What a joy to watch. Somehow hilariously stupid and cunning referential simultaneously. It's set in a somewhat dingy future that is heavily inspired by 'Blade Runner' (and undoubtedly by a host of graphic novels that preceded both movies). The city especially are extremely 'Blade Runner'/'Judge Dredd' (and a lot like what Coruscant from 'Star Wars' would end up looking like), and the space scenes are similar to those of the early 'Star Wars' movies. There is a huge contrast here though, as much of the settings (and STYLES) are very bright. This references the earlier chrome sci-fi movies of the 50s, though the styles - while nodding to these classics - are a whole other story.
Jean Paul Gaultier did all the costume design. I'm the first to admit that I don't know a whole lot about style - peak lapels and matte black is as good as it gets, I'd say - but I've watch enough 'Ugly Betty' episodes (I was weirdly into it at one point) to have heard of Gaultier, and this whole film bends around his style. The film is kind of like a sofa, and Gaultier is my dad, and the impact of his style is the big depression in the sofa where he always sits - kind of weird to look at, but comfy. OK so that was extremely labored, and didn't work at all, but the costumes were seriously great.
The main character is played by Bruce Willis, who does his usual bloodied heavy breathing acting - but in the future! Gaultier has even seeped through his rough hide though, as his thinning hair is now bleach blonde, and his grubby white wife-beater is now a grubby orange rubber wife-beater. It's hilarious, and his dead-pan serious face adds the the humour of it all. All the other characters are interestingly clothed too, most notably Mr. Zorg and the rich people on the cruise ship.
The plot is fairly far out there, and reads (not that I'm going to go over it) kind of like something a 16 year old would write (it was started when the director was 16). The female lead is well played and quirky enough to be enjoyable, and the two work well together. The baddies are numerous and interestingly imagined, and while there is rarely a moment without a tinge of humour, we are never unsure of weather our protagonists are in real danger.
Fun, quirky, smarter than it lets on, and very watchable: 'The Fifth Element' sets up an ambitiously exciting adventure, and manages to maintain that initial level of excitement for the duration. I don't love Willis, but I warmed to him greatly after seeing this.
The Fifth Element: 79.8