The Fifth Element

Details

Luc Besson takes a sharp turn from gritty thrillers and delivers a full-blown operatic sci-fi spectacle bursting with colour, energy and imagination. The year is 2257 and evil itself - literally a vast cosmic force - is heading toward Earth. Standing in its way are four ancient elemental stones and the mysterious Fifth Element, embodied in the orange-haired, multi-lingual and supremely bewildered LeeLoo.

Enter Korben Dallas - ex-special forces, now taxi driver, still wearing that trademark blood-stained white vest. From the moment LeeLoo crashes through the roof of his flying cab, the film never really slows down. The plot, admittedly, is simple - retrieve the stones, stop Zorg, save the world - but it's merely a framework for one of the most visually distinctive science fiction films of the decade.

Gary Oldman's Zorg is gloriously unhinged, chewing scenery with corporate menace and bizarre hair choices. Ian Holm provides warmth and humour as Cornelius, while Bruce Willis plays Korben with his usual dry, world-weary charm. But it's Milla Jovovich who gives the film its heart. LeeLoo is not just a plot device - she is innocence discovering humanity, and her emotional awakening provides the film's surprisingly sincere core.

Then there's Ruby Rhod. Chris Tucker's hyperactive, high-pitched media personality divides opinion - and yes, he is deliberately over the top. But in a world this flamboyant, subtlety would feel out of place. Love him or want to mute him, he certainly leaves an impression.

The stand-out sequence remains the opera performance aboard Fhloston Paradise. The Diva's aria, intercut with LeeLoo's balletic combat, is nothing short of spectacular - a perfect marriage of sound, editing and action. It's one of those moments where you realise you're watching something genuinely unique.

Picture & Sound

This is reference-quality material for DVD. The colour palette alone - bold oranges, electric blues, neon yellows - is handled beautifully in the widescreen transfer. Detail is strong throughout, and the production design absolutely shines. Jean-Paul Gaultier's costumes and the layered futuristic cityscapes remain a visual feast.

The Dolby Digital soundtrack is equally impressive. Surround channels are constantly active with traffic flying overhead, ambient city noise and explosive action sequences. The Diva scene in particular is an audio showcase, seamlessly blending operatic vocals with punchy action effects. If you own a surround system, this film earns its keep within the first fifteen minutes.

Menu & Extras

The menu system is animated and colourful, though navigation can feel slightly clumsy. Background clips from the film help maintain the atmosphere, even if the buttons themselves are a little dated in appearance.

The Region 2 disc includes a fun Easter Egg. From the main menu, highlight (but do not select) the 'Chapters' icon, press down so the highlight disappears, then press Enter. From the still image that appears, press left, right, up and down in sequence to reveal a widescreen Dolby Digital trailer. A nice little bonus for those who enjoy hunting.

Overall

The Fifth Element may not have the most complex plot in science fiction history (it is rather weak really), but that hardly matters. It is bold, eccentric, visually extravagant and unapologetically different. In an era crowded with darker, more grounded sci-fi, this film dared to be colourful, playful and operatic.

It remains one of the most distinctive genre films of the 1990s - a glorious mix of action, humour, romance and spectacle. If ever there was a film that justified upgrading to DVD in the early days of the format, this was it.

Special features

• Original Theatrical Trailer
• Featurette
• Cast and Crew Biographies
• Easter Egg