The Fifth Element

It's a real pity that Chris Tucker is involved. As entertaining as he usually is, here he is more annoying and ruins an otherwise great movie with his performances. The same can be said about Luc Besson himself, who, despite having created a wonderfully fantastic world with a fascinating mythology, couldn't hold back his imagination in the middle part, making the storyline feel a bit cluttered and rushed (especially regarding Corben's development). The biggest strengths of the film are, of course, the adorable Milla Jovovich and the slimy Gary Oldman. (04/09/2006)

The story, which takes us from 1914 to the 23rd century very quickly, has been waiting 20 years to be realized. It’s therefore not surprising that it is not accessible to everyone the first time they watch it. It's part parody of a parody and part celebration of fantasy. I am happy for Moebius and Maïwenn Le Besco. (12/12/2009)

The seasoned badass Corben Dallas, the fragile Leeloo, the confused mastermind Vito Cornelius and the charismatic bad guy Zorg, (not only) these characters make The Fifth Element a brisk and wacky spectacle that I like to watch from time to time. I must commend the production design, make-up effects and costumes, as there was no limit to the imagination in this respect. The breathtaking and unearthly performance of Plavalaguna interspersed with the action-packed duel between Leeloo and Mangalore always gets me, while on the other hand I am always annoyed by the antics of Ruby Rhodes, who is similarly likeable as Jar Jar Binks. In the end, it's a goofy romp, but in a good way. (03/08/2019)

An incredibly colorful and visually stunning affair that entertains, occasionally even captivates, with its legendary wisecracks and visual-effect-laden, overexposed sequences. It also forces reflection on an interesting mix of genres and visual styles, with a plethora of movie stars overseen by Europe's directors and the scent of a legend, which this film has certainly become over the years. It's all too wild and crazy for higher ratings, but in many aspects, Luc Besson could teach his colleagues a lot with this film. (22/02/2014)

For some time, I managed to avoid this film, but I finally decided it was time to watch it. I’d heard that it’s a bunch of nonsense, but the kind you genuinely enjoy. And, honestly, it’s no surprise. The chameleon Gary Oldman looks like he accidentally gave himself a lobotomy while putting on a toupee, and seeing a blond Bruce Willis isn’t something you encounter every day. Not to mention the tiny colorful elephants, the screaming Chris Tucker, and the stuttering Ian Holm. This film is truly a first-degree madness, especially when you look at what people are wearing. It’s the pinnacle of extravagance, something The Hunger Games didn’t even come close to. You’ll also laugh. Maybe not so much that you’ll be clutching your sides, but you’ll at least be smiling. This film is infectious. It’s absurd, but only to the extent that it doesn’t cross the line. And so, you can easily forgive its clichéd ending, which delivers the one truth: Love must triumph because only love can save the world. (16/02/2013)