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Fifth Element

''The Fifth Element'' is a 1997 written and directed by . Set in a futuristic 23rd-century , it stars as taxi driver Korben Dallas and as Leeloo, a supreme being known as , who joins forces with him, a priest (), and others to prevent an ancient evil from destroying Earth using four elemental stones. The film also features as the antagonist Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg. Blending , comedy, and visual effects, it was released on May 9, 1997, with a runtime of 127 minutes, on a budget of approximately $90 million, grossing over $263 million worldwide and becoming the highest-grossing film in that year. Produced primarily in the United Kingdom with special effects by Digital Domain and BUF, the film draws inspiration from comic books and Besson's screenplay developed over two decades. It received a 71% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 70 reviews, with the consensus describing it as a "visually inventive and gleefully over-the-top" sci-fi romp, and an 87% audience score from over 250,000 ratings. Among its awards, it won the BAFTA for Best Special Visual Effects in 1998, the Technical Grand Prize at the 1997 Cannes Film Festival, and César Awards for Best Director, Best Cinematography, and Best Production Design. ''The Fifth Element'' has become a , influencing sci-fi with its genre mix, Éric Serra's score, and elements like the opera-singing alien diva. ''Fifth element'' may also refer to:

Elements

Classical Fifth Element

In ancient Greek philosophy, the concept of the fifth element, known as aether or quintessence, emerged as a fundamental substance distinct from the four terrestrial elements of earth, water, air, and fire. Aristotle introduced this idea in the 4th century BCE in his work On the Heavens (De Caelo), positing aether as the pure, incorruptible material composing the celestial realm above the Moon. Unlike the mutable terrestrial elements, which undergo generation and corruption through qualitative changes, aether was eternal and unchangeable, embodying perfection and serving as the divine essence of the heavens. In Aristotelian cosmology, aether played a central role in explaining the structure and motion of the universe. It filled the region beyond the sublunary sphere—the area encompassing the Earth and its atmosphere—forming the substance of the stars, planets, and celestial spheres. Aether's natural motion was uniform and circular, reflecting the observed eternal revolutions of heavenly bodies, in contrast to the rectilinear motions of the four elements below the Moon, which drove changes like falling or rising. This distinction underscored a hierarchical cosmos, with the incorruptible aether enabling the perpetual, divine order of the stars, free from the imperfections of terrestrial decay. During the medieval period, the notion of evolved into , particularly within traditions, where it represented a purifying agent capable of and the creation of elixirs of life. The Swiss physician and alchemist (1493–1541) expanded this concept, integrating it into medical alchemy as the essential extract from natural substances like plants and wine, used to distill universal medicines that harmonized body and spirit. Influenced by earlier figures like Johannes de Rupescissa, Paracelsus viewed quintessence as the vital force revealing hidden signatures in matter, facilitating therapeutic transformations rather than mere metallic transmutation. Philosophically, aether held profound symbolic significance, bridging the material and immaterial worlds in ancient and medieval thought. Drawing from Plato's influence in works like Timaeus, where cosmic order implied an eternal substrate, Aristotle's symbolized divine purity and the unchanging realm of forms, influencing as the medium of celestial influences on earthly affairs and early as the link between observable phenomena and metaphysical ideals. The classical concept of aether began to decline with the advent of modern science, particularly Isaac Newton's in the , which replaced qualitative theories with quantitative laws of motion and , eliminating the need for a distinct substance. This shift culminated in Albert Einstein's in the early , which, building on the null result of the 1887 Michelson-Morley experiment, dispensed with entirely by establishing as a dynamic where propagates without a medium. Nonetheless, the idea persisted in esoteric traditions such as , where it retained symbolic value as a .

Chemical Element

Boron (B) is a with 5, positioned as in the modern periodic table, and classified as a . It has an of 10.81 u and an of [He] 2s² 2p¹, featuring three electrons that contribute to its properties and ability to form covalent bonds. Discovered in 1808 through independent efforts by in and and Louis Jacques Thénard in , boron was isolated by heating () with metal, marking an early advancement in understanding non-metallic s beyond ancient classical theories. Physically, boron exhibits a low of 2.34 g/cm³ in its crystalline rhombohedral form and a high of 2076°C, making it resistant to heat and oxidation. Chemically, it forms key compounds such as (H₃BO₃), a weak used in antiseptics and buffers, and (e.g., B₂H₆), which are electron-deficient hydrides serving as precursors for advanced materials. Boron occurs naturally in evaporite minerals like (Na₂B₄O₇·10H₂O) and kernite (Na₂B₄O₇·4H₂O), with major deposits in , the world's leading producer via state-owned Eti Maden, and , where U.S. Borax operations yield about one-third of global refined borates. Industrial production of elemental involves reducing (BCl₃) with magnesium or at high temperatures, or electrolytic methods from fused borates, yielding purities up to 99.999% for specialized uses. Boron plays a critical role in various applications due to its unique properties. In glassmaking, it is essential for producing , such as , which offers resistance through its low thermal expansion coefficient. In semiconductors, acts as a p-type in , creating charge carriers for integrated circuits and photovoltaic cells by accepting electrons to form holes. In 2025, boron was added to the U.S. list of critical minerals, emphasizing its importance for defense, technology, and clean energy supply chains. relies on boron fertilizers, like , to correct deficiencies that impair plant cell wall formation and pollination, enhancing crop yields in boron-poor soils. In nuclear reactors, the isotope boron-10's high cross-section (3837 barns) enables its use in control rods and shielding to absorb neutrons and regulate fission reactions. Biologically, boron is a vital for growth, where it facilitates sugar transport, development, and integrity, with deficiencies causing symptoms like brittle stems in crops such as beets and . In humans, it supports by influencing calcium and magnesium metabolism and may reduce risk, though requirements remain unestablished at 1–13 mg/day from dietary sources like nuts and fruits. However, excessive intake can lead to , with the tolerable upper intake level set at 20 mg/day for adults; chronic exposure above this, particularly in occupational settings (e.g., boron oxide exceeding OSHA PEL of 15 mg/m³), may cause skin lesions, gastrointestinal distress, and renal damage.

Arts and Entertainment

Film

The Fifth Element is a 1997 science fiction action film directed, co-written, and produced by Luc Besson. Released on May 7, 1997, in France and May 9 in the United States, the film features a screenplay by Besson and Robert Mark Kamen. Set in 2257, it follows taxi driver Korben Dallas (Bruce Willis) and the reconstructed supreme being Leeloo (Milla Jovovich) as they unite the four classical elements with the fifth—love—to defeat an ancient evil, opposed by industrialist Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg (Gary Oldman). Other key characters include priest Cornelius (Ian Holm) and host Ruby Rhod (Chris Tucker). The film's visual style was inspired by French comic books like Valérian and Laureline. Filmed primarily at Pinewood Studios in London with desert scenes in Mauritania, it had a $90 million budget, the highest for a European film at the time. It grossed $263.9 million worldwide and received acclaim for its effects, winning the BAFTA for Best Special Visual Effects and a César for Best Film, though it earned a mixed 71% on Rotten Tomatoes. Its influence persists in sci-fi design, with 25th-anniversary re-releases in 2022 and ongoing cult status as of 2025.

Video Games

The primary video game adaptation of The Fifth Element is a 1998 action-adventure title developed by and published by for the and Microsoft Windows platforms. Released in late 1998, over a year after the film's premiere, it serves as a that follows the movie's , allowing players to control protagonists Korben Dallas and Leeloo in a third-person perspective. The game was also localized for other regions by publishers such as Ubi Soft in and in . Gameplay blends third-person shooting, platforming, and puzzle-solving across 16 levels that recreate key scenes from , such as Korben's apartment confrontation and infiltration of Zorg's headquarters. Players primarily control Korben Dallas, voiced by , navigating futuristic environments, battling Mangalores and Zorg's forces with weapons like the ZF-1 gun, while solving environmental puzzles; Leeloo, voiced by , becomes playable in select segments focused on agility and reconstruction tasks. Notable mechanics include multipass authentication mini-games, where players input codes at security terminals to progress, echoing the film's iconic document checks. The title utilized a modified version of Kalisto's engine for its 3D visuals and animations. Development was handled by , a studio known for horror-action titles, in collaboration with Gaumont to capture the film's vibrant aesthetic, including licensed voice performances from the original cast such as as and as . faced constraints typical of late-1990s movie tie-ins, resulting in reported issues with level and , though the team aimed to integrate direct film footage and for authenticity. Upon release, the game received mixed reviews, praised for its faithful recreation of the source material and voice acting but criticized for clunky controls, repetitive combat, and graphical glitches; awarded it a 5/10, noting its action potential undermined by poor puzzles, while scored it 2.4/10 for overall execution. It achieved modest sales, bolstered by the film's , but did not spawn major sequels. Beyond the release, adaptations are limited, with no official mobile ports or significant follow-ups; unofficial emulations and fan ports have appeared on modern platforms, but the original remains the core interactive extension of the franchise. The 's legacy lies in exemplifying early licensed sci-fi adventures, influencing subsequent film tie-ins by emphasizing character-driven narratives over complex mechanics, though its technical shortcomings highlight the challenges of rapid post-film development in the era.

Music

The soundtrack for the 1997 film , composed by , blends electronic and orchestral elements with influences, including the track "Alech Taadi" performed by Algerian raï artist Khaled. A standout feature is the "Diva Dance," an operatic aria based on Gaetano Donizetti's , performed by Albanian soprano , which combines classical vocal techniques with futuristic production to evoke an otherworldly diva. Released by , the album incorporates synth-driven beats and ethnic percussion, creating a hybrid score that supports the film's sci-fi aesthetic. Several albums titled Fifth Element or The Fifth Element have been released across metal genres. Pathfinder's 2013 power metal album Fifth Element features 12 tracks of symphonic arrangements exploring epic, otherworldly narratives with soaring vocals and intricate guitar work. Turbo, a Polish heavy metal band, issued The Fifth Element in 2014, delivering 12 songs of classic hard rock riffs and melodic hooks, produced with a clean, energetic sound. More recently, electronic producer Deadbeat (Scott Monteith) released Fifth Element in 2025, a 17-track ambient album rooted in dub techno and minimal electronica, emphasizing atmospheric textures and subtle rhythms. Notable songs include Veonity's "The Fifth Element," a 2024 single from their power metal album The Final Element, characterized by symphonic orchestration, driving guitars, and anthemic choruses in a style reminiscent of 1990s European metal. The Fifth Element Jazz, a Toronto-based quintet founded in 2016 and led by tenor saxophonist Dave Coules, has produced instrumental jazz fusion works drawing from the Great American Songbook, featuring creative arrangements of standards with ensemble interplay. Across these works, recurring motifs include through and symphonic layers in Serra's and Veonity's pieces, alongside symbolized in the band's name and , representing as the unifying . Production techniques vary, from Serra's innovative synth beats layered with orchestral swells to the quintet's emphasis on live and dynamic solos. Serra's score received a César Award nomination for Best Music Written for a Film in 1998 and has been praised for its genre-blending innovation. Pathfinder's garnered positive reviews in metal circles for its ambitious symphonic elements, while Turbo's release was noted for revitalizing traditional energy. Deadbeat's 2025 effort continues his reputation in ambient , and Veonity's single fits into their stream of well-regarded output; the Fifth Element Jazz quintet won Best Album in 2021 for their debut recording.

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