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The Fifth Element

(1997, Rated PG-13, Science fiction, Starring Milla Jovovich, Gary Oldman, Bruce Willis)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 13, age appropriate for kids over 15; suggested age 14.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Stylish and very violent sci-fi action flick.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 14–15

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Korben Dallas, although at first reluctant, becomes extremely committed to saving humanity. Zorg is out to destroy it.
  • Violence:

    Most of the violence is of the science fiction variety, but it's prevalent.
  • Sex:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    The futuristic world here is hyper-commercialized, and there are numerous product placements.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Characters smoke and drink.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The Fifth Element

Parents need to know that this 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.

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Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the idea of commercialism run rampant. The characters 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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Most Recent Reviews

  1. I rate this title off for age 15 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Excessive consumerism
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message

    Quite violent and sexual. Only for mature teens.

  2. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Missouri
    I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it 5.0

  3. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Vermont
    I rate this title iffy for age 17 and give it 4.0

    Fun, dumb movie

    The big surprise here is how often Milla's breasts were put on display in a PG-13 movie. Sure, cleavage and underboob are to be expected, but she takes it all off--once briefly, once a bit blurry, and only once out of frame. The movie itself? It's part parody, part satire--Terry Gilliam's Brazil if Terry Gilliam had just watched Die Hard 1 through 3 the eighty-second time. There's really two movies here, and it can't decide which one it wants to be more... so it splits right down the middle. It's both! Also, a lot of the violence is bloody--but with funny colors, so that's supposed to be okay. A lot of the characters show the consequences of violence... I mean, watch Milla get shot and moan, and it twists your stomach. Weak acting or not. Luc Besson is one of the most stylish light-weight directors out there, and it really shows. This movie wants to be more, and that really helps push past the comedy and put a little bit of depth into it... even though it's still a movie about 'ultimate evil' versus 'the pure light,' and love does conquer all in the end.

  4. Teen Reviewer Age 17
    Lives in Minnesota
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 5.0

    Great!

    I love this movie, and it's great fun to watch. There's minor sexual content, mostly a girl changing while two people stand in front of her (this happens a few time, and is played for jokes). A fair amount of language, but I don't even think they drop the f-bomb at all. It's really not all that violent either.

  5. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it 5.0

    One of the best movies

    A lot of intense action and violence but idea and final outcome - sacrifice - is worth watching movie.

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