10 Most Underrated Sci-Fi Action Movies

10. The Fifth Element

Expectations were ridiculously high for this Luc Besson feature, the film even receiving a preview showing at Cannes. This was most definitely not the market for this nonsensical bit of popcorn entertainment, a movie so overblown and so cartoonish that it is not surprising that it struggles in its excesses. The film though is much better on future viewings, the spectacular cinematography and roaring lead performance from Bruce Willis able to be appreciated over the campiness.

The film's plot centres around a mysterious fifth element that will dictate the fate of Earth, which takes the form of a female model. Milla Jovovich gives what can be only described as a bizarre interpretation of a super powerful being, who has the serious misfortune of running around her new surrounds half naked looking for help.

Thankfully that help comes from Bruce Willis' flying taxicab driver Korben Dallas, a former major who is effectively a futuristic John McClane. As an alien threat moves closer to wiping out the Earth, futuristic McClane and the super attractive element make their way to the planet Fhloston to recover the remaining elements and save the planet.

Willis is great fun in a measured performance that contrasts with the excesses in pretty much every other performance. Chris Tucker and Gary Oldman both give insanely over the top performances that can be enjoyed as a curiosity on future viewings. But it is the stunning attention to detail in the cinematography that is the highlight, especially of the flying traffic jams.