On the one hand, I think Chris Tucker gets away with being screechy and annoying because the character is supposed to be screechy and annoying. On the other hand, Tucker is screechy and annoying in everything, and is the main reason I can’t believe they made all those *Rush Hour *movies.
Tucker’s Ruby Rhod persona, and the surreality of him being widely considered a sex symbol arousing to stewardesses, Japanese schoolgirls and hotel bellgirls, only enriches the sheer nuttiness of the film.
I thought Finger sounded like Ice-T.
Don’t ban me, but I liked Tucker’s character too. 
I heard a story that he would kill many hours on set by entertaining the extras (like in the Diva Performance scene) when they were waiting to start. He basically made the entire set a lot more fun rather than sitting in a trailer waiting.
I agree.
BTW, did anyone else find it weird that he was doing a live radio broadcast that was being heard on Earth, while on a planet far enough away that it required FTL travel to get to? Basically, there are elements of the film that are best not thought about too much.
Well, heck, why was it a big deal for Zorg to get his henchman to impersonate Dallas to sneak aboard the liner to get to Phloston when Zorg already had a ship capable of making the voyage?
He had to stay home and wait for Mr. Shadow’s phone call. One does not send Mr. Shadow to voicemail.
Yes I noted that, but then the abuse of basic physics is pretty significant throughout.
My favorite one is the 1200 mile diameter evil planet that stops 62 miles from Earth. That’s actually inside the atmosphere. Magic love ray notwithstanding, that might have a leeeetle effect on Earth and its inhabitants even without a direct impact.
Tom Sizemore maybe?
I always wondered who did the voice for Korben Dallas’ mother. Anyone know? (I don’t think the actress was identified in the credits.)
Korben’s mother is probably Jill Mullan, but neither she, Finger, or Mr. Shadow have been identified, it seems. From the FAQ on IMDb:
And let me just add how disappointed I was that the Fifth Element had nothing to do with boron.
Oops! :smack:
Like I said the movie was just too silly overall for my taste. When I watched it for the first time, the opening scene of the aliens appearing in Egypt around 1900 or so actually impressed me. It made me think the movie wasn’t going to be what I thought it was. But it was pretty much downhill from there. It’s not a bad movie, I just think Chris Tucker should have dialed it back a notch. Ever since Robin Williams made ‘stream-of-consciousness-comedy’ a legitimate thing it’s gotten worse & worse. Quantity isn’t a substitute for quality…
Heck, didn’t they say at one point that the Great Evil comes to Earth every 5000 years? If so, this would be its, what, nine-hundred-thousandth visit?
The best thing about Ruby Rhod was that he kept up his radio show during the entire attack & escape. Up to and including his sign off after they got off the hotel - “That’s the best show I ever did.” It’s easy to dismiss his character, but he was damn dedicated to his job.
I agree with…waitaminit…He got banned? Nevermind.
I dunno, this movie for the most part never took itself seriously-and I loved what Milla Jovovich did with the role.
I’m in the pro-Ruby camp also. Consider that Ruby just may be a satire of the shrill screeching damsel formula (e.g. Kate Capshaw in Temple of Doom) and it all makes brilliant Oscar-worthy sense.
Yeah, he’s great. Most actioners take themselves too seriously.
Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzt! SUPER GREEN.
Another in the pro-Ruby camp.
Look: Corben Dallas is who we’d imagine we’d be if stuck in a situation like that, but Ruby is who we’re afraid we’d be in that situation. 
(And, I’ll admit, I’d be closer to the Ruby end of the spectrum, most likely.)