“The Fifth Element” is a 1997 science fiction film directed by Luc Besson, known for its vibrant visuals, imaginative world-building, and a blend of action, comedy, and romance. Set in the 23rd century, the film presents a future where humanity is on the brink of destruction by an approaching cosmic evil. The only way to stop this apocalyptic force is by assembling the titular “Fifth Element,” an ancient and mysterious being who, when combined with four elemental stones (representing earth, air, fire, and water), can thwart the looming threat.
The story revolves around Korben Dallas, a retired special forces major turned cab driver in a futuristic New York City, played by Bruce Willis. His life takes a wild turn when a mysterious and otherworldly woman named Leeloo, portrayed by Milla Jovovich, literally falls into his cab. Leeloo is revealed to be the Fifth Element, a being of immense power and the key to saving humanity. Together, they embark on a quest to retrieve the elemental stones and stop the malevolent force known as Mr. Shadow, aided by a colourful cast of characters, including the eccentric radio host Ruby Rhod (Chris Tucker) and the wise priest Vito Cornelius (Ian Holm). Let’s also not forget the amazing Gary Oldman as Zorg.
Visually, “The Fifth Element” is a feast for the eyes, with its highly stylized depiction of the future featuring flying cars, towering skyscrapers, and diverse alien species. The film’s distinctive aesthetic, heavily influenced by the work of French comic artists like Jean “Moebius” Giraud, has made it a cult classic. Besson’s world is gritty and fantastical, balancing the dark, dystopian elements with moments of humour and light-heartedness.
At its core, “The Fifth Element” is a story about love and sacrifice, as Leeloo learns about humanity and its worth through her interactions with Korben. The film’s blend of action-packed sequences, quirky humour, and heartfelt moments, combined with its unique visual style, makes it a standout in the science fiction genre. Despite receiving mixed reviews upon its release, it has since gained a devoted following and is often celebrated for its creativity and bold vision.
How Does the Restoration of the Fifth Element Look and Sound on Blu-ray?
I’ve been a fan of the movie since I first saw it in the cinema when it first came out and not long after I got hold of the amazing soundtrack by Eric Serra, then the DVD release of the film. But I always held back on the Blu-ray release as after seeing the first release on Blu-ray I wasn’t overly impressed with the quality, then after all those years a 4K release was brought out and recently I finally got my hands on the Blu-ray of the release of the stunning restoration of Luc Beeson’s brilliant movie.
The first thing you notice on this release that first came out in 2020 is the amazing artwork on the front cover that makes the release and gives you the feeling that the film itself is going to look good as well.
The Blu-ray release of the restored looks stunning with the wonderful vibrant colours showing off the amazing set and costume design that fans have come to love in The Fifth Element, the film looks crystal clear as well giving it a fresh look that makes it enjoyable to watch.
When it comes to sound the Blu-ray boasts a Dolby Atmos sound and having the film running through a Dolby 5.1 sound system it shines with the bass coming through in the action scenes and the music, the famous Diva Plavalaguna scene with the amazing operatic music is amazing to listen to on the Dolby Atmos soundtrack.
The Fifth Element has always been a film that perks me up no matter what and I’m so glad I finally decided to go for the Blu-ray release, if you are a fan and have access to a 4K player the release is also available in 4K UHD and I can only imagine how much better that looks as well.
The Fifth Element (Restored Version)
Movie title: The Fifth Element
Movie description: In the colourful future, a cab driver unwittingly becomes the central figure in the search for a legendary cosmic weapon to keep Evil and Mr. Zorg at bay.
Date published: August 6, 2024
Country: UK
Duration: 2h 6m
Director(s): Luc Besson
Actor(s): Bruce Willis, Milla Jovovich, Gary Oldman
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
Summary
The Fifth Element has built up a cult following since its release back in 1997 and the restored Blu-ray looks and sounds stunning, definitely one for the Blu-ray collector.
Karen Woodham is the founder and owner of the Blazing Minds. She is also a Cinema reviewer and works with RealD 3D reviewing the latest 3D releases and IMAX, she has also had several articles published in various publications including the first edition of SFW Magazine. In 2015 she became an Award Winning Blogger and also has her website listed as one of the UK’s Top 10 Film Blogs.
