ChildCare Action Project:
Christian Analysis of American Culture (CAP)

Entertainment Media Analysis Report

MAR-074
The Fifth Element (1997)
PG-13
CAP Score: 61
CAP ID: 0.72

Thomas A. Carder
CAP President

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The Fifth Element (1997) CAP Thermometers Again I feel a little cheated by the analysis model I built. In my opinion, The Fifth Element (1997) should have been rated R due to all the nudity, partial nudity, sex, and flagrant pansexualism. However, due to the objectivity of the CAP Entertainment Media Analysis Model (the CAP Model), this movie earned a CAP Final Score equivalent to a PG-13 movie in the comparative baseline database of movies. One important revelation, though: we have insisted that if only one Investigation Area reveals a movie presents programming equivalent to R-rated movies in the comparative baseline database of movies then the entire movie should be considered R-rated. The Fifth Element is a good example of this rationale. The scoring in Sex/Homosexuality (as well as Murder/Suicide) revealed programming clearly equivalent to R-rated material from just three and four years ago.

The Fifth Element was indeed filled with violence but the violence was mainly due to murder (incorporated into the Murder/Suicide Investigation Area). Thus, the Wanton Violence/Crime (W) Investigation Area score seems relatively tame -- be not deceived, though. Impunity/Hate (I)(1) lost a bunch due to unacceptable behavior such as arrogance toward a mentor, coarse language, and lies. Sex/Homosexuality (S) lost everything -- all 100 starting points were evaporated quite soon into the movie due to nudity, long series of partial nudity, and, at the end of the movie, sexual intercourse with partial nudity. Drugs/Alcohol (D) did quite well losing only three points due to presentation of the use of drugs to control. Accounting of unacceptable programming in Offense to God (O)(2) was most difficult. The movie presented an all-powerful evil force which could vanquish a "supreme being" (ostensibly Jesus) if humans did not perform certain acts. Jesus is already victor against Satan -- Jesus is not vulnerable to anything. Murder/Suicide (M)(3) lost about half its starting 100 points due multiple murders of and by aliens.

In accordance with the comparative baseline data of the CAP Entertainment Media Analysis Model, The Fifth Element (1997) presented programming equivalent to R-rated material in Sex/Homosexuality and Murder/Suicide, PG-13 programming in Offense to God, and PG programming in Impunity/Hate. The Fifth Element (1997) was equivalent to G programming in Wanton Violence/Crime and Drugs/Alcohol. Thus, the movie was equivalent to 33% R-rated programing, 17% PG-13 programming, 17% PG programming, and 33% G programming.

Additional examples of unacceptable material included:

  • drugs to control
  • arrogance toward mentor
  • the use of God's name in vain without the three/four letter word vocabulary
  • other forms of harsh language
  • sexual innuendo
  • nudity
  • long series of partial nudity
  • cleavage
  • extended partial nudity
  • suggestive eye movements
  • camera angle to focus viewer on private regions
  • lies
  • hood strong-arm tactics
  • lustful injuries by an evil force
  • attempted murder
  • a great deal of stereotypical homosexuality/transvestism


    • (1) As noted in CAP Special Report-001, "Investigation Area and Scoring Trend," of the six CAP Investigation Areas, Impunity/Hate was the strongest presence in all four movie classifications. It has a strong revelation about the entertainment media.

    (2) The use of the three/four letter word vocabulary without God's name is incorporated into the Impunity/Hate Investigation Area. The use of God's name with or without the three/four letter word vocabulary is incorporated into the Offense to God Investigation Area. There is no duplication. As required of the Holy Scriptures, unless God's name is used with reverence to His glory and praise, its use is considered in vain, whether literal or euphemistic.

    (3) Only portrayal of successful murder or suicide are incorporated into Murder/Suicide. Presentation of attempts to commit murder or suicide, deaths by police action, and deaths by war are incorporated into Wanton Violence/Crime.


    Please remember we believe that if even one of the six Investigation Area scores for a movie is equivalent to the CAP comparative baseline database scoring range for R, PG-13, or PG material, the entire movie should be regarded as so rated.  For example, if only Wanton Violence/Crime earns a score equivalent to R but all other Investigation Areas earn a score equivalent to G, THERE IS R-RATED MATERIAL IN THE MOVIE AND YOUR KIDS WILL SEE IT AND HEAR IT IF THEY WATCH THE MOVIE!




    Additional reviews of this movie may be located at "Movie Review Query Engine at Telerama."




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    In the name of Jesus:
    Lord, Master, Teacher, Savior, God.

    Thomas A. Carder
    President
    ChildCare Action Project: Christian Analysis of American Culture (CAP)

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