52
Metascore
22 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 80Los Angeles TimesKevin ThomasLos Angeles TimesKevin ThomasThe cast is a delight, but it's Willis who is the film's true "fifth element," giving it life, depth and humanity.
- 75San Francisco ChroniclePeter StackSan Francisco ChroniclePeter StackWhat an attempt, and what a work of the imagination. The Fifth Element' will change the look of science fiction and will probably be imitated for years.
- 63The Globe and Mail (Toronto)Rick GroenThe Globe and Mail (Toronto)Rick GroenThe movie unreels like a depressive in a manic phase, a frenzy of lightning-fast cuts, cuts, cuts.
- 50Christian Science MonitorDavid SterrittChristian Science MonitorDavid SterrittThe action is fast, furious, and as wacky as science fantasy gets.
- 50The New York TimesJanet MaslinThe New York TimesJanet MaslinAs a yammering, swishy talk show host, Chris Tucker is flat-out incomprehensible, while Mr. Oldman preens evilly enough to leave tooth marks on the scenery.
- 50ReelViewsJames BerardinelliReelViewsJames BerardinelliBesson may have misfired with The Fifth Element, but at least he does it with flair and a sense of humor.
- 50USA TodaySusan WloszczynaUSA TodaySusan WloszczynaBut for all the fancy-schmancy effects (budget: $90 million-plus), the vision of a hypercongested metropolis is not much more sophisticated than an episode of "The Jetsons." [9 May 1997]
- 50San Francisco ExaminerSan Francisco ExaminerThis is a prodigious something. It's just difficult to say whether that something is good or evil.
- 30Chicago ReaderLisa AlspectorChicago ReaderLisa AlspectorEven the revelation of what the fifth element is at the end is disingenuous--in fact, the archness of this whole project is repellent.
- 20SlateDavid EdelsteinSlateDavid EdelsteinIt may or may not be the worst movie ever made, but it is one of the most unhinged.