Maybe you've never seen the Fifth Element, but you really should. What makes this a fun movie to watch is how intercutting, or cross-cutting, is used, not only to weave together different locations and plot points in the story, it is also used for some rather humorous effects.
Take for example the two scenes that are cut together to reveal what happened to the stones. The scene where Leeloo is recovering at Father Vito Cornelius' place is intercut with the scene where Zorg takes delivery of the stones from the Mangalores. As LeeLoo is telling the Father that they have been stolen, Zorg makes the trade off with the Mangalores. When he looks into the case, he finds the case is empty. A quick cut is made back to Leeloo laughing. Then back to Zorg who asks if anyone cares to explain. Back to Leeloo who explains where the stones are. There are many instances of this.
One of my favorite sequences in the movie is the one that cuts between Korben at the Flava Laguna concert and Leeloo stopping the Mangalores from stealing the stones. Flava Laguna performs "Il Dolce Suono" during the entire sequence, with a little remixing of the aria done for the fight scene. If you're not familiar with the aria, it's from Lucia di Lammermoor. It's an opera. "Il Dolce Suono"-translated as the sweet sound-is the aria for Lucia's mad scene. She's just murdered her husband, whom she did not love, and has now gone mad. A good use of the aria, if you ask me, since LeeLoo is about to kick some Mangalore booty.
Plus, you gotta love Leeloo's hair color.
at October 7, 2005 9:23 PMevery time i go to Mc Donald's i want to order '2 Golden Menus'. i will admit that i watch this movie about once a week. not only is the intercutting brilliant, but the music is used SO WELL and the whole 'falling in love' thing is not too mushy. i also like that it portrays men as feeling humas while still wanting to go blow stuff up and women can be the 'savior' of the galaxy.
and yes, i want leeloo's hair!
Posted by: Cathie at October 8, 2005 11:03 PMI'd have to concur on the Lee-Loo-kicking-ass scene as my favorite scene also. Thanks for the info on the real aria. Although I was a huge fan of the Chris Tucker Ruby Rhod character. Bzzzz!
Posted by: jennyb at November 14, 2005 6:03 PMit's totally cool! i think it's going to be my all-time fav from now on. by the way , do you know where to download "Il Dolce Suono" ? I like it so much that I can't resist it
Posted by: kat smith at November 14, 2006 3:12 AMI am currently watching this great movie with a group. The question was just asked. How was Flava Laguna going to deliver the stones to Major Dallas if she had not been shot? Your speculation is most appreaciated. Maybe she had a zipper?
Posted by: Kev K at December 30, 2006 4:29 PMone also has to wonder, how she got them in there in the first place. i think i will have to go with detachable lower jaw, like a boa constrictor, or the aliens in V the final battle. this would enable her to swallow the stones. as for getting them out, i have two hypotheses:
1. she knew she was going to be killed. in the opera lucia di lammermoor, the aria "il dulce suono" is sung right before lucia's dies. she goes mad first and then dies. i think this makes a strong case for flava laguna knowing that she would have to die and allow the stones to be removed posthumously.
2. regurgitation.
the zipper idea is also a good one.
Posted by: hope at January 2, 2007 12:53 PM