The ‘90s were a wild time, and that goes double for the era’s science fiction. Advancements in technology and visual effects pushed the boundaries of what was possible on-screen, and a handful of gonzo directors took these new tools and ran with them. From Men in Black to Strange Days, the decade was full of ambitious concepts, but few were more out there than The Fifth Element, director Luc Besson’s 1997 sci-fi adventure.
The Frenchman followed up his controversial English language debut, Léon, with a sci-fi fever dream. Even now, almost 30 years later, The Fifth Element touts a divisive reputation. The film was lauded at international festivals and panned at the Razzies. Public opinion was split practically down the middle, with Besson arguing that American audiences weren’t quite ready to embrace his French filmmaking sensibilities. That might have been true then, but time has been kind to his blockbuster. It’s garnered enough of a cult following to merit a theatrical re-release, allowing new audiences to discover it.
