MovieChat Forums > Le Cinquième Élément (1997) Discussion > Good up until half way through

Good up until half way through

posted 7 years ago by Caseyspook
15 replies | jump to latest

The movie had a great pace the first two acts. However as soon as they get on the cruise liner, the movie comes to a halt. The story takes a back seat to focus on awkward comedy and action. Even visually it's ugly and doesn't quite match the rest of the movie, the lighting and colors looks faded and cheap. The diva looks really really bad on blu-ray you can see how rubber her suit is. Even suits from the late 70s and 80s looked more realistic. But worst of all was Chris Tucker. He had no purpose other than to annoy us. We literally halted the plot for five minutes during the take-off sequence of him seducing and eating out a woman... Why? Did he have anything to do with the story?
I loved the build up, and I loved the climax. But everything on the cruise ship, which was unfortunately almost half of the film, was a waste.

Could have been a sci-fi classic, but too many plot problems. Like, why was Zorg trying to help destroy the world? What exactly was in it for him?

[–] El Raheem (103) 7 years ago

agreed. The first half is pretty good and watchable. The 2nd half is pretty boring imo and standard average movie stuff.

[–] Adster (262) 4 years ago

Yes as soon as Chris tucker comes into it’s god awful, he really ruined the rest of the movie, my god is he annoying. Apart from the opera singing part that 2nd half was a mess

[–] B1cKsurN (14984) 4 years ago

Chris Tucker is annoying AF, but the opera/fight scene is cinematic mastery.

[–] AnubisRaydeen (7897) 3 years ago

You mean the fight in which three stooges tactics are used? I agree with OP. There were one or two cool moments on the cruise but it was the glue dream in the middle of what was a cool Heavy Metal Magazine movie.

Also abandoned: What was that black stuff coming out of dude's head as he beheld the coming evil? Like it was from a different movie.

[–] B1cKsurN (14984) 3 years ago

The fight itself is comical, yes. I was talking about the combination of the set pieces, the action, and the opera music/singing itself all-in-sync IS cinematic mastery.

[–] AnubisRaydeen (7897) 3 years ago

OK, I'm on board with that.

There were even a few things on the cruiser that I liked. When he calls out for the leader so he can shoot him was great.

[–] avortac4 (3529) 2 days ago

That fight scene is only mastery of goofiness, nothing else.

You want a 'cinematic masterful' fights, watch Hong Kong movies - I would start with Jackie Chan's best work, then move on to Cynthia Khan and Moon Lee's amazing rooftop fights and such, then maybe dabble a bit in Michelle Yeoh's movies and dash a hint of Rothrock on the top - not because she's anything interesting (she doesn't even do her own stunts, which she honestly could with that fat buttocks that would shield her from fall damage), but because in her movies, there are actually good martial artists and good fights as well (Richard Norton for one, if I remember the name correctly).

If you can watch all I recommended, then re-watch this movie's childish, rubbery, ridiculous three stooges-type cartoon comedy 'fight' starring Mary Sue vs. ineffective (possibly even empty) rubber suits, and STILL stand by what you said, there's something seriously malfunctioning in your brain and you should see a doctor IMMEDIATELY.

Holy cow, the things people let out of their keyboards... have to shake my head just to shake this vile imagery of some absolute !@%*(and one more asterisk)head abusing their keyboard out of my head.

Please read what you obviously typed when drunk and realize that when you are sober, you can't POSSIBLY think that for real..

[–] reichen4eva (251) 4 years ago

Chris Tucker was definitely the worst character in this. All his campy demeanour and comedic remarks seemed forced and just not funny. Not enough to ruin the movie for me, though.

[–] R_Kane (15828) 3 years ago

Whereas I agreed completely. Chris was dog vomit.

[–] DarTobor (4533) 4 years ago

I respectfully disagree.

[–] Gd5150 (11099) 3 years ago

Chris Tucker was hysterical. The first half is basically a poor mans Blade Runner.

[–] kuatorises (7467) 3 years ago

Ruby Rod is comedic gold. Bzzzt, screaming like a girl, running for his life during a insane gun fight - fucking kills me every time.

[–] enriquesingh (1774) 3 years ago

For many years I've always thought that this movie should be remade.

[–] Ace_Spade (9381) 3 years ago

I love the movie as-is. A remake could be great, but Luc Besson has his own wacky flavour, so it'd be hard for another to achieve what he did. I know he's not for everybody, but a remake would risk losing the special magic he always brings to the table.

[–] naDaht (1087) 2 years ago

Visually ugly? You got to be fucking me.