THE FIFTH ELEMENT (1997)

MORGAN'S GRADE

A   B   C   D   F

Two hundred and fifty years into the future, life as we know it is threatened by the arrival of Evil. Only the fifth element can stop the Evil from extinguishing life, as it tries to do every five thousand years. She is helped by an ex-soldier, current-cabdriver, Corben Dallas, who is, in turn, helped by Ruby Rhod. Unfortunately, Evil is being assisted by Mr. Zorg, who seeks to profit from the chaos that Evil will bring, and his alien mercenaries.

Bruce Willis (Major Korben Dallas), Gary Oldman (Jean-Baptiste Emmanuel Zorg), Ian Holm (Priest Vito Cornelius), Milla Jovovich (Leeloo), Chris Tucker (Ruby Rhod), Luke Perry (Billy), Brion James (General Munro), Tom 'Tiny' Lister Jr. (President Lindberg), Lee Evans (Fog), Charlie Creed-Miles (David), Tricky (Right Arm), John Neville (General Staedert), John Bluthal (Professor Pacoli), Mathieu Kassovitz (Mugger), Christopher Fairbank (Prof. Mactilburgh), Kim Chan (Thai), Richard Leaf (Neighbour), Julie T. Wallace (Major Iceborg), Al Matthews (General Tudor), George Khan (Head Scientist), Lenny McLean (Police Chief).

250 YEARS IN THE FUTURE, ALL WILL BE LOST UNLESS THE FIFTH ELEMENT IS FOUND.

PRODUCTION INFORMATION

DIRECTOR: Luc Besson. WRITERS: Luc Besson and Robert Mark Kamen. PRODUCER: Patrice Ledoux. ASSOCIATE PRODUCER: John Alan Amicarella. CO-PRODUCER: Iain Smith. ORIGINAL MUSIC: Eric Serra. DISTRIBUTOR: Columbia Pictures.

QUOTES

[Father Cornelius confides in a bartender.] Father Cornelius: I know she's made to be strong, but she's also so fragile, so human. Do you understand what I'm saying? [Robot bartender shakes its head.]

FACTS

RELEASE DATE: May 9th, 1997 (USA) BOX OFFICE OPENING: $17.0 million (USA) BOX OFFICE RESULT: $63.5 million (USA) BUDGET: $90 million (USA) - The language spoken by Leeloo was invented by director Luc Besson and further refined by Milla Jovovich. By the end of filming they were able to have full conversations in this language. - Ruby Rhod was not the original name for Chris Tucker's character, it was Loc Rhod. This name appears in the script and movie novelization. - The explosion in the Fhloston main hall was the largest indoor explosion ever filmed. The resulting fire almost got beyond control. - When Korben Dallas wakes up, the date can just be seen on his bedroom wall: March 18th, 2263, a reference to director Besson's March 18th birthday. - In the future New York City, Central Park is the same size as the real one and is in the same place-- but a hundred feet in the air. - Nominated for one Academy Award for Best Sound Effects Editing. - Nominated for two 1998 Razzie Awards for Worst New Star and Worst Supporting Actress.

Ruby: What the hell are you screamin' for? Every thirty seconds there's a bomb or somethin' I'm leavin! Bzzzz!

Mr. Kim: You got a message. Korben: Yeah? Mr. Kim: You're not going to open it? It might be important. Korben: Yeah, like the last two I got were important. The first one was from my wife, telling me she was leaving. The second was from my lawyer, telling me he was leaving---with my wife. Mr. Kim: Ah, that's bad luck. Grandfather say it not rain everyday. This is good news, guarenteed. I bet your lunch. Korben: Okay, you're on. Mr. Kim: Come on...[reads.] You are fired! Oh. Korben: Well, at least I won lunch. Mr. Kim: Good philosophy, see good in bad, I like.

Father Cornelius: What are you doing? Korben: Trying to save your ass so you can save the world.

Zorg: Life, which you so nobly serve, comes from destruction, disorder, and chaos.

Leeloo: Leeloo Dallas mul-ti-pass. Mul-ti-pass. Korben: Yeah, this is my wife, Leeloo. Leeloo: Mul-ti-pass. Korben: Newlywed, just married. Leeloo: Mul-ti-pass. Korben: Yes, she knows it's a multipass! Anyways, we're in love.

CRITICAL COMMENTS

"Wildly imaginative tale...a visual candy store of futuristic images, but the film's strongest suit is its sense of humor. Unfortunately, it gets a bit tedious and formulaic toward the end, with Tucker's over-the-top radio host hogging the spotlight." -- Leonard Maltin

Leeloo: Everything you create, you use to destroy. Korben: Yeah, we call it human nature.

"This film is primed to explode. This is the ride." -- Entertainment Weekly

David: Father, are you sure she's a supreme being?

"The movie is a triumph of technical credits...for that I am grateful. I would not have missed seeing this film, and I recommend it for its richness of imagery. But at 127 minutes, which seems a reasonable length, it plays long." -- Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun Times

Head Scientist: Anticipation denotes intelligence.

Police: Are you classified as human? Dallas: No, I am a meat popsicle.

Leeloo: Me fifth element -- supreme being. Me protect you.

"This movie ensures that your eyes are always thrilled, tickled or engaged." -- Desson Howe, Washington Post

Leeloo: I do not know love. I was trained to protect, not to love.

Father Cornelius: Evil begets evil. Shooting it only makes it stronger.

"A spectacular triumph of style over substance." -- Rita Kempley, Washington Post

Ruby Rhod: And now we enter what must be the most beautiful concert hall of all the universe! A perfect replica of the old opera house!...But who cares?

"I will give Besson some credit. He never takes things too seriously, which is a good idea." -- James Berardinelli