The Fifth Element - PG-13

Violent stylish sci-fi action flick. Did we mention violent?

Rating: PG-13 for intense sci-fi violence, some sexuality and brief nudity Studio: Columbia Pictures Entertainment Directed By: Luc Besson Cast: Milla Jovovich, Gary Oldman, Bruce Willis Running Time: 126 minutes Release Date: 05/09/1997 Genre: Science Fiction

Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that THE FIFTH ELEMENT is a highly stylized, science-fiction action movie. As such, it features a lot of violence and explosions. Characters drink, smoke, have sex, evade arrest, drive recklessly, wear revealing costumes, curse and kill one another. The futuristic world depicted is hyper-commercial, and the film is often obsessed with consumer practices. The space cruise that Leloo and Korben Dallas take is sponsored by a radio contest, and true to form, the cruise is littered with advertisements.

Families that watch this film can discuss the idea of commercialism run rampant. The characters in THE FIFTH ELEMENT are constantly inundated with advertisements and sales pitches. How realistic is this depiction? Does this future world have any relation to our immediate one? Characters' actions also provide fodder for discussion. Zorg is an evil mastermind who runs a company – his motivations are primarily wealth and power. How does Korben Dallas embody a foil of Zorg? What motivates his dedication to the mission?

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Carly Kocurek

THE FIFTH ELEMENT is the story of Korben Dallas (Bruce Willis) a retired soldier turned cabby who is given the task to protect the universe from Evil. Evil is apparently somewhat relentless and tries to destroy life as we know it every 5,000 years. The only thing stopping it is the "Fifth Element," which takes the form of a hot androgynous babe named Leloo (Milla Jovovich). The film's bad guy is Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg (Gary Oldman), a power-hungry corporation owner whose ill temper is echoed by his horrendous hairstyle and Hitler mustache.

Not every film has to have brilliant dialogue and a well-crafted plot. A few films manage to be a whole lot of fun based solely on excellent cinematic execution. THE FIFTH ELEMENT is just such a film. In creating his futuristic vision, director Luc Besson had the work of French comic-book artists Jean Giraud and Jean-Claude Mézières. These influences are quite clear, as the film is filled with bright colors and visual overload. Both artists are credited as designers. A further contributor to Besson's stylized future is designer Jean-Paul Gaultier who designed the film's fantastical costumes.

The acting in this film is fine, though it's largely secondary to the amazing visuals. The movie is, first and foremost, fun to look at. Bruce Willis plays the reluctant hero quite well, and Milla Jovovich's chattering in an ancient tongue is rather impressive. Gary Oldman manages to be absolutely vile.

For families with older teens, the film could be easy popcorn entertainment, though there is quite a bit of violence and some brief sexual content. Viewers who enjoy THE FIFTH ELEMENT might enjoy Luc Besson's other films, like Femme (1990) or other visually-interesting Bruce Willis movies like Twelve Monkeys (1995) and Sin City (2005).

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Content		CS	adults	kids
Content
Sexual Content
Violence Most of the violence is of the science fiction variety, but it's prevalent.
Language
Message
	Social Behavior Korben Dallas, although at first reluctant, becomes extremely committed to saving humanity. Zorg is out to destroy it.
	Commercialism The futuristic world here is hyper-commercialized, and there are numerous product placements.
	Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco Characters smoke and drink.