"The stones are not safe on Earth anymore."      

THE FIFTH ELEMENT (PG-13) 

Egypt: 1914.  An excavation crew has uncovered a mysterious archaeological find.  The hieroglyphics tell a story of good and evil, the four basic elements (earth, water, wind, fire), and a fifth element--a supreme being--that has the power to destroy the this evil and save the universe.  We are about to learn more when an alien spaceship lands near the site--friendly aliens as it turns out--but ones who quickly sequester the five elements in order to find a safer place for them.  A holy priest, familiar with the powers of the five elements, begs the aliens not to take them--how will we defend ourselves when the evil returns 300 years from now?  The aliens respond: when it returns, so will we...

Written and directed by Luc Besson (La Femme Nikita, The Professional), The Fifth Element offers up a futuristic world filled with extraordinarily vivid imagery.  Reminiscent of films such as Heavy Metal, Brazil, Stargate, Blade Runner, and the like, The Fifth Element is an audacious, ambitious, and stunning visual feast that's certain to impress.  Flying cars, futuristic cityscapes, aliens of all variety, and settings ranging from 1914 Egypt to 23rd Century space stations all find their way into this film, which is fast-paced, energetic, and imaginative to the nth degree.

The story jumps quickly from Egypt to 23rd Century New York, a city still bustling with activity but now boasting a futuristic cityscape complete with flying cars.  As predicted, both good and evil forces return to the scene, with Milla Jovovich appearing as "the fifth element", the supreme being named Leeloo wrapped in scantily-clad "perfection," and who in all the madness crashes (roof first) into Korben Dallas' (Bruce Willis') taxi cab.  Of course, just about everyone is after Leeloo, and when Dallas first decides to assist in her mission to save the universe, the fun really begins!

With Gary Oldman juicily playing the villain Zorg, Ian Holm as a priest assigned to protect the fifth element, and a cast of grotesque alien 'Mangalores', The Fifth Element comes in as a fun and engaging sci-fi/fantasy flick.  There are sights to behold in just about every scene of this film, and if nothing else it definitely is a technical wonder (which you'd expect considering it cost $90 million to make...).  With nicely directed and choreographed chase and fight scenes, and all kinds of craziness awaiting you, The Fifth Element is one to see!  Those who are fans of Besson's work, and those who simply enjoy seeing alternate worlds, will definitely like this film.

Responses from cyberspace--thanks for writing!

David Rogers gives this movie  stars: "Well well well. Bruce Willis finally made a good movie! And his acting wasn't half bad, belive it or not!" (5/6/00)

batchwoodschool@thegridmail.com gives this movie  stars: "The Fifth Element is one of the best films I have ever seen. I wish you could put the film back on sky movies again. Plus Bruce Willis is one of my favorite actors. 10/10 I give it (thumbs up) brilliant film!!!!" (3/14/00)

nikitacatt@aol.com gives this movie  stars: "Although the movie is mostly directed towards the male audience, I enjoyed the movie a lot. It was funy and touching. Not to mention LeeLoo's hair is nifty! But her clothes could use a little work." (6/15/99)

eapoe@cistron.nl gives this movie  stars: "Another great movie with bruce willis. It's a good story..great costums and some fun. The fifth element (the redheaded girl) has a nice accent." (5/20/99)

jgmorales@dfas.mil gives this movie  stars: "I totally loved this movie! What I loved the most what the lesson that it teaches- that love is powerful. Aside from many skeptics views that it was just "eye candy" I believe that they missed the true meaning of the story. They totally forgot that the viewer can find his own interpretations of the film- this movie was art at its finest. I loved the comedy, the costumes, the lighting effects, the musical score, I loved everything about this movie!!" (11/3/98)

David gives this movie  stars: "I love SCI/FI but this movie didn't really grab my attention much. It still was okay, but it could have been much better." (4/8/98)

paul.salmond@dpmc.gov.au gives this film  star: "Would that there was a lower rating. The Fifth Element is definitely a case of production design looking for a story. As usual, Gary Oldman confuses affecting an absurd accent and countenance for character acting (remember the sensuality and charisma he brought to Dracula? Inspired by Grandpa Munster no doubt) and the attempts at humour brought to mind Mel Brooks at his most flaccid. Did anyone actually think the screeching black guy with the video camera was funny? If so, get a lobotomy, it can't do any harm. I mean, really, do a few Gaultier costumes and comic asides that remind one that it is French people like Bresson who kept Jerry Lewis in work for decades constitute a movie? Either I'm missing something, but it's clear to me science fiction was better left in the hands of nerds, who at least understood the genre, NOT costume designers." (6/23/97)

solomongrundy@hotmail.com gives this film  stars: "In my opinion the movie would have been better if all of the stupid slapstick would've been removed. All the jokes after the hold up gag are freaking annoying and should've been rewrote. I mean the world is in danger and Bruce Willis is sticking people in the fridge. He still gave a great performance though too bad the script didn't live up to him." (6/18/97)

shooter@shooterdog.com gives this film  stars: "Film would be well-served by further editing, especially with annoying DJ character. Incredible effects and attention to detail." (5/19/97)

ktancuan@holly.colostate.edu gives this film  stars: "I thought this film had great visual and sound effects and Gary Oldman was wonderful. I mean, he didn't really have to have that accent but he did it anyway! But, I thought the plot was lacking something. The good and evil thing got old and what was that fireball supposed to be anyway... the devil?" (5/12/97)