The Fifth Element: Classic or Just Terrible?
Double Viking has posted up what can only be described as a graphomaniacal thesis on the supposed excellence of Luc Besson's The Fifth Element. What's so fantastic about it is that if I simply changed the title, I could easily repost it as the definitive compendium of the qualities of the film that make me feel like my teeth are being drilled.
In fact, it's so literally like that that I'm having a hard time arguing with it. All I can do is read each point over and retort, "Yeah... that's why the film is terrible." The Fifth Element is a poorly written, poorly structured, tangerine-bright piece of overrated sci-fi trash. I like Luc Besson generally, but it's clear from watching it that Luc Besson was telling the truth: this really was a movie he wrote when he was five years old.
When a list talks about how an undeniable element of excellence in a film is Chris Tucker prancing around in leopard skin, sporting a platinum-blond afro and hyperactively screaming through a good portion of the run time, I just don't know what to say: Chris Tucker's performance in this film makes me feel like I've had a glass catheter shattered inside me. It's just madness. And when a writer follows that up with the claim that the film is expertly scripted because the hero and protagonist never, ever meet? I mean, whuh?
Is there anyone out there who appreciates The Fifth Element, short of its sole redeeming feature: several reels worth of Milla Jovovich nudity? I suppose there's a contingent of "So bad its good!" fans out there, which I find inexplicable, but okay... but are there people who actually appreciate it on its own merits? And, if so, are you mad?
Edit: I do like the robot bartender. I really need to have one of those babies installed.
Real Men Love The Fifth Element [Double Viking, via SF Signal]
I'll readily admit that the film isn't the paragon of science fiction (that would be Blade Runner, in my very humble opinion). Still, it's enjoyable, not because of its plot, which is muddled nearly to the point of being incomprehensible, and not because of its actual sci-fi content, which is itself so derivative that, as you said, it really does seem like the work of a 5-year-old. The greatness of The Fifth Element to me is all about setting. Like the Super Mario Bros. Movie (another film that I confess to liking), The Fifth Element isn't intended to be an epic like Star Wars or a stylish and thoughtful masterpiece like Blade Runner. It's a comedy, and that's the bottom line. The setting, which is usually just a means to the end of communicating the plot, is actually the most engaging element of the movie due to its sheer redonkulousness. The heavy presence of sarcasm,irony, and absurdity in the script develops the setting, not the plot.
Anyway, I could probably go on to write a pamphlet about why I enjoy (but don't absolutely love or worship or anything close to that) The Fifth Element, but unless you'd like some clarification, I think I'll leave it at that for the sake of being somewhat concise. :)
Dr Aum got it in one.
And Chris Tucker's role in it was so, so awfully good.
years ago, they were showing it all the time on hbo or whatever, and i found that whether i came in at the beginning, middle or end of the movie i was going to end up finishing it out. i've seen it a whole mess of times, own the dvd, all that. it's a heck of a good time!
Ditto. This is just a fun film. Sure some of the actors are wooden (They could have picked a much better president than Tommy Lister), and parts of the plot have cookie-cutter edges so sharp they'd sever an artery; but where else can you see Chris Tucker in a dress acting like a flamer without having to actually drive to Beverly Hills?
I gotta say thumbs up on this one.
surely this will mark me as a philistine for life, but i loved the fifth element...
i thought it was fun, entertaining, very stylized and did not take itself too seriously - withiut being outright camp. i was in fact suprised when i realized that my opinion seemed to be the minority opinion - i mean i can see not liking it - but a lot of folks seem to hate it
I personally dont think its in any way a good movie but it does visually strike me as a wow movie :)
wow as in it looks good and totally not what people expect in a sci-fi movie
Like Lucas said, it's just one of those movies you have a hard time stopping. It moves. It's always moving with very little stoppage for, um... story. So I don't even know if it's good or bad. I just kinda turn it on and it goes. Two hours later I forgot what I was doing there in the first place.
(However, it is REALLY good when mixed with alcohol.)
Are you kidding me? 5th Element is CLASSIC. How can you not love it? What do you like? Star Wars? Star Gate? Next Generation Star Trek?
Come on. 5th Element is right up there with Johnny Socko and his Giant Robot.
Humor, Babe, Smirks, Things Blowing Up, Political and Religious commentary, Bad Acting... What more do you want in your Sci Fi.
Aw man, I love the Fifth Element. It's fun as hell, and the art direction is freaking wonderful. It's weird and French and crazy and I never get tired of watching it.
John's looking a bit outnumbered here... But all of my friends share his opinion. Tucker is the decider, if you can stand him, then there's lots to enjoy. If you can't, he taints the whole film.
As a teen I read all the French SciFi comics I could get my hands on. Stuff by Moebius/Giraud, Druilliet, Jodorowsky and others. Mostly because they interspersed frank depictions of sex with lurid violence. In these, hard science is replaced by psychedelic metaphysics, and almost everyone looks like they're dressing for a Gay Pride parade. That's just part of the look, I suppose. That's why I enjoyed Fifth Element, it has the look and feel of 70's 'Metal Hurlant' comics.