The Fifth Element

On the scale of 1 to the Matrix, The Fifth Element probably scores around a 7 in terms of science fiction movies. The special effects aren't beautiful, and neither is the plot, but it could still pass as a decent movie. First you have to look past the clichéd themes and not-so-original saving the world concept, though. The basic idea of the film is that the world will, in simple terms, be invaded by a blob of evil every 5000 years, and that the only way to save it is to gather together four stones. These stones represent the classical elements: earth, wind, fire and water, and a mysterious fifth element has to join the equation. Sound predictable yet? Well it will when the alien guardians of these stones fall prey to another strange-looking race of extraterrestrials, leaving only the hand of the fifth element behind. The technology of this 23rd century setting then reanimates the hand into a whole being, Leeloo, who is the key to saving the planet...until she runs away. Evidently, there must be a hero that saves her, enter Korben Dallas the ex-military taxi driver. Conveniently, she falls through the roof of his cab.

The problem with science fiction movies is that they have to have a very believable plot to be enjoyable. Almost anything can be crammed into one of these films to be passed as truth, because there really isn't a limit as far as what can be done. It's fiction, right? So the writers might as well take as many crazy ideas and coincidences and put them all into one piece. Well, The Fifth Element goes a tad overboard. There aren't any thought-provoking theories and certainly no themes that create questions, only flying cars, spaceship enterprises and technology for every thinkable function. If there was ever a problem, the film creators could have written their way out of the mess because at this point, anything would seem to fit in. There are no real laws to the world of The Fifth Element. For example, when the military agents come into Korben Dallas' home for the purpose of asking him if he would go on a mission for them, and Leeloo shows up at the door, a very convenient fridge appears that happens to fit all three personnel. Moments later, when the police show up, an elevator-shower and a bed that slides into the wall are there to hide Leeloo and Cornelius. Leeloo even learns English in the space of a few hours!

Milla Jovovich does surprisingly well, however, when paired with such a plot. She presents Leeloo flawlessly as a very displaced and overwhelmed superbeing. Whereas a lot of actors could have made her seem invincible and overly powerful, Milla keeps her realistic and easy to identify with. Other than the minor discrepancy that is her unbelievably quick learning, she seems human. Of course she has to be wearing only bandages in the first scenes, (it wouldn't be a popular movie without some nudity) but this can only add to her vulnerability, and she even masters a nonexistent language and makes it sound real.

Bruce Willis also does a very good job with his role as Dallas. He comes across very well as a guy that's been in the wrong place at the wrong time and has to deal with it. His life is sinking further and further into the depths of despair, and having Leeloo fall through his car roof just adds to his frustration, until he sees who he's dealing with. Then he becomes increasingly heroic, after being chased by the police and saving her multiple times. This is a difficult role to play, but Willis does it subtly, rather than screaming, "Look at me! I'm saving the world!"

Even the bad guys deserve some respect, and Gary Oldman comes across just as despicable as he should to be Zorg. His voice can make skin crawl as he drones on and on so nonchalantly about the imminent destruction of the Earth with his awful southern accent. And let's not mention his hair cut. Greasy, asymmetrical and half plastic, the costume designers deserve some credit. Humans are naturally attracted to symmetry, so his different halves seem all the more repulsive.

It's mostly the actors that save the movie, despite the theme being "love will save the world." They seem to hold together the fraying plot by becoming their characters, believing the world they are living in. And although there is a level of predictability, not just anyone could invent a story, produce a movie and have success. There are some creative ideas, even though they are oftentimes not well presented, and in this case it can be the thought that counts. As far as sci-fi goes, The Fifth Element did pretty well. If not anything else, it's certainly memorable, and that's what's important.