The Fifth Element

The Fifth Element is a movie full of contradiction. It is all at once loud, dark, funny, frightening, and clumsy, while at the same time is full of hypnotic and carefully rendered detail. Though the basic plot of the movie is about a massive evil that threatens all life as we know it, on a deeper level it’s about good versus evil, light versus dark, creation versus destruction, love versus hate. With its stunningly gorgeous futuristic graphics and a story that focuses on a heroine who must overcome the atrocities of death and war to fully experience love and life, it’s clear that The Fifth Element is a symbol of life, love, and art.The Fifth Element is a sci-fi action film that was created by Luc Besson and released in May 1997. Its sub-genres include fantasy, action, romance, and comedy. Reviews have declared it both the best and worst sci-fi movie of all times, having been nominated for prestigious award as well as Golden Raspberries. Though the story is full of plot holes and underdeveloped characters, the mesmerizing visuals and details are simply too gorgeous to ignore. It’s the amazingly detailed effort that Besson put into world-building that allows the audience to believe that the film takes place in a real world that’s in danger.The Fifth Element takes place on Earth in the year 2263. The story focuses on Korben Dallas, an ex-military cab driver, who unwittingly becomes the main protagonist who must search for and protect five legendary cosmic elements to save the world from destruction. Unbeknownst to him, the fifth element is a perfect being that was created for the sole purpose of saving humanity. As the embodiment of the fifth element, Leeloo must combine the power of the other four into a divine light capable of defeating the Great Evil. However, having witnessed and researched so much war and death, Leeloo loses hope in humanity and refuses to cooperate. It’s only after Dallas confesses his love to Leeloo that she can release the divine light and save the world.The Fifth Element offers a variety of design aspects to enhance a moment in a scene. For example, the scenes featured in the trailer offer insight into the darkness of the presence that is threatening the Earth. As the object of evil approaches, the darkness that is descending upon the Earth begins to fall in the form of cut scenes, first in space and then upon the Egyptian tomb. The costumes and make-up in the film are made up of both futuristic and traditional items. In one scene with Dallas, there is a modern fish tank, as well as a modified fold-a-way bed. In the ending scene, the director uses light from the four elements to focus onto Leeloo, creating a cross and turning Leeloo into a symbol of new beginnings, hope and salvation. Each aspect here adds to the viewer’s believability of the movie.As mentioned previously, the director took careful consideration with every detail of the film. What is chosen in each shot and how these elements are arranged in each frame helps in creating a certain reality for the viewer. For example, in almost every scene with Zorg, there is a circle behind him, signifying him as the villain. Dallas, on the other hand, almost always has a rectangle behind him. Furthermore, triangles are used to represent the elements and planetary alignment. In one particular scene, Dallas is running from the police and as he speeds around a corner, the camera reveals that six more cars are waiting for him. In the far background, viewers can see another chase taking place between another police car and a long black car. These compositions of figures and backgrounds helps create a truly believable world.The lighting throughout the movie is kept low-key to better establish a mood of imminent danger. Even during the scenes involving both Dallas and Leeloo, their background is darkened. The movement of the film shows how Dallas becomes drawn to Leeloo. The more he comes to care for her, the more frenzied his actions become. For example, in the scene where Dallas is drying Leeloo off, the camera rarely moves. It gradually pans closer to the couple in a slow process to make the scene more intimate. Later, when Dallas is fighting the Mangalores, the camera moves frantically, the shots are faster, and the mise-en-scene is messier. The lighting is a constant reminder of the lurking danger, whereas the movement helps the viewer to realize how important Leeloo will become to Dallas.The Fifth Element combines a vibrant color scheme with classic neutrals to create a perfect blend of a futuristic feel and everyday reality. In Leeloo’s introduction, the color gold is used to set her apart as the supreme being. She later is seen wearing golden disco pants combined with a cream crop top and orange suspenders. Both Leeloo and Dallas dress in orange, which is used to express the developing relationship between them. The color purple is given to the president to acknowledge his higher, almost royal-like, status.Along with the movement, the camera distance also adds to the relationship of Dallas and Leeloo. When the camera is zoomed out, not only are viewers able to see stunning visuals of the city and planets, but the actions and event are more hectic. In the scene where Leeloo has escaped the lab and is walking on a building perch, the camera pans out to show the hustle and bustle of a busy city. However, in the intimate scenes involving Leeloo and Dallas, the camera zooms in and the events around them become calmer.The editing used in The Fifth Element are a perfect example of parallel editing. For example, in the opera scene, Plavalaguna first begins a soft acapella aria. During this time, the shots switch between her and Leeloo, who is patiently waiting quietly. As the song becomes more intense, so do the events surrounding Leeloo. As she beings fighting the Mangalores, the film cuts back and forth between the singer’s intense song and Leeloo’s fight. As the music climaxes and the fighting intensifies, the beat of the song matching the actions of the fight and ends with both women taking a bow. This scene is edited in an artistic and creative way to help the viewers focus on two important events that happen at the same time.In conclusion, The Fifth Element represents a story of love and life. Had Dallas not expressed his love for Leeloo, then she would never had found the power to save mankind. From her rebirth to releasing the divine light, Leeloo embodies all that is pure and holy, while the great evil symbolizes death and destruction. Furthermore, it’s no wonder that The Fifth Element was the 9th highest grossing film of that year worldwide, earning more than $263 million. The stunning visuals and world-building that were put into the film help the viewer overlook the plot holes, unnecessary characters, and continuity mistakes. Everything from the view of the city to the lavish bedrooms and opera hall on Flostan Paradise are works of art.

This movie is ICONIC. It quite literally revived the action sci-fi IMO and if you haven't seen it just watch it.Of all of his movies, this also is by far the best mainstream, with Leon/The Professional coming in very close. It is definitely the most representative of his style. I wish he'd done this level of work on Valerian.There's some silliness of the 90s that creeps in. Milla Jovovich in a white strap outfit looks a lot more like an adult diaper these days vs the sleek sexy look when I first saw it. Bruce Willis, Bruce Willis's his way through it.But as usual, Gary Oldman steals the entire show.Watch it, love it. Enjoy it.

Fast moving and funny, from the opening scene to THE END. One bit that had me LOL was the melodramatic mother that calls on the phone at the most inconvenient times. A terrific addition to an already whopping rollercoaster ride. Gary Oldman (one of my faves for decades) is hilarious as Zorg, and plays him to the hilt. JUST SIT BACK AND ENJOY.

This 4k is just awesome! Love it when they do the 4k right on the older movies!! The sound is top notch too I use a Sony sound bar with can do DTS and Atmos having a mid to night range sound bar really makes movies come alive in you room

As someone who has loved The Fifth Element since its initial release, I was thrilled to hear about the 4K Ultra HD release of this classic sci-fi film. And let me tell you, it does not disappoint!From the vibrant, neon-lit cityscapes to the intricate costumes and makeup, every detail of this visually stunning film is brought to life in breathtaking clarity and detail. I found myself noticing new things I had never seen before, even after countless viewings of the film in its previous formats.But it's not just the visuals that make this release worth the upgrade. The remastered audio track adds a new level of immersion, allowing you to fully experience the film's thrilling action sequences and iconic score.As for the special features, they are plentiful and engaging. From behind-the-scenes featurettes to commentary from director Luc Besson, there's plenty of content to keep fans of the film entertained for hours.Overall, I can confidently say that The Fifth Element 4K Ultra HD release is a must-have for any fan of the film. And if you're new to the movie, this is the perfect way to experience it in all its glory. So go ahead and treat yourself to this visually stunning and action-packed adventure - you won't regret it!

US release of blu ray region A, no info about it. No back side shown, where that info is listed.Moreover, item description "Now fully remastered in 4K, experience this dynamic action favorite like never before " NOT TRUE since it is a BD edition

Fifth Element is The Best Movie Ever as far as I'm concerned. But then again, opinions are like your backside.... split in the middle. It is a very specific type of quirky, so very likely not everyone's cup of tea. The style is very nouveau-artistic, and is a fantastic backdrop to a story set in the far future that is honestly a lot more believable that most sci-fi movies out there. It is neither all gleaming and shiny nor totally dark and desperate, but very much like a modern life, where there are rich people that have everything they want, and scoundrels living in the dark corners as bottom-feeders, and everything in between. And of course McDonalds have survived! Bruce Willis plays a tongue-in-cheek cab-driver of a flying cab, and the story unfolds with some more fantastical elements including aliens and the ultimate baddy of course. So guess-who has to save the day, and does so with his hilarious side-kick, Mr Supergreen - Ruby Rod! Save the day, save the world, save the girl, get the girl! You know the drill. :)

Lustiger Fantasie-Action film zum abschalten

I first saw this when working abroad for several days at an exhibition, and it was looped on the screens of the stand opposite ours. To my amazement I was still not bored with it when we packed up at the end; for an SF enthusiast like me this is most unusual because all too often Hollywood SF is so clichéd and full of plot holes it is not worth watching. But this modern fairy tale, where as usual Good after many trials and tribulations eventually triumphs over Evil, is from Europe.The Fifth Element broke the usual commercial studio rules and showed Hollywood how it should really be done; resulting in high quality Space Opera with such classic style and superb acting and glorious imagination one can forgive it anything. I bought my copy in Nov 2003 soon after I returned home.Bruce Willis plays Bruce Willis as usual, and yet somehow the character is appropriate to the part. The heroine is beautiful and vulnerable and yet redoubtable and necessary, the villains are suitably villainous and essential to the plot, the military display their customary intelligence, and Chris Tucker adds lunatic spice to tip the whole film over the precipice into an eminently watchable delight.This film is frequently repeated on commercial TV, and each time we say, "Ah, we've got that one, lets cut the commercials and watch the DVD instead." And that is when one notices that the 5.1 sound and 2.35:1 picture quality on the DVD are both significantly better than the usual bit-rate-starved Broadcast, even though watching and listening on the same big screen and surround system.My Special Edition 2-DVD version has on the second disc a number of interesting extras including a 'Making of' documentary, four revealing and interesting featurettes about the conceptions behind the film, and the usual trailers and advertising material used to originally promote the film. The last item is a tempting teaser that this was only the first half of the story, but alas so far Besson has said that a sequel will not happen.

An excellent work of humour, with a multitude of stars in the cast, it is well worth watching and is still funny if viewed repeatedly. The cast features prominent stars from the UK, USA and Europe all clothed by Jean-Paul Gaultier. The director Luc Besson artfully blends the futuristic and humorous plot to create a spectacular take on the not too distant future, injected with a universal irony and circumstantial humour to create an artful blend of entertainment suitable for young and old alike. I would recommend you see this at least once.