Totally uneven

Rating: 5/10 (9 July 2015)

The fifth element is a mess. The art direction is great, great vision of a future new york with a vertical society - clean air at the top and smog at the bottom. The effects work is that perfect period before CG completely took over, a mix of model work and CG which I love. Together with the Gaultier costume design there's a perfect 'real-world only slightly grittier' Jetsons vibe to it all.
So many ideas, nice premise and potential greatness is served by a mess of story. It veers between serious sci-fi and bawdy french comedy in an instant, only in a way which isn't satisfying. The stars aren't sure what film they're in either... Bruce Willis is Bruce Willis, Ian Holm is in a late 70's sci-fi, Gary Oldman is a Saturday morning cartoon hammy villain chewing the scenery. As just a few examples.
For me, it doesn't hold together, it's just annoyingly schizophrenic, although I can see why it's become a cult favourite.