In a time where most of the big Hollywood blockbusters seem to be made exclusively for teenage boys, it is interesting to find a Hollywood blockbuster based on the writings of teenage boy. The Fifth Element, 1997 science fiction spectacle by famous French director Luc Besson, was originally devised by Besson during his teenage years.
The plot (or what goes for plot) of The Fifth Element is set in 23rd Century. Earth is threatened by evil omnipotent and unstoppable force that crosses trans-dimensional boundary in order to threaten the planet every 5000 years. The only hope for Earth is Leeloo a.k.a. Fifth Element (played by Milla Jovovich), the perfect being which happens to be in the form of beautiful girl. In order to stop the evil force, Leeloo needs four stones representing four other ancient elements - fire, earth, air and water. In order to get them she would recruit assistance of Korben Dallas (played by Bruce Willis), cab driver and disgruntled war veteran who gradually falls in love with her. While he follows Leeloo to distant space station in order to obtain the stones, evil arms dealer Zorg (played by Gary Oldman) stands in their way.
It seems that The Fifth Element even in its early script form was envisioned as a film based more on stunning visuals than on anything that could remotely be associated with coherent plot or multi-dimensional characters. The characters look like caricatures; sometimes this can work, just like in science fiction camp classics like Mike Hodges' Flash Gordon. Here the one-dimensional characters are played by actors who at times seem lost (Luke Perry in prologue), not very original in their performance (Gary Oldman in umpteenth incarnation of insane villain) or obviously over-qualified for the job (Ian Holm in the role of priest Vito Cornelius). Bruce Willis, whose character, modelled on the cab driver in Heavy Metal, is nominal protagonist of the film, is overshadowed by Milla Jovovich, fashion model who hardly speaks the word in the film, and Chris Tucker in a brief but memorable role of the TV show host who can't keep his mouth shut.
But the display of acting abilities is not the reason why The Fifth Element should be watch. Its main appeal lies in the incredibly effective combination of special effects, Eric Serra's music, Dan Weil's production design and Jean-Paul Gaultier's costumes. The special effects provided Besson with the tools to provide the film with the spectacular images, displaying the eagerness of a child in the candy store. Eric Serra's music is also quite appealing, especially in while borrowing from Donizetti's operas. Dan Weil's visions of 23rd Century world pays homage to such futuristic classics like Metropolis, Blade Runner, as well as comic books of Moebius. Finally, Gaultier provides campiness by dressing the characters in outrageous costumes and few pleasant moments for teenage (and older) males in audience by dressing Mila Jovovich in as little textile as possible. All that isn't enough to lift The Fifth Element into the science fiction classics category, not even into science fiction camp classic category, but it is enough to provide audience with two hours of entertainment and show that "guilty pleasure" sometimes can be associated even with 1990s Hollywood blockbusters.
RATING: 6/10 (++)
(Note: The text in its original form was posted in Usenet newsgroup rec.arts.films.reviews on August 29th 2003)
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