blasphemy?

Rating: 6/10 (5 April 2008)

is what you will all say...but I like the American version better, with the exception of the ending. It really is a much better ending on the 'Euro' version. However...I like Bill Conti's music much better. Eric Serra's music is ponderous and boring. Conti's captures the whimsical floating nature of the film and the ambient Med light and water. ..and makes them soar, but in their proper place(s). Serra's just kind of drones on, and misses all the great but subtle cues.
I saw the American version back when it went (probably straight) to video in the states, or on one of the movie channels. Thought it was a great film, still do. I'm gonna take an American cut and shave off the ending to make it work. Don't need all that extra director's cut stuff.
Don't understand how people can like the Serra track better...I kept trying to remember the Conti track as I watched it, and felt empty afterwards. Maybe this has something to do with it: I also think soccer is the most boring game in the world. And in the rest of the world, it's the only game in town. In the US, it's only interesting to watch children (particularly your own) play soccer. Maybe non-Americans also like to watch the grass grow or the paint dry, and then get all snobby because it's so obvious that all of us un-cultured Americans are missing something crucial to life, like there is some hidden deep meaning in watching grass grow, paint dry, a soccer match played and taken seriously by adults (enough so that in some places they get violent over it)..or listening to Eric Serra's boring music ruin a great film. Come to think of it, I thought the Fifth Element was pretty good the first few times...now it looks silly. Maybe I should check out some other of Besson's movies..but they are probably as deadly dull as all those so-called 'great' European film makers that are supposedly such sacred cows because they make films about 'life'. Not a car chase in the lot, I'll bet. Now what's a film without a car chase? Or at the very least someone yelling in the rising climax: "Let's get outta here!"
Here's what you people need: to live your childhoods again with a Carl Stalling soundtrack. Then you will grow up as adults bored to tears by..soccer...growing grass...drying paint..and movie soundtracks by Eric Serra.