The Fifth Element

Name: The Fifth Element
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Thriller, Romance
Released: May 9, 1997
Duration: 126 min
Rating: 52
Cast: Bruce Willis, Gary Oldman, Milla Jovovich

1997

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 22 Critics

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 432 Ratings

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8.9

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8.9	User Score Universal acclaim based on 432 Ratings

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THE FIFTH ELEMENT

Movie Details & Credits

Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) | Release Date: May 9, 1997

Starring: Bruce Willis, Gary Oldman, Milla Jovovich

Summary: New York cab driver Korben Dallas didn't mean to be a hero. But he just picked up the kind of fare that only comes along every five thousand years - a perfect beauty, a perfect being, a perfect weapon. Now, together, they must save the world. (Columbia TriStar)

Director: Luc Besson

Genre(s): Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Thriller, Romance

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 126 min

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Awards & Rankings

98	#98 Best Movie of 1997
7	#7 Most Discussed Movie of 1997
6	#6 Most Shared Movie of 1997

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Critic Reviews

Los Angeles Times - Kevin Thomas

The cast is a delight, but it's Willis who is the film's true "fifth element," giving it life, depth and humanity. Read full review

Austin Chronicle - Marc Savlov

Although the film tends to suffer from a severe case of overt preachiness in the third reel (shades of James Cameron's "The Abyss"), it's still a wonderfully visual, exciting ride. Read full review

Chicago Tribune - Michael Wilmington

It's ludicrous, but it's fun. Besson is a filmmaker so in love with his own daffy excesses that he's able to pull us, laughing, right into his world of loony pop. [9 May 1997]

Film Threat - Jimmy Chertkow

The story is such a cut-rate kid's sci-fi fairy tale that at one point Evil actually calls Gary Oldman on the phone (and it isn't played for laughs). Read full review

The New York Times - Janet Maslin

As a yammering, swishy talk show host, Chris Tucker is flat-out incomprehensible, while Mr. Oldman preens evilly enough to leave tooth marks on the scenery. Read full review

USA Today - Susan Wloszczyna

But for all the fancy-schmancy effects (budget: $90 million-plus), the vision of a hypercongested metropolis is not much more sophisticated than an episode of "The Jetsons." [9 May 1997]

Salon - Scott Rosenberg

As you sit through the interminable two-hours-plus that constitute The Fifth Element -- a colossally stupid, overbearingly pompous new movie by Luc Besson -- you can expect to become acquainted with boredom on the most elemental level. Read full review

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User Reviews

TheKiddy

Nov 6, 2010

I loved this movie. I saw it in the theaters and have watched it on TV a zillion times since. There was an article in the NY Times recently about unforgettable movie lines. The article wasn't particularly good - it forgot about Better Davis's "fasten your seatbelt, it's gonna be a bumpyI loved this movie. I saw it in the theaters and have watched it on TV a zillion times since. There was an article in the NY Times recently about unforgettable movie lines. The article wasn't particularly good - it forgot about Better Davis's "fasten your seatbelt, it's gonna be a bumpy ride" and so on. But it got me thinking. And what popped into my mind (forgive me) were two lines from The Fifth Element that I found unforgettable: "Negative, I am a meat popsicle." and "Does anyone else want to negotiate?" And then there is the memorable "It sa, it sa, it sa..." I am really curious what it is that so turned the critics off. I am a fan for life of this whimsical, silly, funny, well-acted and yes, sentimental, film. Love might not save the world, but wait - it's on again this week! Who cares!?!… Expand

17 of 19 users found this helpful172

ShaneH.

Sep 2, 2006

This is my absolute favorite movie of all time. There are no slow scenes in the entire movie. I find myself gkued to the screen every time I watch it. It is also a Sci-Fi lovers paradise.

2 of 2 users found this helpful

Ken

Mar 6, 2006

This movie sits easily in my Top 10. I like sci-fi & kung-fu, and this movie has both. I also like techno music, and it has that. Top it off with Bruce & Milla, and you've got one hell of a fun movie.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

LordLardAss

Mar 25, 2012

PERFECT! This is my all-time favorite movie bar none! I recently got it on DVD, and was worried that it wouldn't live up to my exalted memories, but no worries, this movie has withstood the test of time! Which is pretty amazing for a sci-fi flick - one might expect outdated effects to weighPERFECT! This is my all-time favorite movie bar none! I recently got it on DVD, and was worried that it wouldn't live up to my exalted memories, but no worries, this movie has withstood the test of time! Which is pretty amazing for a sci-fi flick - one might expect outdated effects to weigh it down, but this is not a problem at all. I'm not clever enough to explain just what makes this movie so amazingly wonderful, but it's got it all - plot, action, humor, imagination, music, sex appeal! It's nothing less than a feast for the senses! There is a scene that jumps back and forth between a fight and an alien opera performance that just has me smiling all way through. Just PERFECT! And if you've seen this movie, you know what PERFECT means. ;-) And one more thing: Jean Paul Gaultier was obviously born to design the wardrobe for this movie. His wacky clothes fit the bill perfectly, even though they would be completely out-of-place anywhere else! If you haven't seen this movie yet, I humble suggest you do so at the earliest opportunity.… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

Rox22

Jan 25, 2013

Probably my favorite movies. It's far from being brilliant, I can even say its trashy at time, but there is just so much here that I utterly love. This is the ultimate Sci-Fi movie that stay very true to that concept. Everything is just so over the top that its a marvel to watch, almost likeProbably my favorite movies. It's far from being brilliant, I can even say its trashy at time, but there is just so much here that I utterly love. This is the ultimate Sci-Fi movie that stay very true to that concept. Everything is just so over the top that its a marvel to watch, almost like witching Scorsese on LSD. Also one little detail that many people don't notice that almost never happens any movie I have ever watched, is that the main hero (Willis) and the main villain (Oldman) never meet throughout the whole film. Not a big thing, but a curious one. Overall: a great Sci-fi romp that just never fails to entertain me. I absolutely love it!… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

Halfwelshman

Jan 29, 2012

The Fifth Element is one of those films that just strikes a chord with me. Luc Besson's as-always stylish and energetic direction, his wacky and colourful vision of the future, and the plethora of weird and wonderful characters we spend time with over the course of the narrative all make itThe Fifth Element is one of those films that just strikes a chord with me. Luc Besson's as-always stylish and energetic direction, his wacky and colourful vision of the future, and the plethora of weird and wonderful characters we spend time with over the course of the narrative all make it a very rewarding viewing experience. Bruce Willis' Korben Dallas is basically John McClaine dressed by Jean-Paul Gaultier, but still makes a very entertaining, relatable protagonist. Milla Jovovich is as her very best as the ass-kicking "supreme being" Leeloo, evolving from childlike innocence early on in the film to face her destiny as a weapon against evil. It's the relationship between Leeloo and Korbin that gives the film its emotional heart, and thankfully Jovovich and Willis get it spot-on. Gary Oldman's Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg is a great villain even by his standards, and among the best performances of his career (only just pipped to the post by another villain, corrupt cop Stansfield in another Besson film, Leon, and his recent scene-stealing performance as George Smiley in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy) - the limping, flamboyantly dressed arms dealer and tycoon is comic and scary in equal measure, and Oldman appears to relish the role. Ian Holm is also good as Vito Cornelius, a priest and guardian of the secret of the five elements (and the antithesis of Zorg in characterisation terms), and Chris Tucker provides much of the film's comic relief as the camp, ego-centric celebrity DJ Ruby Rhod. I've no idea why Luke Perry gets top billing in the credits - his character, an archaeology assistant named Billy is only in the film for about five minutes - even Lee Evans is in the film for longer, and he's only got three or four lines! Longtime Besson collaborator Eric Serra provides a brilliantly catchy electronica-based sci-fi score that is nearly as bonkers as the film's story. While the film is extremely enjoyable, there are a few plot holes, and a couple of ideas that are a little underdeveloped or that don't quite work. That said, The Fifth Element still has a lot to offer - it's a sci-fi-fantasy thrill-ride with great character performances, strikingly creative production design, great effects (especially for a European film), an abundance of good gags and some very entertaining set-pieces. If it weren't for the stunning Leon, this would be Besson's best film.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JonathanG.

Aug 2, 2009

While watching The Fifth Element, Europe

0 of 2 users found this helpful

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