# For fans of The Fifth Element **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** movies\ **Created:** [May 19, 2022, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-fans-of-the-fifth-element/964718 "2022-05-19T22:41:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2022, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-fans-of-the-fifth-element/964718/41 "2022-05-20T17:57:57Z")
I love it too, and that makes it not a terrible movie. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2022, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-fans-of-the-fifth-element/964718/42 "2022-05-20T18:02:10Z")
“Une bande dessinée” is no more or less than any kind of comics, e.g. _Little Nemo_ or _Tintin_ or _Akira_. See eg [here](https://www.bdtheque.com) ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2022, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-fans-of-the-fifth-element/964718/43 "2022-05-20T18:59:10Z")
Moderating: > [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Did you think that was obvious enough to most people that the acronym would be clear? Hey, it’s fine to use an obscure term where it’s relevant to a thread. And it’s fine to ask what it means. And it’s super to answer politely and clearly. But it becomes a hijack and a bit jerkish to complain about the word and otherwise carry on about it. So please return to discussing the work, want but the vocabulary. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2022, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-fans-of-the-fifth-element/964718/44 "2022-05-20T18:59:36Z")
I’mma buy tickets to see this, and you’d best _believe_ when someone scans my smartphone to let me in, I’m gonna say, “Fifth Element multipass.” ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2022, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-fans-of-the-fifth-element/964718/45 "2022-05-20T19:08:01Z")
Please note that I did not “otherwise carry on about it.” ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2022, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-fans-of-the-fifth-element/964718/46 "2022-05-20T19:14:48Z")
Vaguely on this subject, I will note that Enki Bilal also directed a few of his own films, which also look cool (though the budget was limited) and capture some of that surreal comic-book atmosphere, but did not hang together as well as _The Fifth Element_ for some reason (maybe he is not that experienced at writing for the screen, as opposed to comics). ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2022, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-fans-of-the-fifth-element/964718/47 "2022-05-20T21:42:32Z")
In no sense is The Fifth Element a good movie. It is, in fact, quite a bad movie. But I don’t care, because it’s also an incredibly fun movie. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2022, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-fans-of-the-fifth-element/964718/48 "2022-05-20T21:45:50Z")
I agree it’s a fun movie and one that I enjoy. In my opinion, that makes it a good movie. ---
**Author:** ![Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/face_intentionally_left_blank/32/288_2.png) [@Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Face_Intentionally_Left_Blank)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2022, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-fans-of-the-fifth-element/964718/49 "2022-05-20T22:38:18Z")
I fear I was unclear. I just liked the world, the visuals. I thought its reputation as ‘sucktastic’ was well-known, and I guess I proceeded with that as a given. I see now what I wrote might be regarded as a recommendation of the movie as a whole. If someone likes the visuals of The Fifth Element and wanted more of that, I still hold that Valerian delivers. Enjoy the pretty, the fantastic. If you NEED more than that, don’t go. If you go in expecting more, it’s not my fault. Well, not now, anyway. I didn’t hate Valerian as much as some, but I’m certainly not going to defend it either. I see its faults, and its criticisms are well-earned. Still. . .you know. . .pretty, cool world. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2022, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-fans-of-the-fifth-element/964718/50 "2022-05-20T22:43:49Z")
I did like the opening sequence showing how the International Space Station grew to be a “city of a thousand planets”. ---
**Author:** ![Snooooopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Snooooopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snooooopy)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2022, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-fans-of-the-fifth-element/964718/51 "2022-05-20T22:47:13Z")
I could actually do with a little less Chris Tucker in the movie. Or maybe he would have been OK if they had just ditched that annoying hairstyle where it looked as though he had a paper towel glued to his forehead. Gary Oldman, on the other hand? I would have been happy to watch him going around chewing the scenery for as long as he wanted. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2022, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-fans-of-the-fifth-element/964718/52 "2022-05-20T22:51:03Z")
Personally, I thought that Mila Jovavich was what made the movie. ---
**Author:** ![Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/face_intentionally_left_blank/32/288_2.png) [@Face\_Intentionally\_Left\_Blank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Face_Intentionally_Left_Blank)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2022, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-fans-of-the-fifth-element/964718/53 "2022-05-20T23:14:12Z")
She didn’t hurt it any. ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2022, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-fans-of-the-fifth-element/964718/54 "2022-05-20T23:42:16Z")
My favorite actors, in descending order. Chris Tucker (Ruby Rhod): perfect portrayal of a man who is pure id. The costumes, the hair, the mannerisms, the talking are all essential to showing his indifference to norms. The character isn’t meant to be lovable, but the characterization entertains in a unique way. Milla Jovovich (Leeloo): shows how a skilled actor can work with only facial expressions, body movement, and nonsensical words. She overcomes her character’s limitations to make clear who the character is, with a perfect balance of self confidence and vulnerability. Most difficult role in the movie, and she nails it. Gary Oldman (Zorg): hits all the right notes for a classic evil, corporate overlord. Neither over the top nor bland, he’s frighteningly plausible. I love how he switches from boss to salesman to minion, depending on the scene. Displays the greatest acting range in the movie. Bruce Willis (Korben Dallas): does his thing, being both macho and sensitive. He doesn’t stretch himself here, but complements Milla’s performance very well. Basically, the solid-core role in the movie that allows the other actors to contrast against; he shouldn’t have played it any different. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2022, 10:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-fans-of-the-fifth-element/964718/55 "2022-05-21T10:42:39Z")
> [@ParallelLines](#): > > > [@ExTank](#): > > > > Mul-ti-paaass. > > She knows it’s a multipass! > > (we all see what I meant about quotable) Guess what we call the [EZPass](https://www.driveezmd.com/) for tolls hereabouts?? 😉 I love this movie. I don’t know why - I’ve seen it a gazillion times, it’s not particularly compelling and not really my kind of movie, but I’ll still watch it if I come across it while scrolling on the TV. Same with Demolition Man… I feel dirty just saying that. 😳 ---
**Author:** ![Die\_Capacitrix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/die_capacitrix/32/9_2.png) [@Die\_Capacitrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Die_Capacitrix)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2022, 11:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-fans-of-the-fifth-element/964718/56 "2022-05-21T11:30:30Z")
We have it on DVD or Blu-Ray, I‘m not sure which. A few weeks ago one of the steaming services mentioned it as something we would like, and we took it as a hint to watch it again. It‘s a great romp, and definitely worth watching again. And we‘ll watch again in a few years. Rinse and repeat. But I don’t have any desire to go to a movie theater to watch it - I‘d rather watch it at home. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2022, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-fans-of-the-fifth-element/964718/57 "2022-05-21T15:43:01Z")
> [@FairyChatMom](#): > > Same with Demolition Man… I feel dirty just saying that. 😳 If it makes you feel better, I have a copy of that on DVD as well. But it’s much more of a guilty pleasure than Fifth Element. Still, again, very quoteable, and watching Denis Leary be grunge Denis-of-the-Future along with Snipes eating the scenery is worth the amazingly unbelievability of the rest of the film is fun from time to time. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2022, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-fans-of-the-fifth-element/964718/58 "2022-05-21T18:40:55Z")
I have such a weakness for female action heroes that I absolutely LOVE Tank Girl. And was mad a few years after the fact that I didn’t know about The Long Kiss Goodnight until after it wasn’t in theaters. But this one-- WHAT a female action hero. Plus Bruce Willis being all Bruce Willis-y in the best way. And, holy shit Chris Tucker-- turn down the screech a coupla decibels! So much of the best of action movies plus gorgeous visuals. ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2022, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-fans-of-the-fifth-element/964718/59 "2022-05-23T02:31:17Z")
I’ve seen a few clips of very talented singers trying to sing the full Diva song, including the parts that in the movie were done with post-processing. Some get pretty damn close. It would be absolutely epic and basically the pinnacle of the entire field of cosplay for someone to actually give that performance live in full diva dress/makeup, with another set of people acting out the Leeloo vs baddies fight. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2022, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-fans-of-the-fifth-element/964718/60 "2022-05-23T12:09:36Z")
> [@Biggirl](#): > > I have such a weakness for female action heroes that I absolutely LOVE Tank Girl. The _Tank Girl_ film makes me angry - brilliant performance by Lori Petty, great world building, perfect soundtrack, and they even put in the fucking kangaroos, and then they stuck in a thin and stupid plot (one we’d already seen in “Solarbabies”) and an outright silly villain, resulting in a decidedly tepid film. Could have been _so_ much better if they’d had a little more courage. > [@MaxTheVool](#): > > I’ve seen a few clips of very talented singers trying to sing the full Diva song, including the parts that in the movie were done with post-processing. Some get pretty damn close. [You need Barbara Hannigan](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0Tvj83xqDw). (No, she’s not singing the Diva song - it’s Ligeti - and she hasn’t got all the lowest notes, but this is one of the most insane actual live performances I’ve ever seen). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-fans-of-the-fifth-element/964718.md?page=2)