The Fifth Element

     The Fifth Element was such an interesting film. When we watched the beginning in class, I was pretty confused on what was going on, but the pace of the movie keeps the audience excited to learn more about the fifth element and how it will save humanity throughout the movie. The costumes and the sets throughout the movie were extraordinary, and unlike anything I have ever seen. Korben's futuristic apartment was so cool to analyze and see their vision of what living looks like in the 23rd century. The flying cars, highly advanced weapons, humans colonizing outer space, and everyday technology was very unique and a cool way to imagine our future. 

    I think Leloo's character is incredibly interesting, but the most important part about her is what she represents. She is made to be a perfect human with the capabilities of saving the human race from evil. Although she is seemingly perfect, it is revealed that Leloo is not as strong as everyone imagines her to be. She needs companionship and needs to know that she is protecting a race that is capable of good. Near the end of the film, Leloo learns about war, and she realizes that she is saving a group of people who are capable of evil that is almost as bad as the evil she is supposed to protect them from. Knowing this, she struggles to fulfill her destiny of protecting humanity because what's the point? Why would she allow them to continue to incite war and continue to flood the world with evil? She needs to learn the concept of love and hope before she gives up on humanity, but she doesn't have time to learn through history. She needs Korben to show her the importance of love, and how love can give us hope for humanity. Although Leloo is seen as a superhuman being, she is very human on the inside and needs love ti motivate her to complete her mission. Being able to give and receive love makes us human. 

    Another one of my favorite characters in there movie was Ruby Rhod. I feel like a character like Ruby was rarely seen in media in the 90s, and that his actions and wardrobe were very important in introducing gender fluid characters into Hollywood and into any kind of film. I feel this representation is very important, but I must say that I wish Ruby's story played out a little differently. When we first see Ruby, he is a powerful gender bending talk show host. He holds power over his fans, over his peers, and especially over women. I wish we saw this powerful black man throughout the movie. I didn't like how when it came to fighting and saving the world that Ruby was included, but he was the one cowering in fear looking for Korben's protection. I wish Ruby could have had his own moments of bravery, and played a bigger role in saving humanity rather than just narrating it in a comedic way and hiding behind the straight white male who also happens to be the lead.