The best SF film of 1997

Rating: Null/10 (21 October 1998)

5th Element, while not a perfect film is easily the best SF film of 1997.
Great: Visual Effects - especially the re-creation of Leelou, and the pleasure boat. Casting - Bruce was a bit "calm" while the rest of the cast seemed to be on speed. Perfectly cast were: Mila, Ian Holm, Chris Tucker, and all the flight attendants (yeah!). The opening sequence: fantastic, with the right blend of mystery and imagination.
Not so great: Plot holes - Zorg, as world's richest man, going off to kill people by himself. Corporate titans DON'T do this sort of thing. Underlying theme: Leelou has to fall in love in order to save the Earth? Kind of lame, no?
All in all I enjoyed watching this film greatly. It has a French style and a "world-view" that is quite different from your "normal" American science fiction (as defined by the Star Wars, Star Trek films).