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The Fifth Element

The Fifth Element (1997)

May. 09,1997
|
7.6
|
PG-13
| Adventure Fantasy Action Thriller

In 2257, a taxi driver is unintentionally given the task of saving a young girl who is part of the key that will ensure the survival of humanity.

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shoquandasmith
1997/05/09

The fifth element polarized critics and audiences alike upon release. The story is jumbled but it basically concerns an alien race that arrive on Earth in 1914 to hide four element stones from the ravages of the first world war. The story forwards many centuries and we are suddenly transported to a future full of lively colors and fast action. Fifth Element looks great and the special effects saturation hadn't set in back then yet, as it has now so there is that sense of visual wonder. But the screenplay lacks consistency and the fast-paced action can only hold your attention so much. Bruce Willis plays the Taxi Driver, assigned with assisting the fifth element- which happens to be a human being, Milla Jovovich. Unlike John Mclane however he is content to stay low key in this one possible future. Jovovich is alright and Chris Rock is rather annoying, even though he isn't even there all that much. Watch The fifth element to get dazzled by the special effects and the futuristic world build by Luc Besson, because that is pretty much all the film has to offer.

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betty dalton
1997/05/10

This complicated story is way too long for a comedy. Half an hour could have easily been cut out of it, to improve the flow. The scifi story is bizarre and doesnt really matter, because it is just an excuse for Bruce Willis to save someone, to fight someone and to save someone again etc. Director Luc Besson has more often made movies with stories that just make no sense whatsoever, but you soon realise that when you start watching it. And because one knows it isnt meant to be taken seriously, one can just relax and go with the wild flow of this bizarre science fiction comedy in which Milla Jovovich is an alien that must save the earth from an attack. Bruce Willis is there to protect her. And the ever evil Gary Oldman is out to kill them both. Complicated yet dumb story, but the action and the jokes are good enough to get entertained. Kids would love it. Most adults could love it too if they are into Bruce Willis and have an affection for other weird movies of Luc Besson. His directing style is very wild and imaginative, but he achieves to make very enjoyable movies out of absurd stories. The fifth element isnt a very great comedy, but it is still very enjoyable, because director Luc Besson's style is so unique and playful.

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Alexander Basden
1997/05/11

Watched the film for the first time yesterday - loved it, absolutely mental, breathtaking design for the creatures, costumes, ships, sets, everything! Fantastic cast (special praise to Gary Oldman as Jean-Baptiste Emmanuel Zorg, the greatest character in all of fiction IMHO), great effects and music, definitely one of my all-time favourite films.BTW, anyone else think this was an influence on Logan? The cabbie finds a genetically engineered young woman who doesn't speak English (at first) and takes her to a crazy old prophet and his gangly, pale sidekick to learn that the girl has the future of humanity resting on her shoulders, all the while being pursued by a southern gentleman with ridiculous hair and an army of gun-toting mercs? No? Just me, then.

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eichler2
1997/05/12

The first time I tried to watch this movie, I couldn't even sit through the whole thing. I think I gave up not long after Chris Tucker's ultra-flamboyant character appeared and overwhelmed the movie.But recently it was on one of the free cable channels that show uncut, commercial-free movies, so I gave it another chance. I think a big part of my initial negative reaction was due to the original trailers and commercials for the movie, which totally misrepresented what it was. The ads made it seem like an epic sci-fi adventure movie with lots of action and attractive women. Well, it does have attractive women. And some action towards the end.But this isn't really a sci-fi movie at all. It's set in the future and borrows some visual elements from other sci-fi films (I have to admit that apart from some cheesy effects and costumes, the movie looks pretty amazing), but this is purely a cartoony, campy, over-the-top comic book brought to life. If you're going to watch it, don't take any of the characters or the plot lines seriously and you'll have a much better time.That said, this just isn't a very good movie. Or maybe it's just not what I was expecting and not to my tastes. At any rate, a second viewing 20 years later didn't really improve my opinion of the film very much.

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