How well did the Fifth Element predict the future?

Fifth Element is largely built of old SF tropes, so saying it predicts anything is a little skewed. Most things it shows were borrowed from other films and shows and inserted for their ridiculousness. It even recycles iconic SF actors like Ian Holme and Brion James, while using a bunch of other odd casting choices to keep reminding you that you are watching a goofy SF movie. It's brilliant.
 
Oh I love 5th Element. I did find the point about CRT screens everywhere rather telling. :)
Also love 5th Elephant....
 
Montero said:
Oh I love 5th Element. I did find the point about CRT screens everywhere rather telling. :)
Also love 5th Elephant....
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Yeah, I think they definitely put those in on purpose. It's part of the overall throwback SF aesthetic.
 
Swank said:
Fifth Element is largely built of old SF tropes, so saying it predicts anything is a little skewed. Most things it shows were borrowed from other films and shows and inserted for their ridiculousness. It even recycles iconic SF actors like Ian Holme and Brion James, while using a bunch of other odd casting choices to keep reminding you that you are watching a goofy SF movie. It's brilliant.
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There's even a riff on the scene where the android is completed in "Metropolis." When I first saw that bit, I went, "I know this is quoting something I haven't seen yet."
 
Not very accurately , but who cares? . This film is a positive joy to watch . :D:cool:
 
I completely hated this movie. Maybe now I have a reason beyond it's complete stupidity. If I understand correctly some of you think it was supposed to be a kind of send up of S.F. movies.
 
Parson said:
I completely hated this movie. Maybe now I have a reason beyond it's complete stupidity. If I understand correctly some of you think it was supposed to be a kind of send up of S.F. movies.
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A lot of us would rate it as one of the great SF movies, in part for its tongue in cheek use of SF visual movies tropes. The British flight crew with the astronaut caps, the tiny monitors, the hilarious casting choices, the "tired future" and manufactured tourism culture and general consumerism. It is high satire in parts. It is also reasonably gripping at other times with genuinely evil villains and protagonists you feel for. That pathetic thing on Zorg's desk must have inspired the Baron's "spider" in Dune.

Some people just hate Chris Tucker's part, but that character is such a fantastic extrapolation of a future version of Prince, I just loved him.


That film is a treasure trove of SF lore. It is shame you can't enjoy it. Just visually it is incredible.
 
Reflecting more on this, Fifth Element is to SF what The Princess Bride is to fantasy and adventure. A reverential send up of the classic hooks. "I am also not left handed."
 
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