The Fifth Element is one of those perfect movies that combines Sci-Fi, action, humor, and just a little bit of romance.

The movie is about ex-military Korben Dallas (Bruce Willis), turned taxi driver who is dragged back into service in order to “save the world”.

An evil race known as the Mangelores is in league with the ultimate evil (shown to us as a great expanding ball of darkness) and a Mr. Zorg (Gary Oldman) who wish not only to take over the planet but to destroy it completely. The only weapon that can defeat this deadly trifecta is the Fifth Element.

Little does Dallas, nor much of anyone else, know that the Fifth Element comes in the form of a beautiful young woman named Leeloo (Milla Jovavich). Dallas is introduced to Leeloo when she falls through the roof of his cab. She insists that she be taken to see a priest. Dallas delivers her to Father Cornelius (Ian Holm), who immediately recognizes her for what she is. Cornelius attempts to protect and guide Leeloo, but she has a mind of her own and has her own plans for how things should go. Through a comedy of errors she ends up back in Dallas’s company where he soon learns that in order to save the world he must not only protect this young woman, but protect her heart as well.

All of the actors in this film do a wonderful job, but Willis really makes the story. His easy going manner and light sense of humor that has served him so well and become his trademark is evidenced throughout the film. A nice surprise is provided by Chris Tucker who plays fast talking Ruby Rhod. It is hard not to laugh outright at his antics. Oldman once again proves what a chameleon he is by playing a shady arms dealer with a thick southern accent. Jovavich is the weak link in the cast, but is still quite charming.

The special effects in this are a little off. In one scene it is easy to see where Jovavich is going to punch a hole in the glass. Also there are a few problems with continuity (Willis walks into one room with a torn up shirt, yet out of the next with it perfectly intact). Yet it is easy to overlook these minor glitches if you let yourself become immersed in the movie and sit back and enjoy it.

I would recommend this movie to anyone looking for a fun, fast-moving movie that is sure to entertain but not necessarily be a deep intellectual film.

“The Fifth Element” is rated PG-13 for intense sci-fi violence, some sexuality and brief nudity

This DVD was purchased by me with my own funds.