The Sci-Fi Action Blockbuster Classic on Netflix Still Dazzles Us Almost 30 Years Later
By Chris Snellgrove | Published
It's a strange time to be a sci-fi fan. Major franchises continue to churn out sequels, endless streaming series, and cinematic universes that run on smoke. Fortunately, streaming also gives us the opportunity to revisit the best genre, and you don't need a multipass, just a Netflix subscription. There, you can broadcast Part Fivea sci-fi action classic that still haunts us nearly 30 years after its release.
Strengthens Structure Away from Focused Characters
What does Part Five so good? First, the film finds the right balance between special effects and the human element. Sure, every scene is filled with sci-fi glamor, but this is a movie that is anchored by its actors. None of those performances are as confident and iconic as Bruce Willis, whose Korben Dallas character feels instantly fresh in a sci-fi genre filled with boring carbon copies of famous actors like Captain Kirk and Luke Skywalker.
The Allman Charm
If you haven't seen it Part Five and they need a mental picture, Willis plays Dallas as a cocky version of his famous character John McClane. That's part of what made McClane so compelling Die Hard that he was always in the background, and he seemed out of his depth when he fought a Christmas party that turned into a terrorist attack.
In Part FiveWillis still exudes McClane's universal likability and relatability, but he also has a cool air that can't be blown in the face of everything from the incompetent burglar to the impending apocalypse.
The Show To Play Here And It Should Be Explosive!
Bruce Willis could have carried this film alone, but luckily he didn't. Milla Jovovich is a beautiful sidekick turned love interest who parlayed this performance as a multipass pixie dream girl into a career as an action star. His one-liner delivery is funny enough, but he can't hold a candle to Chris Tucker, whose Ruby Rhod delivers one-liners that are funnier than anything Iron Man has ever said in the MCU.
The Banality Of Evil
All games on Part Five are great, and we haven't even touched on Gary Oldman's chance as a very different kind of villain. He is basically the prevention of evil in human nature, but this does not prevent him from being afflicted by evil things. Also, the film's idea that powerful leaders might sell out humanity for a piece of the action seems more informed now than ever.
This may sound like a small compliment (or copium as the kids say), but Part Five it's better than most modern sci-fi because of its simple plot. Everything can be summed up in one sentence: our heroes must find and use the mysterious fifth element to save humanity from an ancient evil. Such a simple structure for the audience to understand also gives the film more of a way to focus on the story that is, at its heart, a love story.
Everyone Makes a Purpose
In retrospect, this is what we love most about it Part Five: advanced sci-fi technology and high-end special effects take a firm back seat so the film can focus on its characters. Everyone gets a rewarding arc: cabbie to hero, ingenue to savior, clown to ally. Individually, these arcs are powerful; together, they are like elements, forming a whole greater than the individual parts.
Yes, if we praise Part Five any harder, you might think we're getting a kick out of Ruby Rhod herself. The best thing you can do is make up your own mind by streaming a movie on Netflix. Just watch out for the emotional meltdown when you realize we may never get another sci-fi movie like this Luc Besson classic again.
