The Fifth Element

Rating: 8/10 (15 September 2005)

I always say to myself that I have seen this science-fiction film enough times, as it is on TV so much, but seeing it more often is a good idea, from writer/director Luc Besson (Leon). Basically, in 1914, an ancient tomb containing the Five Elements is excavated, but aliens called the Mondoshawans come to take them away, and only one is left behind, and the information is passed on to all the generations of priests thereafter. 300 years later, a Great Evil is approaching Earth, and firing at it only makes it stronger, and when the Mondoshawans try to return the Elements to Earth, they are attacked by another alien race, the shape-shifting Mangalores. The only "survivor" of this attack is a hand, which when reconstituted and recreated turns into the "Perfect Being", (later named) Leeloo (Milla Jovovich). She manages to escape though, landing in the taxi of ex-soldier Korben Dallas (Bruce Willis), who takes her to the current knowledgeable priest, Father Vito Cornelius (Sir Ian Holm). Meanwhile, wealthy industrialist Jean-Baptiste Emmanuel Zorg (Gary Oldman) is trying to get the Elements for himself to increase the Great Evil he has had communication with. Korben and Leeloo arrive at Fhloston Paradise as winners of a big contest, with wild radio presenter Ruby Rhod (Chris Tucker) to distract him, but Korben does have an idea of where the Elements are. They turn up in the stomach of the entrusted keeper, Diva Plavalaguna (Maïwenn Le Besco), and it is a race against time to return the four stones, and Leeloo as The Fifth Element, to the site where they were found. In the end, Zorg was killed by his own bomb, and the five elements are returned and opened by their symbols, earth, wind, fire, water, and love, and don't worry, Leeloo did live after the world was saved. Also starring Luke Perry as Billy, Brion James as General Munro, Tommy 'Tiny' Lister as President Lindberg and look out for Lee Evans as Fog. The performances, from robust action man Willis, marvellously villainous Oldman, attractive and feisty Jovovich and hilarious Carter are all great. The special effects for the big city backgrounds and alien creatures are very well done, and if this film doesn't get you hooked with the fantastic chases, action, comedy and satire, then I don't know what will. It was nominated the Oscar for Best Sound Effects Editing, and it won the BAFTA for Best Special Effects. Gary Oldman was number 40, and Bruce Willis number 35 on The 100 Greatest Movie Stars, Oldman was also number 11 on The 50 Greatest British Actors, and he was number 36 on The World's Greatest Actor. Very good!