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    • BLU-RAY REVIEW

    Fifth Element, The

    Featured In Issue 124, October 2007

    Picture4.5
    SoundNR
    WSR Score
    Basic Information on new release titles is posted as soon as titles are announced. Once reviewed, additional data is added to the database.
    (Studio/Distributor):
    Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
    (Catalog Number):
    21520
    (MPAA Rating):
    PG-13
    (Rating Reason):
    For intense sci-fi violence, some sexuality, and brief nudity.
    (Retail Price):
    $28.95
    (Disc Type):
    Single Side, Dual Layer (BD-50)
    (Widescreen Edition):
    Yes
    (Full Screen Edition):
    No
    (Running Time In Minutes):
    126
    (Color Type):
    Color
    (Chaptered/Scene Access):
    Yes
    (Closed Captioned):
    Yes
    (Regional Coding):
    1
    (Theatrical Year):
    1997
    (Theatrical Release):
    Yes
    (Direct-To-Video Release):
    No
    (Disc Release Date):
    07/17/07
    (THX® Digitally Mastered):
    No
    (Director):
    Luc Besson
    (Screenplay/Written By):
    (Story):
    (Music):
    (Director Of Photography):
    (Production Designer):
    (Visual Effects):
    (Costume Designer):
    (Editor):
    (Supervising Sound Editors):
    (Re-Recording Mixers):
    (Executive Producers):
    (Co-Producers):
    (Producers):
    (Academy Awards):
    (Principal Photography):
    (Theatrical Aspect Ratio):
    (Measured Disc Aspect Ratio):
    (Disc Soundtrack):
    Dolby TrueHD 5.1, Dolby Digital 5.1
    (Theatrical Sound):
    (Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
    (DTS Bit Rate):
    (Dolby Digital Bit Rate):
    (Additional Languages):
    (French Language):
    (Spanish Language):
    (Chinese Language):
    (Subtitles):
    (Cantonese Language):
    (Mandarin Language):
    (Japanese Language):
    (Italian Language):
    (German Language):
    (Portuguese Language):

    Bruce Willis stars as Korben Dallas, a 23rd century airborne cabbie who finds himself in a fight to save the world. It has been prophesied that, at this time, only the alignment of the four elements—earth, fire, air, water—plus a mysterious fifth element, will have the ability to stop the forces of evil. When a mysterious woman (Jovovich) literally falls into Dallas' cab, he learns of the prophecy, that she is The Fifth Element—and he must help her save the world.

    Special features on this disc are the same as on the previously released Blu-ray Disc. The disc reviewed here is Sony Pictures' re-release of the movie on Blu-ray Disc. If you previously purchased the originally released disc (catalog number 15018), you may be eligible for Sony Pictures' free disc exchange program. Phone 800 860 2878 to find out more.DR

    The 2.35:1 Blu-ray Disc is much improved over the previous release, with noticeably improved resolution that results in a much more enjoyable experience. Black levels are still deep, but shadow delineation has been improved to provide more depth in the imagery. Contrast seems to be slightly better balanced, also aiding in the sense of depth, and colors seem to be slightly deeper and intense. Mild edge enhancement can be noticed, but it is only distracting on the higher-contrast transitions. (Danny Richelieu)

    The uncompressed linear PCM and lossless Dolby® TrueHD™ 5.1-channel encodings still have the same problems as the previous release, with noticeable clipping and distortion heard in the most intense moments. When the levels are not as fervid, fidelity is very pure and dynamic range is impressive, leading to an enjoyable experience. The LFE channel is incorporated well with music and effects. The Dolby encoding seems to have slightly improved dynamic range over the PCM encoding, but it is slight. (Danny Richelieu)

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