The Fifth Element
The Fifth Element is a 1997 science fiction action film written and directed by Luc Besson, starring Bruce Willis as a futuristic taxi driver and Milla Jovovich as a supreme being recreated from ancient DNA.[1] Set in the 23rd century, the story centers on preventing an interstellar evil from destroying Earth by assembling four elemental stones and a fifth life force amid a sprawling, multi-level New York City.[1] Produced on a $90 million budget—the most expensive film made outside the United States at the time—it featured extensive practical sets, miniatures, and early digital effects blending organic and mechanical designs.[2] The film grossed $263.7 million worldwide, achieving commercial success despite mixed critical reception focused on its stylistic excess and narrative quirks.[2] Noted for pioneering visual effects integration, it won the BAFTA Award for Best Special Visual Effects and earned Besson a César for Best Director, cementing its status as a cult classic influential in sci-fi aesthetics.[3]Synopsis
Plot
In 1914, at an ancient Egyptian temple, a group of extraterrestrial emissaries led by the Mondoshawan arrive to retrieve four elemental stones representing earth, water, fire, and air, along with a sarcophagus containing the Fifth Element, a supreme being capable of defeating an impending Great Evil.[4][5] The priest guarding the temple, witnessed by young Vito Cornelius, entrusts the artifacts to the aliens for safekeeping until the evil's return in 5,000 years.[6] The story shifts to the year 2263 in a futuristic New York City, where the Great Evil—a massive, planet-destroying planetary entity—approaches Earth.[4] Father Vito Cornelius (Ian Holm), now an elderly priest, informs military leaders that only the four stones and the Fifth Element can activate a weapon in an ancient Egyptian temple to repel the threat.[6] Meanwhile, industrialist Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg (Gary Oldman), in league with the Mangalore mercenaries, seeks the stones for profit and power, inadvertently aiding the evil's agents.[4] Scientists at a Manhattan laboratory reconstruct the Fifth Element from Mondoshawan remains, creating Leeloo (Milla Jovovich), a genetically perfect orange-haired woman with superhuman abilities, who awakens uttering the word "multipass" and quickly learns human language and culture.[7][4] Leeloo escapes the lab and boards a flying taxi piloted by ex-soldier Korben Dallas (Bruce Willis), who is unwittingly drawn into the conflict after Cornelius contacts him via radio.[4] Posing as a health inspector, Korben hides Leeloo in his apartment as Mangalores attack his building under Zorg's orders, leading to a shootout where Korben defeats the invaders.[5] Leeloo, discovering a news report about the approaching evil, becomes despondent upon realizing humanity's history of violence, refusing to aid the mission unless Korben affirms life's value through love.[4] With Ruby Rhod (Chris Tucker), a flamboyant radio host, they secure the stones—earth from Cornelius, water and fire from Egyptian operatives, and air after thwarting Zorg's plot—and travel via interstellar cruise ship to the temple.[6][7] At the temple, as the Great Evil envelops Earth, Leeloo activates the stones, but initially falters due to her despair. Korben's declaration of love revives her, channeling a divine energy ray that vaporizes the evil, restoring cosmic balance.[4] Zorg's betrayal by the Mangalores and his own devices leads to his demise, while Korben and Leeloo share a romantic moment overlooking the saved planet.[5]Cast and Characters
The principal cast of The Fifth Element (1997) features Bruce Willis as Korben Dallas, a former special forces major reduced to driving a flying taxi in a dystopian future New York City, who unwittingly becomes central to humanity's survival against an ancient evil. Milla Jovovich plays Leeloo, the titular fifth element—a genetically engineered supreme being reconstructed from a single bone fragment, possessing superhuman abilities and the power to activate the four classical elements to repel cosmic destruction.[8] Gary Oldman portrays Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg, a megalomaniacal arms manufacturer who supplies weapons to interstellar threats in pursuit of personal gain.[9] Ian Holm depicts Father Vito Cornelius, a scholarly priest from an ancient order dedicated to preserving the ritual that summons the elements for planetary salvation. Chris Tucker embodies Ruby Rhod, a hyperactive, androgynous radio host and celebrity whose broadcasts amplify the film's chaotic media landscape.| Actor | Character | Key Traits and Role |
|---|---|---|
| Bruce Willis | Korben Dallas | Stoic ex-soldier and cab driver thrust into a messianic quest; aids Leeloo after she crash-lands in his apartment, navigating chases and alliances.[1] |
| Milla Jovovich | Leeloo (Leeloominaï Lekatariba Laminaï-Tchaï Ekbatore Peegleux Mishibix Dajiva Likubea) | Innocent yet formidable humanoid with rapid learning capacity, martial prowess, and elemental activation powers; learns human emotions, particularly love, as pivotal to her function.[1] [10] |
| Gary Oldman | Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg | Scheming corporate overlord in a mechanical suit, driven by greed to unleash evil forces; his failed deals with extraterrestrials underscore themes of hubris.[1] [10] |
| Ian Holm | Father Vito Cornelius | Devout guardian of esoteric lore, guiding protagonists through the elemental ceremony despite bureaucratic and personal obstacles.[1] [10] |
| Chris Tucker | Ruby Rhod | Flamboyant broadcaster with improvised mannerisms, providing comic relief and logistical aid via his influence and spaceship.[1] [11] |