Another addition to my “Favorite Flicks” page: The Fifth Element: Bruce Willis in a roll that he seems born to play: a retired military man living in semi-poverty driving a cab and being called up for one more mission at the request of the President. Oh, and it takes place in the future, the cab flies through the air, the mission is nothing less than saving the entire planet (or universe?), and he is teamed up with one of the most — ahem — dynamic partners ever to grace a sci-fi odyssey. The special-effects are great, with no obvious cheese.

Willis’ character has a great name: Korben Dallas. The bad guy, Zorg, is brilliantly portrayed by Gary Oldman as a bizarre sadistic tycoon with a Ross Perot-like twang. The aliens are convincingly alien; Chris Tucker, quite annoying in other films, is spot-on and truly outrageous as an intergalactic deejay who oozes sex appeal to the strangely-dressed flight crew on a luxury spaceship; and the Priest is smartly played as a wise but practical man who isn’t afraid of a little action; and the President is played with authority and by “Tiny” Lister.

The role of Leeloo is amazing, and Milla Jovovich pulls it off: sexy, naive, strong, whimsical (”Multi-pass!”), and so on. Her “language” is quite humorous, too. Lots of humor in this flick, and don’t forget the small role played by none other than “Sideshow” Luke Perry!

I think that this film was ripe for a sequel - sort of a James Bond (or Die Hard) of the 23rd century, but apparently it was a one-shot deal. Good stuff.