Review: The Fifth Element

     The Fifth Element is, hands down, my favorite science fiction movie. Upon looking at IMDb, I'm disappointed to see that users have only given the film 7.7 out of 10 stars. That's downright heartbreaking (not bad for IMDb standards, but the equivalent of a C+, it deserves better!). The dialogue is creative, the costumes are imaginative, and the kitsch that the film exudes is an aspect that I adore.
     The movie takes place on Earth, very far into the future. New York City soars even higher into the sky; people drive flying cars above the "fog," underneath which is a forgotten NYC. Gary Oldman plays the villain of the film, named Zorg, sporting an impressive American accent. He works for some mysterious man, and conspires to retrieve four mystical stones, which have the power to destroy an evil force, floating somewhere in space. It's vague, and the villain doesn't seem to have much motivation, but it's enough of a problem (meaning, incipient apocalypse) to motivate Korben Dallas (Bruce Willis) to come out of retirement for one last hoorah. Meanwhile, Leeloo (Milla Jovovich) is cloned from ancient DNA - this "supreme being" has been engineered to save Earth, and she knows where the stones are. Being the kitschy movie that it is, the movie ends happily - Korben and Leeloo save the planet, and fall in love.
     When I watch this movie, I'm not watching for the plot; I just about know it by heart. Instead, I'm taking in the zany costumes and hair colors, I'm relishing the chemistry between Willis and Jovovich, I'm enjoying the playful camera work and the mostly fluid representation of gender. I've seen this movie tons of times, and sure, there is comfort in familiarity, but I never seem to get sick of the kitsch. Leeloo has a moment of crisis as she begins to think saving humans isn't worth it, until Korben starts listing things that are worth saving. "Like love?" Leeloo asks. It's cheesy, but it's heartwarming to the romantic in me. Zorg's temper tantrums, too, are alluring in a way. Zorg is a dangerous man, but not dangerous in the way of Kylo Ren's bumbling, childish fits of rage; he's a cunning villain that knows how, when, and who to strike.
     I could go on for days about The Fifth Element. Sci-fi movies have always intrigued me; the successful combination of the genre with humor and romance only makes me love the movie even more.