Reviews: The Fifth Element (1997) Movie Review / Ending Explained / FAQs
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This in-depth review of The Fifth Element (1997) explores its story, characters, and scares in detail, offering insights for every horror fan.
The Fifth Element (1997) – A Visually Explosive Sci-Fi Cult Classic That Blends Action, Humor, and Heart
The Fifth Element (1997), directed by Luc Besson, stands tall as one of the most vibrant and stylistically unique sci-fi films of the 90s. Known for its bold visuals, eccentric characters, and futuristic world-building, this space opera brings together a mix of high-energy action, quirky humor, and a surprisingly heartfelt message about love being the ultimate key to salvation.
With its larger-than-life aesthetic and genre-blending approach, The Fifth Element continues to captivate fans and remains a cult classic in science fiction cinema, offering an experience that is as fun as it is unforgettable.
Plot, Themes, and Character Development
The story is set in the 23rd century, where Earth faces annihilation by a malevolent cosmic force known simply as the Great Evil. Ancient prophecy reveals that only the combined power of four elemental stones and a mysterious fifth element can stop this ultimate destruction.
Enter Korben Dallas (Bruce Willis), a former special forces major turned cab driver, who accidentally becomes entangled in the mission to save humanity when Leeloo (Milla Jovovich), the embodiment of the Fifth Element, literally crashes into his life. Together, they must locate the elemental stones and stop the ruthless arms dealer Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg (Gary Oldman), whose greed plays directly into the hands of the dark force threatening the galaxy.
Throughout their journey, they are joined by the eccentric opera diva Plavalaguna, the flamboyant radio host Ruby Rhod (Chris Tucker), and a host of bizarre alien species, all set against the sprawling neon-lit backdrop of a future Earth.
Key Themes Explored:
Love as the ultimate power and salvation
Greed, corruption, and the consequences of unchecked ambition
The struggle between good and evil across the universe
Humanity’s reliance on technology and the loss of spiritual connection
Hope, sacrifice, and destiny
The movie uses its science fiction framework to deliver a surprisingly tender core message: love is the fifth element, the force that binds all life together.
Acting and Cinematography
Bruce Willis brings his signature blend of rugged action hero charm and reluctant savior attitude to Korben Dallas, while Milla Jovovich delivers a standout performance as Leeloo, combining innocence, physical prowess, and emotional depth.
Gary Oldman steals scenes as Zorg, playing the villain with a twisted mix of menace and absurdity, making him one of the most memorable sci-fi antagonists. Meanwhile, Chris Tucker’s Ruby Rhod adds a wild dose of over-the-top energy that perfectly complements the film’s offbeat tone.
The film’s cinematography and production design, led by Thierry Arbogast and inspired by French comic artists like Moebius and Jean-Claude Mézières, create a color-drenched, hyper-stylized vision of the future. From the crowded, vertical streets of New York to the luxurious cruise spaceship Fhloston Paradise, every frame is packed with creative detail and eye-popping color.
The costume designs by Jean-Paul Gaultier further enhance the movie’s distinct visual identity, making the characters as memorable as the settings they inhabit.
Directing Style, Strengths, and Weaknesses
Luc Besson approaches The Fifth Element with a clear love for comic book aesthetics, fast-paced action, and absurd humor, resulting in a film that doesn’t take itself too seriously while still delivering impactful moments.
The movie’s strength lies in its world-building, visual creativity, and character-driven charm, though its quirky tone and flamboyant style may not appeal to everyone. Some viewers may find the plot’s simplicity overshadowed by its visual spectacle, but for fans of colorful, chaotic sci-fi, this is part of the film’s enduring appeal.
Strengths:
Striking visual style and imaginative world-building
Engaging performances from Bruce Willis, Milla Jovovich, and Gary Oldman
Memorable supporting characters, especially Chris Tucker’s Ruby Rhod
Blends action, comedy, and romance effectively
Timeless cult classic status with broad fan appeal
Weaknesses:
Plot leans on familiar “hero’s journey” tropes
Over-the-top performances may feel jarring to some audiences
Occasional tonal imbalance between serious moments and comedic relief
Villain’s motivations could feel underexplored for some viewers
Final Verdict & Score: 8/10
The Fifth Element (1997) remains a bold, colorful, and unapologetically eccentric sci-fi adventure that continues to stand out in a genre often dominated by darker, more serious entries. With its mix of action, humor, and heartfelt themes, it offers a unique cinematic experience that embraces its weirdness while delivering genuine emotion.
Whether you’re here for the wild visuals, iconic characters, or the feel-good message about love conquering all, The Fifth Element holds its place as a must-watch sci-fi cult classic.
Who will enjoy it:
Fans of retro-futuristic sci-fi and action-packed space adventures
Viewers who appreciate genre-blending films with humor and heart
Audiences looking for imaginative world-building and visual spectacle
Those who enjoy eccentric characters and over-the-top performances
Who might be disappointed:
Viewers seeking serious, gritty science fiction narratives
Those preferring tight, plot-driven storytelling over visual creativity
Audiences not drawn to flamboyant, exaggerated character portrayals
Fans expecting conventional villain arcs or traditional sci-fi tone
The Fifth Element (1997) – Most Searched FAQs and Ending Explained
Is The Fifth Element (1997) based on a book or comic?
No, The Fifth Element (1997) is not directly based on a book or comic, but its visual style and world-building are heavily influenced by European sci-fi comics such as the works of Moebius (Jean Giraud) and Jean-Claude Mézières. Director Luc Besson originally conceived the story as a teenager, inspired by the vibrant, futuristic aesthetics of French graphic novels. The film stands as an original screenplay, though its comic book roots are clearly reflected in its colorful design and exaggerated characters.
Who is the Fifth Element in The Fifth Element (1997)?
Minor Spoiler:
The Fifth Element is revealed to be Leeloo (Milla Jovovich) herself. Described as the "Supreme Being", Leeloo is the physical embodiment of the mysterious Fifth Element, meant to unite with the four elemental stones—earth, air, fire, and water—to stop the Great Evil, a cosmic force bent on destroying life. While the stones represent nature’s basic forces, Leeloo represents life, love, and the ultimate power of unity.
What is the Great Evil in The Fifth Element?
The Great Evil, also referred to as Mr. Shadow, is a massive ball of dark energy that approaches Earth every 5,000 years to wipe out all life. Unlike traditional villains, the Great Evil is not a person but a sentient, destructive force that influences human greed and hatred. The Great Evil manipulates Zorg (Gary Oldman) into assisting its mission, representing how human ambition can be twisted toward destruction.
Why does Zorg work with the Great Evil in The Fifth Element?
Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg is portrayed as a corporate arms dealer whose lust for power and wealth blinds him to the catastrophic consequences of his actions. Under the influence of Mr. Shadow, Zorg believes that chaos creates opportunity and that destruction will benefit his business. His alignment with the Great Evil showcases the theme of greed and moral corruption, serving as a human face to the cosmic threat.
What language does Leeloo speak in The Fifth Element?
Leeloo speaks The Divine Language, a fictional constructed language created specifically for the film. Director Luc Besson and Milla Jovovich collaborated to design around 400 words for this language, making it sound unique and alien. Jovovich practiced the language intensively, contributing to the authenticity of Leeloo’s otherworldly presence.
Why is The Fifth Element considered a cult classic?
Over time, The Fifth Element gained cult classic status due to its:
Unique and colorful world-building
Memorable performances, especially from Milla Jovovich, Bruce Willis, and Gary Oldman
Eccentric characters like Ruby Rhod (Chris Tucker)
Stylish costume designs by Jean-Paul Gaultier
Blend of action, humor, sci-fi, and heartfelt emotion
Its unapologetically bold visuals and genre-bending approach helped it stand apart from more conventional science fiction films, earning a dedicated fanbase.
What is the significance of love in The Fifth Element?
The central theme of love as the ultimate force runs throughout the film. While the four elemental stones represent the basic forces of nature, Leeloo (the Fifth Element) cannot activate her true power until she experiences and understands human love. This emotional revelation becomes the key to defeating the Great Evil, reinforcing the message that love, compassion, and unity are stronger than hatred and destruction.
The Fifth Element (1997) – Ending Explained
Major Spoiler Below
In the climactic final act, Korben Dallas, Leeloo, Ruby Rhod, and Father Vito Cornelius reach the ancient Egyptian temple where the four elemental stones must be activated to stop the Great Evil from annihilating Earth.
As they scramble to figure out how to unlock the stones’ power, they discover that each stone responds to its respective element:
Water: activated by pouring water on the stone.
Fire: ignited by lighting a flame near the stone.
Earth: triggered by placing dust or sand on it.
Air: activated by blowing across the stone.
However, the Fifth Element—Leeloo herself—refuses to release her full power because of her despair after witnessing the violent history of humankind. She questions if life is worth saving when humanity has shown such a capacity for war and cruelty.
At this pivotal moment, Korben confesses his love for Leeloo, assuring her that love is worth fighting for. With this declaration, Leeloo accepts her role, releasing a powerful beam of pure energy that combines with the elemental forces and neutralizes the Great Evil, saving the planet from destruction.
The film ends with a brief epilogue of Leeloo and Korben together in a healing chamber, symbolizing both physical and emotional restoration. Their union confirms the message that love, not violence, is the true force that protects and unites all life.
Key Ending Takeaways:
Love is the Fifth Element, representing life’s true binding force.
The elemental stones require human interaction, symbolizing the partnership between humanity and nature.
Leeloo’s emotional journey from despair to hope is central to the film’s resolution.
The Great Evil is defeated not through war but through compassion and emotional connection.
Sources Used to Shape This Review
Insights in this review are drawn from director interviews, fan commentary, production notes, and long-form breakdowns across genre-specific platforms. Content is written uniquely and reviewed for accuracy.
- The Fifth Element Rating Scores
- Our Score: 8/10
- Overall Score: 7.13/10
- IMDB: 7.6/10
- MetaCritic: 5.2/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 7.2/10
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