I gave serious thought to putting off writing up this movie, until I had a chance to see it again.
It’s a Luc Besson film — I generally love his stuff.
It’s got Bruce Willis in it — hard to go wrong with him most of the time. It’s got Gary Oldman, who is always great, and Milla Jovovich who always plays kind of weird characters that usually work.
This, though, is a strange movie. I thought I was the last person on the planet to see this. It’s one of those films that just about everyone can and does make a passing reference to — except me, apparently. So, when I found out that it was LEGALLY online (here), I decided it was time to watch it.
Yikes.
Not really sure what to make of it. It’s a movie about saving mankind, about salvation. Something bad from out space, and a gun crew of aliens is suppose to come, along with the Fifth Element (actually Jovovich), to fire off a weapon to destroy the attackers. We’re to believe that this has been going on for thousands of years.
Jovovich’s Leeloo, in seeing humanity of the 23rd century, isn’t really sure they’re worth saving. For all the hatred, all the war, it’s indeed difficult to see what in mankind has a redeeming value. She finds that in Willis’ character — the ability to love.
Yes, it is that mushy.
Jovovich got high praises for her acting in this one. That, and the outfit that she wore, which seemed to be made out of heavy duty toilet paper. Really, it’s Oldman who carries the acting in this thing, with only a lackluster performance from Willis (at best).
The visuals also got high marks, and I would have to agree with that. It has a very different look, probably again due to Besson and his choice of French, and not Hollywood, behind-the-scene folks to put together the visuals and the costumes.
It’s legally online, so go see this one. Don’t think about buying it — it’s an OK movie, but it’s certainly not great. Different enough to be worth seeing, though. I liked it, but did not love it.
Nice outfit, though.
