhod, radio show extraordinaire. Tucker seems to have been given free reign with the role and it really shows. He's funny, annoying, makes the more serious scenes a bit more light hearted and really nails the role of a sex god with a difference.
Gary Oldman as Mr Zorg is another top performance. He's never actually on-screen at the same time as Willis though, which seems a bit odd that the main antagonist and protagonist never actually meet... but still, Oldman really makes an impression as the greedy, slimy, mildly psychotic yet still likeable bad guy. He's the kind of baddie that you love to love really.
Back up comes in the form of Ian Holm, Brion James, Tommy Tiny Lister, Luke Perry, Tricky and comedian Lee Evans.
As for the action, it's explosive, full of high kicking stunts, lots of gunfire and the budget hasn't been spared on anything really. The CGI effects and occasional wire work also blend in perfectly with the louder action scenes.
It's also very exciting when it gets going and the humour that's laced throughout the film works brilliantly with the camp and colourful characters involved in the various explosions and fist fights.
Review #143: The Fifth Element
When an apparently unstoppable force is discovered to be heading toward Earth in the distant future, humanity finds itself looking to an alien race of beings capable of halting this force forever.
But when the plan goes awry, it's down to an alien clone, a priest, a radio host and a taxi driver to save the day.
What awaits them all is a grand explosive adventure that will take them among the stars and into the Galaxy to fight for the human race against not only this evil force, but also a human traitor and another more powerful force of alien beings.
Luc Besson's flick is a bit of a Marmite movie really.
It contains all the right ingredients for a sci-fi action adventure... comedy, explosions, gun fights, great acting, superb action and lashings of effects... but it's Besson's usual stylish take on the story and the overall look of the finished product that puts a few people off.
The highest ratings I've seen for the film were around the 70%-75% region and is classed as a Cult Film by many websites and critics alike.
However, for me, what makes the movie special is the overall finished product... it's campy, hammy even and has masses of original ideas combined seemlessly with existing sci-fi ideas and the overall story and plot are absolutely fantastic.
There's also some extremely well pieced together plot devices and some lovely history going on throughout the film too.
The history in question is within the well rounded backstory of the plot and story and with the characters as well, they're all really well developed and have actually been written rather than just thrown together hurriedly.
Another thing that stands out is the overall colourful and bright costumes and setting of the world that Besson is directing.
Most of it comes from highly camp fashion desinger Jean-Paul Gaultier as costume designer and the artistic talents of Jean-Claude Mezieres and Jean Giraud.
The overall feel of the artistic talent on show can seem a little tongue in cheek sometimes but Besson's direction and the acting involved really give the film its own flavour compared to other sci-fi movies.
The acting is also great.
Bruce Willis as Corben Dallas (taxi driver and ex Marine) is brilliantly put together by Willis. He plays the comedy very subtley and edges more toward the invincible hero of the 80s actioner... but Willis' natural on-screen presence lifts the character brilliantly.
Milla Jovovich as Leeloo (the clone) is on top form though. It's not Jovovich's usual action character really, she's full of humour and has a real personality about her in this movie. As far as the action goes, it's the film that made her career, it's just a shame that since this movie the rest of her actioners have been pretty dull. This is by far her best action character.
Chris Tucker makes a great appearance as Ruby Rhod, radio show extraordinaire. Tucker seems to have been given free reign with the role and it really shows. He's funny, annoying, makes the more serious scenes a bit more light hearted and really nails the role of a sex god with a difference.
Gary Oldman as Mr Zorg is another top performance. He's never actually on-screen at the same time as Willis though, which seems a bit odd that the main antagonist and protagonist never actually meet... but still, Oldman really makes an impression as the greedy, slimy, mildly psychotic yet still likeable bad guy. He's the kind of baddie that you love to love really.
Back up comes in the form of Ian Holm, Brion James, Tommy Tiny Lister, Luke Perry, Tricky and comedian Lee Evans.
As for the action, it's explosive, full of high kicking stunts, lots of gunfire and the budget hasn't been spared on anything really. The CGI effects and occasional wire work also blend in perfectly with the louder action scenes.
It's also very exciting when it gets going and the humour that's laced throughout the film works brilliantly with the camp and colourful characters involved in the various explosions and fist fights.
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All in all, I can see why some people don't like the film... but as a whole it's a romping sci-fi-adventure that's brilliantly choreographed and written in terms of action and plot and the artistry that went into the production really has to be seen to be believed.
A very good sci-fi indeed and is laced with humour and campness throughout.
A very good sci-fi indeed and is laced with humour and campness throughout.
My rating: 93%
