ROTTEN TOMATOES: Besson Contemplates Post-"Fifth Element" Return to Sci-Fi

Besson Contemplates Post-"Fifth Element" Return to Sci-Fi

by Fred Topel | March 14, 2007

"The Fifth Element" was Luc Besson's only foray into science fiction. Though praised by many fans and critics, the experience was so frustrating for the filmmaker that he has never tried the genre again. But now that technology would make such films easier, he's got ideas.

"I think of it," said Besson. "Not before two or three years [but] I got an idea I think."

Besson cannot share much of his idea, because he's started from the back forward and wouldn't want to spoil it. "I start to have the ending which is good. Let’s not blow the flame."

"The Fifth Element" was made just before the techno-revolution that allowed CGI to become a common practice in any kind of film. Thus, it was much more difficult than it would have been only one year later.

"I did 'The Fifth Element' at probably the wrong moment because I was so frustrated to see that a year after that, the tools that we had to do special effects went from five to 50. For me it was a nightmare. I have to work 12 hours to do one still shot with the blue screen and the thing. I was so frustrated to see two or three years later how easy it was. So that frustrated me and I really would love to do another sci-fi where I can be much more free with the special effects."

Now, time and money won't limit Besson's vision. "It’s new tools, you can really do anything you want now. It’s not so much a question of money. It’s a question of imagination and how to be able to do it. You have an idea but before, you can’t do it. The Fifth Element was a nightmare. Some shots, just her jumping with the cars, you do that now like this [snaps fingers.] It was a nightmare."

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(1-14 of 14 posts) | Reply

PunkJr writes:
on Mar 14 2007 10:39 AM

The Fifth Element is one of my all time favorite movies, so if he's able to do something on the same level with the tools he has available now, I'd definately be first in line to see it! =)

(Reply to this)

nardoguz writes:
on Mar 14 2007 10:59 AM

[b]6th[/b]
i love the fifth element, so bring on the sci-fi

(Reply to this)

elziard writes:
on Mar 14 2007 11:21 AM

one of my top 25 films. i loved the visuals and the tone. when set next to 'Leon', it has such a vivid imagination and humor that it's hard to believe the two were from the same mind.
fantastic.

(Reply to this)

unbreakable_samurai writes:
on Mar 14 2007 11:26 AM

Very good movie, I would love to see another Sci-Fi film from Besson.

(Reply to this)

murray84 writes:
on Mar 14 2007 11:49 AM

didnt besson say he was "retired" after that kids movie?

(Reply to this)

stevegilpin writes:
on Mar 14 2007 11:54 AM

[b]CGI may be easy, but often lame as well[/b]
I really liked the Fifth Element as well. On special effects, though, I would have to say that CGI is often tedious and doesn't look as good as something that took forever and was painstakingly built.....make-up effects, miniatures, models, all these things have real "weight" onscreen, whereas giant CGI armies heading towards a giant CGI castle doesn't really do anything for me.
I think filmmakers are getting lazier as technology progresses. I think a hybrid of computer technology and more practical special effects should be used for these big Sci-Fi action films that we (and, admittedly, I) love going to see.
In any case, a new Sci-Fi from Luc Besson could be really excellent. I hope he does it.

(Reply to this)

timov writes:
on Mar 14 2007 01:52 PM

awesome. Besson is fantastic and the fifth element is one of my top 5 of all time. he just needs to bring moebius along for the second round as well.

(Reply to this)

PhreazerBurn writes:
on Mar 14 2007 03:50 PM

[b]I hope not...[/b]
I hope he isn't retired because he is one of my favorite directors.

(Reply to this)

Meow Skywalker writes:
on Mar 14 2007 07:41 PM

Lord, I seriously doubt he could possibly make anything worse than Arthur and the Invisibles.

But yeah, after some of the effects in The Fifth Element, cg effects would be a bit of a let down.

(Reply to this)

TheIceGhost writes:
on Mar 14 2007 09:01 PM

In reply to this comment (#858076)
RottenTomatoes DEFINITELY reported a couple months back that he did retire (or that Besson said he was going to). I was sad over it because Leon (or The Professional) is one of my all time favorite flicks. Now apparantly, he's back...some retirement. I won't complain though.

(Reply to this)

wilkiedriver writes:
on Mar 14 2007 09:59 PM

I appreciate "The Fifth Element" even more, but this was deja vu for me.

I saw it on TNT last week (I only have the crappy original DVD, so I prefer even the full-screen version), and I got to thinking, "This movie came out when Episode I was only in pre-production...so how in the hell does it still look great before the real CGI revolution started?"

Episode I sucked ass, but the tools and technology changed so much for the movie industry as whole, that you would have to sit down and amaze about how far we come...and how good "The Fifth Element" still looks after 10 years later.

(Reply to this)

RussRuss467913 writes:
on Mar 15 2007 09:05 AM

if le dernier combat wasnt sci fi what was it?

(Reply to this)

Kid_Ikarus writes:
on Mar 15 2007 09:59 AM

The Fifth Element is one of the greatest sci-fi movies ever, and i ADORE Eric Serra's score.

(Reply to this)

narfellus writes:
on Mar 15 2007 10:20 AM

In reply to this comment (#858077)
I agree, going the CGI would make me say, "oh, that looks like a cartoon effect." It's exactly what i thought of every inch of the new SW trilogy. don't get me wrong, i loved the 5th Element, i just don't want to see it go the route of most other supposedly "better" computer effects.

(Reply to this)

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