The Fifth Element

Delightfully Funny

The first time I saw it, this was one of the funniest movies I had seen in a long time. I wasn't entirely sure if writer/director Luc Besson meant for it to be that way, but it's not easy to believe he didn't. At the very least, Chris Tucker is hilarious as Ruby Rhod. Many people who haven't been able to figure out what this motor-mouth is saying disagree with me on this one, but that's not my problem. Also noteworthy is Milla Jovovich, who is charmingly naïve as an alien. She also provides a wonderful canvas for Jean-Paul Gaultier's costuming.

Repeatability

I've had no problem watching Fifth Element several times. I haven't been discovering wonderful extra levels of detail, but it's still an enjoyable ride.

Dance!

Eric Serra has given the movie a score that pulsates with energy. Several scenes have tracks that could hold their own in dance clubs. He also favors a style that I can't put my finger on, but I'll guess to be Egyptian, given the setting of the opening. The exotic quality is great for the mood.

Nitpicking

• I'm very disappointed that with all the progress that the movie foresees in the next two-hundred years, we'll still be using QWERTY keyboards.
• As the evil planet approaches earth, there is a dramatic shot with the sun setting on the horizon. A shadow, presumably from the evil planet, creeps in from the bottom of the frame. What light source is behind the planet to create such a shadow when it clearly isn't the sun?