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Bruce Willis, Milla Jovovich, Ian Holm, Gary Oldman, Chris Tucker ... see more see more... , Luke Perry , Christopher Adamson , John Bluthal , Lee Evans , Mia Frye , Brion James , Mathieu Kassovitz , Maïwenn Le Besco , Tommy 'Tiny' Lister , John Neville , Indra Ove , Charlie Creed Miles , Tricky , Eve Salvail , Fred Williams

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 si... read more read more...te 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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84% liked it

502,985 ratings

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73% liked it

55 critics

PG-13, 2 hr. 6 min.

Directed by: Luc Besson

Release Date: May 9, 1997

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DVD Release Date: December 9, 1997

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Flixster Reviews (31,701)

  • spielberg00
    December 31, 2011
    spielberg00
    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 highes... read moret peak in this film was Milla Jovovich's performance as Leeloominaï Lekatariba Lamina-Tchaï 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
  • hobster1
    November 23, 2011
    hobster1
    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 ... read moreconflict 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.
  • scottgreen96
    October 30, 2011
    scottgreen96
    Quite a side-step to Bruce's usual action films, an 'okay' structured film, but could be improved in most parts of the film.
  • TheGame90
    September 18, 2011
    TheGame90
    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 Old... read moreman. Didn't really think the movie needed Chris Tucker though.
  • jamers2011
    August 28, 2011
    jamers2011
    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.
  • moonrivers
    August 14, 2011
    moonrivers
    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.
  • ajv2688
    August 11, 2011
    ajv2688
    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.
  • fb100001493964409
    July 5, 2011
    fb100001493964409
    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 B... read moreumblebee 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.
  • sergioogarcia
    July 4, 2011
    sergioogarcia
    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 ... read morethis 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.
  • wildaly14
    June 15, 2011
    wildaly14
    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.

View All The Fifth Element Reviews

Critic Reviews

Todd McCarthy
September 4, 2008
Todd McCarthy, Variety

A hodgepodge of elements that don't comfortably coalesce. Full Review

Mick LaSalle
June 18, 2002
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. Full Review

Kevin Thomas
February 14, 2001
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. Full Review

Janet Maslin
January 1, 2000
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 s... Full Review

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
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. Full Review

Susan Wloszczyna
January 1, 2000
Susan Wloszczyna, USA Today

An overblown cosmic comic book.

Scott Rosenberg
January 1, 2000
Scott Rosenberg, Salon.com

As you sit through the interminable two-hours-plus that constitute The Fifth Element -- a colossally stupid, overbearingly pompous new movie by Luc Besson -- you can expect to become acquainted with b... Full Review

James Berardinelli
January 1, 2000
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

A lot of money was spent on this film, but $100 million doesn't guarantee a good product. Maybe someone should have thought of spending a few more dollars on a better script. Full Review

Carly Kocurek
January 1, 2011
Carly Kocurek, Common Sense Media

Stylish and very violent sci-fi action flick. Full Review

Scott Nash
March 24, 2009
Scott Nash, Three Movie Buffs

Pure eye-candy and a rollicking good-time. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Facts

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    • Jean-Baptiste-Emmanuel Zorg: I'm very disappointed.
    • Leeloo: Multi-pass.
    • Ruby Rhod: What was that honey? It was bad! It had no fire, no energy, no nothing! So tomorrow from five to seven will you please act like you have more than a two word vo-cab-u-lar-yee! It must be green!
    • Korben Dallas: Can I talk to you for a second? [pushes Ruby up against the wall] I didn't come here to play pumbaa on the radio. So tomorrow from five to seven your gonna give yourself a hand, green?
    • Ruby Rhod: [high-pitched] Supergreen!
    • Victor Cornelius: Aziz, light!
    • Leeloo: Bada boom.
    • Jean-Baptiste-Emmanuel Zorg: Voila! The ZF-1. [the weapon opens, and Zorg picks it up] It's light. Handle's adjustable for easy carrying, good for righties and lefties. Breaks down into four parts, undetectable by x-ray, ideal for quick, discreet interventions. A word on firepower. Titanium recharger, three thousand round clip with bursts of three to three hundred, and with the Replay button - another Zorg invention - it's even easier.
Submit a Fact | View All

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The Fifth Element Trivia

  • What is the name of the movie who stars Chris Tucker,Bruce Willis, Milla Jovovich and Gary Oldman?  Answer »
  • In what Bruce Willis film are five items (fire, water, earth, wind, love) required to save the world from total destruction?  Answer »
  • Which of the following movies did Luc Besson direct? (Hint: he PRODUCED the other three. Unlike a previous poster, I actually took the trouble to double-check on imdb)  Answer »
  • In The Fifth Element, where did Bruce Willis' character find the stones?  Answer »
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