The Fifth Element (1997)

Number Rolled: 24

Movie Name/Year: The Fifth Element (1997)

Genre: Action Sci-Fi & Fantasy

Length: 126 minutes

Rating: PG-13

Director: Luc Besson

Writer: Luc Besson, Robert Mark Kamen

Actors: Bruce Willis, Gary Oldman, Ian Holm, Milla Jovovich, Chris Tucker, Luke Perry, Brion James, Lee Evans, Tricky, John Neville, John Bluthal, Mathieu Kassovitz, Christopher Fairbank

You know what? The first thing I have to say here is that whomever wrote Netflix’s little blurb about what the movie was about was obviously daydreaming instead of watching the movie. Where the hell do street gangs come in? Granted you’ve got this weird little hate triangle going on, but it has nothing to do with street gangs. You’ve got a corrupt business man, mercenaries and the good guys. This is not some weird futuristic version of “Gangs of New York” like the description might have you believe. Damn Netflix, shape the hell up.

As for the movie itself, I love it. I have loved it every other time I’ve seen it and I continue loving it now. I recognize that it has its flaws though. Although Chris Tucker acted incredibly well, his character is one of the single most annoying thoughts every brought to life by art. He makes me want to drill a spork into my brain. The character is there for comedic effect, and it works to a point, but I often wonder if they could have obtained the same final product using a different type of character.

This was the first movie I had seen Milla Jovovich in and it made me love her acting. I believed that she was Leeloo. And some of those lines that she delivered are classics that wind up being quoted on a day to day basis around here. Sure, she didn’t write the script, but had she delivered them differently they may not be quoted as much today.

This also happens to be one of those movies you need to watch if you’re involved in the geek community at all. Not as up there as Star Wars, but still a must see.

Overall Opinion – 4/5