Luc Besson’s sci-fi spectacle is still brilliantly wacky

By any measure, The Fifth Element It’s wild. Written and directed by Luc Besson (Léon: The Professional, Lucia) – a man not known for cinematic restraint – the film is a dizzying blast of sci-fi, bringing together a rip-roaring story, fully committed performances from an A-list cast, and enough visual talent to put most modern genre franchises into action. shame. It’s a potent combination that makes the film happily entertaining – if undeniably chaotic.

In essence, The Fifth Element is a surprisingly simple standalone story. A malevolent presence is heading towards Earth with a mission to exterminate all life in the universe. In its path are four stones, harnessing the power of Earth, Water, Wind and Fire, and the eponymous “Fifth Element“, a supreme being designed with the ability to emit so-called “Light of Creation“ – a super weapon of incredible power. In many ways, it is the definitive distillation of the classic “good versus evil” story. However, while the inspiration may be straightforward, the narrative is anything but.

The Fifth Element is unbridled (and extremely chaotic) fun

In a more traditional expression of this classic configuration, the Fifth Element, also known as Leeloo (played by Milla Jovovich), would be the central character. However, in Besson’s film, She’s just part of a bigger puzzle. Other protagonists fighting to preserve life in the universe include the chiseled Korben Dallas (Bruce Willis – whose blond hair suggests a hybrid of John McClane and David Bowie), Vito Cornelius (a stuttering Ian Holm) and the seductive Ruby Rhod (Chris Tucker). . in the form of top setting chewing). Despite common goals, each of these characters has their own competing motivations, adding to the complexity.

Against the confusing forces of good are even more random antagonists. Beyond the mysterious entity – described by Cornelius as “pure evil“in some uselessly enigmatic exposition – The Fifth Element features a stellar performance from Gary Oldman as megalomaniacal oligarch Jean-Baptiste Emmanuel Zorg. He is aided by a gang of cowardly aliens known as the Mangalores, although the former allies soon turn against each other in an attempt to thwart those present. Soon, everything descends into chaos as various parties betray, deceive, betray and backstab each other as the story leaps from Earth to outer space and beyond.

The pace of the narrative and the number of twists and turns that steal the scene make it The Fifth Element extremely watchable. While Willis anchors the film with arrogant machismo, the real stars are Oldman, Tucker and Jovovich. Arguably, Oldman was never that evil (even his Dracula had a heart), Tucker deftly channels his particular fast-talking charisma, and Jovovich balances boyish charm and innocence, quiet menace and emotional vulnerability. Like one of its interstellar spaceships, the film moves at the speed of light through these stories, barely stopping to breathe. This is both a great strength and a weakness.

The fifth element is confusing – but it doesn’t matter

Part of the problem with the compact story is that certain subplots and supporting characters don’t have enough room to breathe. Leeloo, who really should be the center of the film, is somewhat sidelined by Willis’ more traditional action hero. Oldman’s Zorg, which (along with his hilariously impractical ZF1 gun) elevates every scene he’s in, is never given a motivation that stands up to scrutiny. Despite being one of the most influential men in the world, he has decided that what he really wants is to destroy all life. It’s just an example of Fifth Element back-up story that makes no sense.

However, while the film’s problems are undeniable and unavoidable, they don’t affect its entertainment value. The film is sumptuous to look at (with costumes by Jean-Paul Gaultier), bombastic in the best sense of the word, and original in a way that most modern franchises can only dream of. Compared to the increasingly bleak depictions of the galaxy in Star Wars, The Fifth Element is a loud, unapologetic breath of fresh air. If more films had this courage, science fiction would probably be in a much stronger position.

The Fifth Element will be re-released in theaters on November 17th and 20th.