The Fifth Element (1997)

73% of critics liked it
(55 reviews)
84% of users liked it
(502,985 ratings)

Good and evil battle for the future of 23rd century Earth in this visually striking big-budget science fiction epic. In the movie's prologue, which is set in 1914, scientists gather in Egypt at the site of an event that transpired centuries earlier. Aliens, it seemed, arrived to collect four stones… More Good and evil battle for the future of 23rd century Earth in this visually striking big-budget science fiction epic. In the movie's prologue, which is set in 1914, scientists gather in Egypt at the site of an event that transpired centuries earlier. Aliens, it seemed, arrived to collect four stones representing the four basic elements (earth, air, fire and water) - warning their human contacts that the objects were no longer safe on Earth. A few hundred years later (in the 23rd century), a huge ball of molten lava and flame is hurtling toward Earth, and scientist-holy man Victor Cornelius (Ian Holm) declares that in order to prevent it from destroying the planet, the same four elemental stones must be combined with the fifth element, as embodied by a visitor from another world named Leeloo (Milla Jovovich). However, if the force of evil presents itself to the stones instead, the Earth will be destroyed, and an evil being named Zorg (Gary Oldman) will trigger the disaster. Despite her remarkable powers, Leeloo needs help with her mission, and she chooses her accomplice, military leader-turned-cab driver Korben Dallas (Bruce Willis), when she literally falls through the roof of his taxi. Writer and director Luc Besson began writing the script for The Fifth Element when he was only 16 years old, though he was 38 before he was able to bring it to the screen. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 2 hr. 6 min.
Directed By: Luc Besson
Written By: Luc Besson, Robert Mark Kamen
Genres: Drama, Science Fiction & Fantasy

In Theaters: May 9, 1997 Wide
On DVD: Dec 9, 1997
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Todd McCarthy, Variety
A hodgepodge of elements that don't comfortably coalesce.
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle
The Fifth Element has to be the most creative visualization since Tim Burton's first Batman in 1989. On top of that, it's a whole lot of fun.
Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times
There's no doubt about it, when it comes to saving the world, Bruce Willis is your man. He does it with smarts and style, humor and courage.
Janet Maslin, New York Times
Mr. Besson directs with ceaseless flamboyance and with an obvious enthusiasm for his film's comic book conceits. But the tone of The Fifth Element is often terribly shrill, especially when attention shifts to grating minor characters.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
One of the great goofy movies -- a film so preposterous I wasn't surprised to discover it was written by a teenage boy.
Susan Wloszczyna, USA Today
An overblown cosmic comic book.
Carly Kocurek, Common Sense Media
Stylish and very violent sci-fi action flick.
Scott Nash, Three Movie Buffs
Pure eye-candy and a rollicking good-time.
Rob Gonsalves, eFilmCritic.com
It's a triumph of form over content, but it's a stunning triumph.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
I knew where it was going at all times, but the ride was excellent.
Geoff Andrew, Time Out
Besson's futuristic fable is flawed by a messy narrative which strains to incorporate far too many grotesque and eccentric characters.
Jimmy Chertkow, Film Threat
The story is such a cut-rate kid's sci-fi fairy tale that at one point Evil actually calls Gary Oldman on the phone (and it isn't played for laughs).
Robin Clifford, Reeling Reviews
Besson has done a solid, if not outstanding, job in bringing his story, written as a teenager, to the big screen.
Matt Brunson, Creative Loafing
A motion picture with the body of a mainstream blockbuster but the spirit of a trendy cult flick.
Dragan Antulov, rec.arts.movies.reviews
The special effects provided Besson with the tools to provide the movie with the spectacular images, displaying the eagerness of a child in a candy store.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
It's cyberpunk!
Brian Mckay, eFilmCritic.com
Everything from the visual effects to the costume design seems to shout out like a precocious child: "Look at me!"
Robert Roten, Laramie Movie Scope
The best-looking science fiction movie to come out in years, with fabulous sets, costumes and special effects, but its plot doesn't quite measure up to its appearance.
Margaret A. McGurk, Cincinnati Enquirer
Fifth Element doesn't reach the level of great sci-fi to which it clearly aspires because it has too many characters doing too many things for too few reasons. Still, it's a lot of fun.

Read all 19 critic reviews

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Alexander D

Honestly, I know very little what I should think of THE FIFTH ELEMENT. If I were to make a list of the most bizarre films I have seen to date (and I've seen quite a few recently that would make the list), this would easily rank as number one, and by a long shot. I feel the… More
Honestly, I know very little what I should think of THE FIFTH ELEMENT. If I were to make a list of the most bizarre films I have seen to date (and I've seen quite a few recently that would make the list), this would easily rank as number one, and by a long shot. I feel the highest peak in this film was Milla Jovovich's performance as LeeloominaÃ¯ Lekatariba Lamina-TchaÃ¯ Ekbat De Sebat (in case you were womdering, I DID look that name up), or Leelo for short. Though her character speaks in no language but the "Divine Language" (no subtitles available, sorry) for over an hour of the film, she delivers an arguably Oscar-winning performance. Maybe if she spoke in the Fifth Element's Divine language for the full two hours, she would have been nominated for a deserving Oscar; whatever the reason, Jovovich just doesn't perform quite as well when she is speaking English. What makes this film extremely difficult to watch is Chris Tucker, who portrays Ruby Rhod, the host of a popular radio talk show. The fact that such a character's talk show is so popular just makes it clear that the people of the future will, in fact, be stupid, or at least to director and creator Luc Besson. Anyone who wishes to listen to Tucker's character speak, in other words, most likely has gone mental: he ruins what could have been a wonderfully original film by giving his character an overwhelmingly and frivolously flamboyant personality. It just doesn't fit the film, which for the most part is fairly straightforward. Full Review: http://wp.me/1Urcx
Mark H

Utterly loopy plot is what makes this French/American space adventure story so intoxicating. Apparently, writer/director Luc Besson began the script for The Fifth Element when he was only 16 years old. The naïve perspective benefits the material; the refreshingly straightforward… More
Utterly loopy plot is what makes this French/American space adventure story so intoxicating. Apparently, writer/director Luc Besson began the script for The Fifth Element when he was only 16 years old. The naïve perspective benefits the material; the refreshingly straightforward conflict between good and evil is explored in a most satisfying way. Besson was influenced by the French comic books he read as a teenager and the production features all of the attributes of their stylish color and composition. Any frame of film could easily be frozen as a panel, completed with dialogue bubbles and the tableau would make a fine publication. The production is ridiculously over the top. The incredibly detailed sets are visually stunning. From the futuristic 3-D highways of Brooklyn New York to the backdrop of planet Earth during the opera concert on Planet Fhloston, every scene is a feast for the eyes. But even that clichéd phrase simply does not do this display justice. For me, The Fifth Element embodies the phrase "cinematically dazzling" more than any other picture. Production design, fashion, music, an international cast, all of it integrated to form a shining model of a sensory celebration. There have certainly been flicks that have been equally stylish, but none to surpass it. French director Luc Besson has been a highly successful force in movie making. One of the most "Hollywood" of all French filmmakers, he has perhaps grown somewhat more mainstream and predictable as time has passed. The Fifth Element remains his transcendent combination of artistry and commerce. Besson's delightful rumination on good vs. evil creates excitement. It's uplifting in it's naïveté, the triumph of love. Naturally these positives wouldn't matter if we didn't have individuals we actually cared about. There's a palpable joie de vivre here, rarely this tangible in big budget science fiction. That feeling is underscored throughout the film concluding with the final shot.
Scott G

Quite a side-step to Bruce's usual action films, an 'okay' structured film, but could be improved in most parts of the film.
Martin S

A fun movie. A little different and a little silly...but in a good way. A interesting plot. Solid performence by Willis. And great performence by Milla. That language she's talking feels so natural. Overall....a good movie. But uagh!...That is just a god awful haircut on Gary… More
A fun movie. A little different and a little silly...but in a good way. A interesting plot. Solid performence by Willis. And great performence by Milla. That language she's talking feels so natural. Overall....a good movie. But uagh!...That is just a god awful haircut on Gary Oldman. Didn't really think the movie needed Chris Tucker though.
Jameson W

A really good Sci-Fi film, but after a recent viewing, I realized that it's not as good as I once it thought it was. Too many weak performances, poor writing, and cliche futuristic scenes keep this one in a lower category than classics like Blade Runner, The Matrix, or Dark City.
moon r

Perhaps Besson's most popular film, a futuristic battle of good and evil that's highly engaging and loads of fun. Nice performances from the cast.
AJ V

A good futuristic movie starring Bruce Willis. It's visually awesome and the story is good too. If you like sci-fi movies you should check it out.
Jacob E

You know, I may worship films like "Brazil" and other films that are considered elitist, but "The Fifth Element" is something very rare: A dumb film that works. Let me explain: You know how Transformers has a problem with the fact that in spite of having… More
You know, I may worship films like "Brazil" and other films that are considered elitist, but "The Fifth Element" is something very rare: A dumb film that works. Let me explain: You know how Transformers has a problem with the fact that in spite of having masturbation jokes and Bumblebee relieving himself on a government agent, it still wants to be taken seriously? The Fifth Element doesn't have this problem. This movie knows that its plot isn't dense and that it's insanely unhinged/over-the-top and it rolls with that fact. It only tries to shove a little seriousness down your throat towards the end, but this is (thankfully) negated by some good gags towards the end. In total, I adore this movie, it's just kind of awesome in the dumbest way possible.
Sergio G

Talking about scifi extravaganza. I really enjoy Luc Besson movies, and this one is not an exception. It's a constatnt bombarding of gags, action scenes and amazing art concept (in my opinion). The main character Korben Dallas received a prize from the sky. Literally. That makes… More
Talking about scifi extravaganza. I really enjoy Luc Besson movies, and this one is not an exception. It's a constatnt bombarding of gags, action scenes and amazing art concept (in my opinion). The main character Korben Dallas received a prize from the sky. Literally. That makes this taxi driver to follow a serie of events that will enroll him in a great adventure to save the universe. Gary Oldman plays a very funny and crazy villain here. Its a classic. Popcorn ready.
Wildaly M

It's the weirdest, coolest futuristic movie I've ever seen. The story is pretty cool and Gary Oldman is especially cool as the arch-villain. It's rare to find a sci-fi movie like this anymore. Bruce Willis is of course the go-to action king of films.
Drake T

A staple in comic-book-like SciFi movie making, Fifth element has it all; awesome world-concepts, bizarre futuristic pop culture, over the top elements of grander. Call it a shallow story, call it formulaic, hell even call it cliche. In the end it's a well directed… More
A staple in comic-book-like SciFi movie making, Fifth element has it all; awesome world-concepts, bizarre futuristic pop culture, over the top elements of grander. Call it a shallow story, call it formulaic, hell even call it cliche. In the end it's a well directed hero-lead-action-adventure. Very Indiana Jones if you ask me.
Spencer S

I believe there are two kinds of people out there: people who enjoyed The Fifth Element and those who did not. There are many reasons why this is. Most people were on board with the solid cast, special effects, and futuristic premise. I truly believe they could get behind all that… More
I believe there are two kinds of people out there: people who enjoyed The Fifth Element and those who did not. There are many reasons why this is. Most people were on board with the solid cast, special effects, and futuristic premise. I truly believe they could get behind all that using suspension of disbelief and a taste for epic explosions. Then there are the movie lovers who saw all the glaring flaws and annoyances. For example: Chris Tucker. Do I really need to say more? They may also have been weirded out by all the mystery of this so-called Fifth Element, the cartoonish future, and Gay Oldman's costume. Seriously, he looks like a Lady Gaga wannbe with half a plastic helmet on his head. Is this supposed to be menacing, or an error they just overlooked? Yeah its annoying on many levels, but looking past them, there are grains of enjoyable film. The chemistry between Jovovich and Willis sizzles, Jovovich is perfectly cast for the part of a strange and innocent weapon for mankind's salvation, and it was at least somewhat intriguing. Goofy sometimes results in really enjoyable films.
Bently L

I grew up with this movie and have a blast everytime I watch it! Bruce Willis delivers a cool performance and Milla Jovovich does the same. The visuals are amazing and the action is great! One of my favorite sci-fi films. Once you see it, one character from the movie will always stay… More
I grew up with this movie and have a blast everytime I watch it! Bruce Willis delivers a cool performance and Milla Jovovich does the same. The visuals are amazing and the action is great! One of my favorite sci-fi films. Once you see it, one character from the movie will always stay in your heads...Leeloo. "Aziz! Light!"
Jeff "

A good concept ruined by a bad script and story. Plus Chris Tucker has a role in this film. That just tells you what your in for. Dcent action is ruined by his whinning and screaching. A film with nothing going for it, The Fifth Element is a bad Sci Fi action film.
KJ P

This movie brings every level of sci-fi films to the table and completely shatters the records held by them all. It was a perfect film that had a really good scene to conclude the movie. The way they lit up the elements and how it was put together, was simply astonishing. This film… More
This movie brings every level of sci-fi films to the table and completely shatters the records held by them all. It was a perfect film that had a really good scene to conclude the movie. The way they lit up the elements and how it was put together, was simply astonishing. This film rocked my socks off in ways that I cannot explain!
Richard C

B
Jason R

One of my favorite movies of all time. Plenty of action, comedy, and fun. Costume and set design compete with Chris Tucker's performance as the best part of the movie, but Gary Oldman's Zorg is the best movie bad guy out of any movie I've seen. Oh yeah, and then… More
One of my favorite movies of all time. Plenty of action, comedy, and fun. Costume and set design compete with Chris Tucker's performance as the best part of the movie, but Gary Oldman's Zorg is the best movie bad guy out of any movie I've seen. Oh yeah, and then there's the Blue Diva. Seriously a must-see if you have any inclination towards Sci-Fi or Comedy.
Leigh R

I didn't really think this was going to be a movie that I would be interested in. However, I was pleasantly surprised with how amusing this film was. Very good cast that keeps you entertained throughout. LOVED IT!
♥Robyn

the action is fast and furious! i liked it
Dead A

Chris Tucker is so annoying. Lol. Loved this movie.