Review of The Fifth Element (1997) by Alex M — 03 Sep 2012

It's such a hard movie to classify and categorize, your first thought is it's clearly sci fi but it has elements of fantasy and crime noir and overall surrealism. Luc Besson's style is just like no other, it's so strange and almost bizarre but fresh and childlike in its appearance and creation.

It's a fun world inhabited with flying cars, cartoon characters and over the top action and situations. Bruce Willis with hair is always good, and especially different in this with the blonde hair! He's an unconventional character, commonly found in Luc Besson's stories- he's a military leader and a taxi cab driver! He's the everyman, but also an action hero.

Milla Jovovich's first leading role is as riveting and eccentric as her fire red hair and strange outfit. She's an alien, a fish out of the pond story, and thrown into a war between good and evil, headlined by Gary Oldman's over the top but fun Zorg, and Ian Holm's race of holy scientists(how's that for a weird combination?).

the story is a bit ridiculous and far fetched but it's fun and campy, and luckily, Luc Besson never takes it seriously. One of my favorites from the 90s!