Grammy-nominated singer The Fifth Element, one of the most iconic characters from the cult classic. Released in 1997, The Fifth Element grossed over $260 million at the box office and received polarized reviews from critics for its campy tone and over-the-top style. Nevertheless, the film's reputation has grown over time, and it has a dedicated following among sci-fi fans.
The Fifth Element follows Korben Dallas (Bruce Willis) and he's made to work with the titular fifth element, Leeloo (Milla Jovovich) to recover the four stones that represent the four other elements that can stop a great evil that is threatening Earth. Along the way, they meet Diva Plavalaguna, an alien opera singer who has blue skin and an array of tentacles, who is guarding the stones. The character represents the unique feel of The Fifth Element, as her singing performance makes up one of the most memorable scenes of the film.
In honor of the Halloween season, Janelle Monáe took to her Instagram to reveal her incredible The Fifth Element costume. The post features several pictures of the actor dressed in her incredibly detailed costume of the iconic ing character, Diva Plavalaguna, as she goes blue to recreate the extraterrestrial. Check out the pictures above:
How The Fifth Element Became A Cult Classic
The Fifth Element has endured in popularity over the years due to its goofy sense of humor and campy delivery. Even though The Fifth Element never got a sequel, it delivered enough new ideas and memorable moments to give it a recognizable place in pop culture in the 25 years since its release. Monáe's attention to detail shows her deep appreciation for the film and its impact on the cultural zeitgeist.
Many feel that modern sci-fi has the problem of being overly serious or overly cynical, and it's important to the pure joy that can be found in the imagination of the genre. The Fifth Element may be ed for being very campy, but it has a clear appreciation for its influences and the genre itself, giving it a sense of buoyancy that other sci-fi doesn't have. Monáe's costume clearly had so much time and attention put into it, and thus it serves as a reminder that inspiration can come from anywhere, with The Fifth Element is still alive and well in the cultural memory.
Source: Janelle Monae/Instagram
