The Fifth Element

by Terry Bisson

Every five thousand years, a door opens between the dimensions. In one dimension lies the universe and all of its multitude of varied life forms.

In another exists an element made not of earth, air, fire or water, but of an anti-energy, anti-life. This "thing", this darkness, waits patiently at the threshold of the universe for an opportunity to extinguish all life and all light.

Every five thousand years, the universe needs a hero, and in New York City of the 23rd Century, a good hero is hard to find.

The Fifth Element, a timeless story about love and survival, heroes and villains, good and evil, set in a strangely familiar yet intoxicatingly different 23rd Century. The film stars Bruce Willis, Gary Oldman, Ian Holm, Milla Jovovich. The Fifth Element is written directed by Luc Besson, the visually innovative director of La Femme Nikita and The Professional.

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction, Aliens, Media Tie In, Romance, Fantasy, Roman

256 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Terry Ballantine Bisson was an American science fiction and fantasy author best known for his short stories, including "Bears Discover Fire" (1990), which which won both the Hugo and Nebula awards, as well as They're Made Out of Meat (1991), which has been adapted for video often.

Adapted from Wikipedia.

Reviews

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I am biased - I will say it now I love the film and to be honest the novel really cannot do much wrong either. Yes its hardly challenging - I found myself reading it in a day from cover to cover but still I loved every page of it.

Yes there are minor variations which I think were made more from a practical cinematography perspective than for any other reason and to be honest did not detract from the story at all.

The book to me captures the visual spectacle that Luc Besson envisaged (or is it that the film is so firmly lodged in my mind it takes very little to invoke those images so rapidly) either way reading the book felt like I was right there again in the cinema reliving the film all over again.

Ironically I find myself in the situation of rather than giving anything away - the film after all is so well known that what is there left to give away and the book really does follow (with only a few minor variations) the film so if you know the film the book holds no surprises.

However if you enjoy the film - reading the book is a great way of drawing out the fun just a little bit longer.

[César Bustíos · Rating 4 out of 5]

¿De qué sirve salvar vidas, cuando veo lo que los humanos hacéis con ellas?

Qué decir sobre este libro basado en la película de culto. Una de mis favoritas, dicho sea de paso.

Pues, en resumen, que no ha defraudado. Leer la novelización ha sido una experiencia nueva, es lo inverso de leer el libro y luego ver la adaptación; mientras la lees es como vivir la película nuevamente en tu cabeza con algunos detalles, sensaciones y descripciones que puede que pasen desapercibidas en la pantalla. Es cierto que tiene incongruencias muy sutiles pero que no duelen casi nada. También alguna que otra información que desconocía y otras cuantas que tal vez jamás se llegarán a conocer.

La novela está basada en el screenplay de la película, y la película está basada en la historia que fue escribiendo el mismo Luc Besson desde los 16 años. La prosa de Bisson está bien; este señor tampoco es cualquier escritor de media caña, tiene Hugo, Nebula y Locus. Tal vez a los personajes les falte un centavo de complejidad y a las historia dos centavos de background pero entrega lo que promete. El señor objetividad tendrá que perdonar mi carga emocional.

[Laura L. Van Dam · Rating 2 out of 5]

Generalmente, cuando un libro se adapta a película, la película no es tan buena como el libro. Aparentemente, la inversa también se cumple, al menos con esta adaptación novelizada de la película de 1997.
Es casi tan emocionante como si un amigo te contara la película después de verla y tiene el mismo nivel de profundidad. Tiene pocas diferencias con el filme, es cierto, pero la mayoría en vez de sumar, restan. Por ejemplo, el cambio de nombre de Ruby Rod a Loc Rhod no obedece a ningún cambio en la trama. Tampoco lo son los chistes malos ("Klaatu verada niktu", ¿en serio? ¿era necesario?) o la inexplicable dilución de Leeloo en un personaje secundario aguado y sin gracia. Y los pasajes líricos/románticos cuando Korben piensa en Leeloo... no no no.
Hay muy poca info nueva, que podría haber sido lo más jugoso del libro; o al menos es lo que uno esperaría si contratara a un ganador del Hugo y del Nebula para escribir esto.
Una buena: se lee rápido, no es muy largo ni muy demandante.
Una mala: este mismo señor escribió la novelización de la espantosa película de Johnny Mnemonic (además de innecesaria porque la película ya está basada en una historia de William Gibson)

[Mira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Normally books of movies are a bit hit an miss. This writer however, has won Hugo and Nebula awards for his work and I do love his turn of phrase, I know these should go in the quotes section (and I will put them there!) but do allow me to indulge!

The very first page is an absolute delight but too long to include in its entirety - just pick it up and have a look, you'll like it!

On the silver-tongued, super green DJ...

Through the door came a being of intense vivacity, impeccable sartorial integrity, and intermittent intelligibility.

On an attractive view..

He raised his sunglasses and saw a young woman in an impossibly brief dress with an improbably welcoming smile

On love..

This woman was truly what he wanted, and therefore he was truly afraid for the first time.

Bisson does a great job of keeping up with the action as well as keeping the descriptive text sumptuous and alive. He writes pithy sentences that are a delight to read and put a smile on my face.

A great book to start 2013 with

[M. Malmierca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sólo decir que es una digna adaptación de la película que tanto disfruté en los años noventa. Aunque, obviamente, es muy difícil superar el efecto sorpresa, me ha hecho disfrutar al recordar personajes y escenas apasionantes de la película. Quién la lea se divertirá si no hace comparaciones innecesarias.

[Stacey Yecats Stacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Fifth Element has been my favorite movie since I fell asleep halfway through it in my living room in 1997 watching it with my parents. I then in short order destroyed our VHS copy from watching it too often, have purchased the soundtrack several times, owned every iteration and updated DVD release and even attended the 20th anniversary showing at a movie theater in New York City.

I tell you all this because — you have to LOVE the movie. Don’t read the book of you haven’t at least watched the movie once. Just don’t do it.

The book is an interesting supplemental material because it includes a couple of details that either were in the original script and possibly cut for time or perhaps some filler on the writer’s part.

It’s like reading a high schooler’s synopsis of the story — there are a fair number of typos and grammatical errors (I’m usually excited to be aware enough to find one, but after about 6-8 it starts slipping into vaguely amused annoyance) and never lets you forget how PeRfEcT lEeLoO pErFeCtLy wAlKs hEr PeRfEct BoDy On PeRfEcT LeGs every time.

It’s heavy handed in an otherwise barren sea of description.

So it isn’t the worst thing — it’s far from the best — it’s an easy day read and there are spots of enjoyment to be had if you’re a fan of the Fifth Element — just go into it with the knowledge it’s basically just a shot for shot transcription that comes off on the blander side.

[Jazmín · Rating 2 out of 5]

Si no viste la película, no leas este libro.

Se lee rápido, pero porque es la película escrita con pocos detalles. Lo que me resulta extraño, porque al tener una película en la cuál basarse, no se preocuparon por escribir algo realmente bueno.

Es leíble. Una buena lectura rápida.

Lo que me molestó es que no le hayan dado más hojas a Leeloo de desarrollo, se perdió como personaje.

[Leila Anani · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rather disappointed with this novelization of the Fifth Element - its based on the original screenplay but adds very little and certainly explains nothing.

I did like the description of waste management - That there isn't any - the city sprouts upward from all the garbage - that's a rather nice innovation that didn't particularly come across in the movie.

There are a few discrepancies obviously changed from the original script - Ruby Rhod is called Loc Rhod. Leeloo is given clothes in the lab - so we don't see the bandages for very long. However the biggest change is the dialogue - almost all the quotable lines - Autowash! Multi-pass! etc. are missing and its like this novel takes the fifth element - ditches the humour and of course the visuals - there's very little description and just presents the bare bones. It does make it very easy to breeze through - this has a lightening pace, but I wanted more.

Some of Leeloo's ancient language looks mighty familiar, I don't know if the author was trying to be tongue in cheek but "Klaatu barata nikto" - seriously?

Overall then, this adds very little to the film, and misses a lot of the humour and cool dialogue. As novelizations go its ok, but should have been so much better.

[Garland · Rating 2 out of 5]

My father bought this when I was 13, while we were in my grandmother's house in the country. I had read everything that wasn't Wilkie Collins or a Children's Encyclopedia in the house, and I needed something distracting.

I was forever and always put off novelizations.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

This film novelization was a fast-paced easy read that I enjoyed. It was almost totally the movie with a couple little changes. I wish I would have gotten more depth into the characters, but for the small amount of time it took to read it was worth it.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read it in Spanish (claro)

[Kiss Dávid · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was fun to read. A couple of changes for the movie, but it was refreshing.

[Melissa ♥ Dog/Wolf Lover ♥ Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars!



I love this movie so much as Milla is one of my fav actresses and I was thrilled to find this for 50 cents at my used bookstore. I just wish it had pictures in it like some movie books do, but it’s okay I still have the cool cover. The book is good too 😏

Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾

[Marina T. Firefly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Novelización de la película El quinto elemento, sencillita y rápida de leer.

[Ayelén · Rating 2 out of 5]

Recuerdo esta como una de mis pelis favoritas de chica. Esta novelización del guión no aporta 💫absolutamente nada nuevo💫 y parece escrito por un adolescente estallado de hormonas que en su vida tuvo cerca a una mujer.

La historia en sí es entretenida, así que se lee rápido.

[Theo Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Korben Dallas stars as the main protagonist in the Movie-go-Book, act-rom-com-dram-scifi-thriller, that is known as The Fifth Element. It is just an ordinary day for Korben Dallas, but just as his life gets worse, an angel falls from the sky. Leeloo A.K.A The Fifth Element is on a mission to stop the darkness from destroying all life. And although the idea sounds mass-produced, the book delivers a smooth plot with an original plot. As the story progresses you read the famous quotes from Korben (played by Bruce Willis) that have become such an icon for this movie.

The reason I've read this is because I've seen the movie and I thought it would be funny to read the book as well. The book is 99% just like the movie missing out the line: "Aziz, Light!" which was changed to "Hey Aziz!". A bit disappointing because it was my favourite quote but I still enjoyed it.


My favourite character was Zorg. In the movie, Zorg is played by Gary Oldman and his wittiness and humour is written everywhere during this novel; and is a delight to read.

My favourite quote was definitely "'We're saved' said Cornelius. - - - - 'I'm dead' said Zorg" because the opposite use made me laugh. It was pure brilliance.

This book fills the category: Book that has been turned into a movie

Read this book when you see it... trust me...

[Joseph · Rating 3 out of 5]

so when i first picked up this book i was like i soo noe this book. turns out i did because i have seen it b4 lol. the movie was basically with bruce willis and chris rock but the book is basically very very similar to the movie or vice versa. anyways the main plot was that this cop is trying to save the world by gathering stones from a female and then placing them in a temple so that leeloo the fifth element can combine the otehr four elemetns and destroy the great evil that would kill the earth. basically the movie and the book have similar traits too. tho they arent too different i would prefer the book over the movie in just that the book captured more of the story than the movie. if you have seen teh movie, i think you should read the book first and then watch the movie lol.

[Kimmi · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a good book but entirely based on the 1995 draft movie script which never was originally used. Do not take the phrases seriously that are spoken by Leeloo as actual words from her language as almost all of it has never been published in the book, "The Story Of The Fifth Element". The book was written by Luc Besson. The phrase, "Klaatu barata nikto." was spoken in two sci-fi movies, "The Day The Earth Stood Still" which was made in 1951 and another called, "Army Of Darkness" which was made in 1992. The original phrase was a command to a robot named Gort to cease attacking. The original phrase was written as, "Klaatu barada nikto."

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A movie novelization is a book written based on the screenplay of a film. I have loved movie novelizations since I was in middle school. It's very different from reading a book that a movie is based on. Movie novelizations usually end up being pretty close to what you see on the screen though you will occasionally read some scenes that ended up on the cutting room floor prior to the film being released. Novelizations fill in some of the gaps that are left in the movies.

[Jude-marie Green · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like to read novelizations to get clarification on the more obscure points. This novelization didn't help. The evil black oil? Plot structure (why'd they choose Earth?) Nuthin. A bit more detail on Plavalaguna, which I appreciated. Also, I liked the changes the movie made to this (Ruby Rod, rather than Loc Rhod; certain pieces of Ruby Rod's show, etc.) Still... a favorite story, a good read.

[Gemma Swan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me ha encantado El Quinto Elemento. Y admito que es muy posible que el factor nostalgia haya influído mucho gracias a la película pero, sí que os puedo asegurar que, la hayáis visto o no, la trama es muy amena y entretenida. Sólo cambian algunas pequeñas cositas, detalles prácticamente sin importancia, así que es muy disfrutable. Seguir leyendo>>

[Javier H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Libro basado en el guión de la película, está muy bien logrado, un ex militar que conduce un taxi (Korben Dallas) se ve involucrado en una misión para salvar a la tierra de un oscuro poder, durante su aventura se encuentra con Leeloo una extraterrestre "perfecta" y parten a su misión de salvar el mundo.

Añade algunos puntos cómicos que no están en la película lo que hace que gane bastante.

[Hortensia · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 estrellas porque no soy muy objetiva con este libro. La película siempre me ha gustado mucho, de hecho es de mis favoritas, así que el libro no podía quedarse atrás y más cuando está basado en el guión de la película.

Amo esta historia por Korben y Leeloo, pero también porque es divertida, tiene acción, un poco de intriga y aventuras; para mí es una trama redonda.

[for-much-deliberation ... · Rating 4 out of 5]

Damn I loved this movie, saw it qiute a few times.

[LKM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though it's the novelization of the movie (which usually vary in quality from very good to very bad), I loved this book. It was a fun, easy read and fast paced. I loved the way it was written.

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

good one. I love this genre! if there's a book of a movie I like, I read it.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is fantastic and i recommend this for everyone.

[Michelle Hanson · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok.. I would put it in middle range.. never did like Sci Fi that is comedy..

[J. Mauldin · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was nearly a copy of the film other than it being colorful and immersive. Too rushed. Worth what I paid for it, $2.50.