“I don’t like warriors. Too narrow-minded, no subtlety. And worse, they fight for hopeless causes”
The Fifth Element has always felt like a movie that dares to be different. From the first moments, it pulls viewers into a wild and colorful world.
The mix of humor, action, and emotion makes it stand out from most sci-fi films.
I remember watching it for the first time and being amazed by its energy and bold style. Even today, it feels fresh and imaginative.
In this review, I share why The Fifth Element still captures attention and continues to be talked about years later.
Plot Overview: Why The Fifth Element is Worth Watching?
The Fifth Element throws a regular cab driver into an extraordinary cosmic crisis that’s way bigger than his daily route through flying traffic.
The setup is wonderfully absurd yet somehow compelling: 23rd-century New York meets ancient prophecy meets intergalactic threat. But this isn’t your typical save-the-world story.
What makes this worth watching is how the film refuses to choose between spectacle and substance. The breakneck pacing never sacrifices character development for action sequences.
Bruce Willis and Milla Jovovich create genuine chemistry that grounds the wild visuals and over-the-top performances happening around them.
Even though I felt the plot gets messy in places, it’s visually beautiful and refreshingly weird in ways Hollywood blockbusters rarely attempt anymore.
Character List
The Fifth Element features memorable characters, from quirky heroes to villains, set in a futuristic world.
- Bruce Willis (Korben Dallas): A former soldier turned taxi driver who becomes humanity’s unlikely hero.
- Milla Jovovich (Leeloo): A powerful and mysterious being known as the Fifth Element, created to save life itself.
- Gary Oldman (Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg): A greedy businessman and stylish villain working with dark forces.
- Ian Holm (Cornelius): A devoted priest who understands the prophecy of the Fifth Element.
- Chris Tucker (Ruby Rhod): A loud, energetic radio host who adds comedy and chaos to the story.
- Brion James (General Munro): A military officer who reconnects with Korben during the mission to save Earth.
- Tommy Lister Jr. (President Lindberg): The determined but often overwhelmed leader of Earth’s government.
- Maïwenn Le Besco (Diva Plavalaguna): An alien opera singer whose performance becomes one of the film’s most iconic moments.
- Tricky (Right Arm): Zorg’s nervous and loyal assistant who gets caught in his schemes.
- Charlie Creed-Miles (David): Cornelius’s young apprentice who helps with the sacred mission.
The Fifth Element Review and Rating
An extravagant futuristic romp that pushes boundaries with its unique aesthetic and over-the-top energy.
1. IMDb User Rating
The Fifth Element holds a 7.6/10 on IMDb from over 535,000 votes, showing strong audience love even decades later. Viewers praise its imaginative world, Bruce Willis’s performance, and visuals that still impress. Many note that it gets better with each rewatch as new details stand out.
2. Rotten Tomatoes
On Rotten Tomatoes, the film scores 71% fresh. Critics praised its bold visuals and Jean-Paul Gaultier’s creative costumes, saying style makes up for story confusion. Some found it messy, while others enjoyed its chaotic vibe.
3. Metacritic Aggregate Score
Metacritic gives it 52/100 from critics, calling it divisive but daring. Some struggled with its mix of action and comedy, but audiences rated it higher at 8.1/10 for its fun and unique personality.
4. Roger Ebert’s Perspective
Roger Ebert gave it 3 out of 4 stars, admiring its imagination and world-building while finding the plot uneven. He praised Gary Oldman’s wild performance and the film’s groundbreaking 1997 effects
5. Empire Magazine Assessment
Empire rated it 4/5 stars, calling it a bold and joyful sci-fi adventure. The review praised its colorful design, energetic cast, and lasting influence on visually creative sci-fi movies.
How The Fifth Element Left Its Mark on Me
When I think about The Fifth Element, I don’t just see it as a movie; I see it as an experience. The colors, the sounds, the details in the background, they all make the world feel alive.
It’s one of those rare sci-fi films that can make you laugh, think, and just enjoy the ride at the same time.
Leeloo remains one of my favorite sci-fi characters ever created. There’s something pure and emotional about her.
Her innocence and strength balance the movie’s loud and chaotic moments. Bruce Willis gives the film its calm center, while Gary Oldman and Chris Tucker bring the kind of energy that keeps you watching with a smile.
If I had to rate it, I’d give it a strong 9/10. Not because it’s perfect, but because it’s unforgettable. Few movies dare to be this creative, and even fewer pull it off so well.
The Fifth Element might not be for everyone, but for those who love colorful, bold, and emotional sci-fi, it’s one of the best rides cinema has to offer.
Filming Locations and Behind-the-Scenes Insights
Image Source: Forbes
The Fifth Element was primarily filmed at Pinewood Studios in England, where elaborate sets brought Luc Besson’s futuristic vision to life practically.
The production team built massive sets, including the flying taxi sequences and detailed New York street scenes that required months of construction.
Besson worked with French comic book artists Jean Giraud and Jean-Claude Mézières to design the film’s distinctive visual style years before cameras rolled.
Milla Jovovich learned an invented language created specifically for her character, speaking it so convincingly that audiences believed it was real.
These creative risks and hands-on techniques are what give the movie its lasting impact that CGI-heavy films often miss.
Awards and Nominations
| Award Category | Organization | Result | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Sound Effects Editing | Academy Awards | Won | 1998 |
| Best Sound | BAFTA Awards | ||
| Best Costume Design | Nominated | 1998 | |
| Best Production Design | |||
| Best Special Visual Effects | |||
| Best Cinematography | César Awards | Won | 1998 |
| Best Director | |||
| Best Music | |||
| Best Production Design | |||
| Best Editing | Nominated | 1998 | |
| Best International Film | Saturn Awards | ||
| Best Costume |
Audience Reactions: What Viewers are Saying
Many fans give the Fifth Element review, describing Milla Jovovich’s character, Leeloo, as more than just a sci-fi heroine; she embodies the essence of life. As one viewer explains,
“Leeloo isn’t just another character; she represents spirit, purity, and love in human form.”
Another fan adds,
“The movie beautifully blends action with philosophy. Leeloo is the fifth element because she completes the balance of nature through emotion.”
While some hoped for a remake, many agree there’s no need to redo perfection, since the 1997 original remains timeless in message and imagination.
To Conclude
The Fifth Element remains a rare kind of science-fiction film, one that values imagination as much as spectacle.
Luc Besson’s world of flying taxis, neon cities, and larger-than-life characters reminds viewers that storytelling can be fun, daring, and emotional all at once.
Every rewatch reveals something new, proving that creativity never truly ages.
For anyone who loves sci-fi with personality and purpose, The Fifth Element continues to stand tall, not just as a film from the past, but as a lasting celebration of cinematic imagination.
