The Fifth Element is making the rounds on HBO this month and seems to be on 24/7. Fine with me. Every chance I get, I turn and watch some when I can (I've watched it twice today already). If you've never seen the movie, you will be floored that Chris Tucker in TFE is the same Chris Tucker of the buddy-cop Rush Hour franchise. Here he plays a supporting role as Ruby Rod, a DJ/Superstar of the future who's like the speed addicted love child of Will E.Coyote and Rupaul. The fawning help is shooed away like gnats with a quick "Bzzz" and a flick of the wrist while anything good gets voted "green" (as in money). It is simply one of the funniest comic creations in movies ever and it steals the film.

Not an easy feat. There's also super sexy costumes by Jean-Paul Gaultier (including Ruby Rod's portrait collared catsuit holding bouquets of red roses framing his face). Part of the plot concerns an Other Worldly Diva who performs a show-stopping aria that segues into a disco fight sequence. Yeah, no kiddin', and it's oddly moving and uplifting and beautiful to boot.

Ultimately, The Fifth Element is about the evils of war and the triumphs of love. In the times we live, it's an idea we could all do well to absorb over and over.
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