Fifth Element’s Zorg does the Marvel Thanos story with much more style

The villainous Zorg’s small stature in The Fifth ElementHe does not let his dreams get in the way. “If you want something done,” he mutters partway through the film, “do it yourself.” Though evil, murderous, and selfish, the guy makes a point.

Science fiction has the distinction of having villains that are larger than life. While characters who have their roots in the real world run the risk to overestimate their worth and abilities to cause chaos, they can be anchored in the present. Consider Ivan Drago. Rocky IV. Agent Smith may be symbolically representing the Soviet side to the Cold War. However, in reality he poses a threat only to certain people, in a contained environment. Agent Smith, however, is a different story. The MatrixThis is a threat for humanity and consciousness, for everyone everywhere. It’s a substitute for the Matrix with all its vast possibilities of destruction.

In space, no one can hear you scream — but that doesn’t stop an evil-doer from trying. Polygon is celebrating sci-fi villainy this week because somebody has (or else).

Zorg is the result. Masterfully overacted by Gary Oldman in Luc Besson’s 1997 science fiction space opera, Zorg is the perfect example of what happens when middle management gets a little too drunk with limited power.

The Fifth ElementZorg serves as an agent for the big, evil force which tries to wipe out all life on the planet every 5,000 year. Zorg on Earth serves as the head of a large corporation. He flippantly lays off a million of his workers in one of his first appearances on screen, which includes the film’s hero, cab driver Korben Dallas (Bruce Willis). His overall lack of interest in other people’s emotional well-being is evident, but he does have a certain streak that advocates for the financial well-being of others. He isn’t looking after anyone else, but he does advocate for energizing our economy through destruction and chaos.

Aside from his selfishness, Zorg seems to be guided by French economist Claude-Frédéric Bastiat’s parable of the broken window, the same argument over 100 years prior to The Fifth Element. A window that is not broken is considered to be inoperable. This means no businesses are being started and there is no possibility of getting goods and/or services traded. If a window is broken there will be glaziers and suppliers as well as drivers who work to correct the issue. Every one of them gets paid, which in turn drives more money into our economy. Zorg attempts to achieve the same result in the film using automated vacuums and a drink glass (which seemed futuristic back in 1997). Though this economic parable is widely considered a fallacy, within Zorg’s little world, that type of chaos would actually make a lot of profit for him.

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As we see later, one of Zorg’s many industries is weapons. There is no better way to make more money than by creating chaos and destruction in the whole galaxy. Zorg may not be aware of the suffering and lives that have been lost, but his plan to help the baddie might make Zorg and his associates lots of money.

Zorg isn’t the only evil villain who has some logic behind his motives for doing his wicked deeds. Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan) in Black Panther One of the most recent opponents to be considered in the right is He travels to Wakanda in order to contest the crown. However, he does this lawfully within the laws of the country and the ethical foundation for his claim. Killmonger is returning to correct a wrong done against him, having been removed from his blood line. Were the story of Wakanda told from his perspective, Killmonger could be shaded as the hero and T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) the man unlawfully on the throne of the advanced African nation. Killmonger is only interested in what he owes. His drive is driven only by the desire to be right and he feels compelled to do what’s best for him. He is not seeking to change the world or destroy anything, other than T’Challa’s world.

Thanos, a MCU that is more like Zorg, would be a better choice. While he too wanted to see the end of all human life in the universe, he was not very clear about his motives. While resources may have been scarce in some places, he believes that the depleting reserves are widespread enough to warrant such drastic measures. He cared so deeply about this. Although he tries to convince people that he is a protector and the only one who sees the need for a large decision to preserve it, no one has appointed him as the Guardian of the Galaxy.

Zorg on the other side is not afraid to take responsibility for his actions. Zorg is completely invested in the scheme to make more money. He never needs to apologize for his actions or come up with an alternative argument. Zorg is determined to have what he desires and will do anything to make it happen.

In the end, things don’t turn out so great for Zorg. Zorg believes he is the winner in the war to control the universe. He also thinks he can win the bid to be the big baddie, and smile the whole way to the bank. His cockiness, underestimating of everyone around him and his arrogance ultimately lead him to blow up as though he won. Zorg’s demise makes way for a happy ending to the movie, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that he was completely wrong.

Zorg’s motivations are clearer than Thanos’, and yet not any smaller in scope. Both these villains want widespread havoc and massive species loss, but Zorg’s reasoning is more believable and understandable. All this he does with great grace.