The Fifth Element (2-Disc Ultimate Edition) (DVD)

Sony Pictures knows what to focus on when they make "Deluxe" editions of their films as the one thing they go for first is the quality of the film and then features second as this couldn't be any more evident than on their Ultimate Edition of The Fifth Element.

Featuring a DTS soundtrack and Sony's signature Superbit process this DVD looks and sounds fantastic as Milla Jovovich and Bruce Willis set out to save the 23rd century from complete destruction in a futuristic world brought to life by helmer Luc Besson.

Honestly, I had not seen this film since it first came out way back in 1997 and that wasn't because I was avoiding it or hated it, it just never fell back onto my radar, but this is a fun film with an intriguing look and feel.

This is a film prime for the Superbit treatment and the first disc is completely reserved for the high bit-rate production along with a seemingly worthless trivia track unless you are interested in information that would, could and should never be useful.

However for you feature fanatics disc two comes packed with goodies, over two hours worth for that matter. You can check out featurettes designed towards creature creation, the digital and visual effects used in the film including the massive miniature of a 23rd century New York, Jovovich's screen tests (no audio), costume and set tests, and a look at the two French artists behind the look of the film to name a few.

Oddly enough the only one involved in the film that doesn't offer up an opinion on the disc is director Luc Besson, but Jovovich and Willis are there to offer up their thoughts in the newly produced features (2004).

Bottom Line:

This DVD is worth it for the film itself, I personally got really bored with the features as it all seemed old hat to me and the narration was like a warm glass of milk that would have had me snoring if it hadn't been for three cups of coffee. After seeing creature effects for such films as The Lord of the Rings and Alien this stuff really doesn't hold much interest and screen tests with no sound really aren't that interesting when you see mouths moving and no sound coming out.

However, don't let the features deter you from this title at all as the film and its presentation are well worth the dollar if aliens, space ships, Gary Oldman as a bad guy and sci-fi action are your bag.