- "Negative, I am a meat popsicle."
- ―Korben's response to the police
Korben Dallas is a former Special Forces soldier for the Federated Army and the main protagonist of the movie The Fifth Element. Upon retirement, Dallas worked as a cab driver for six months until he was fired by Zorg's company. However, despite being chased by police, the army hired him again to retrieve the four Stones to prevent Evil from consuming Earth.
Biography[]
Korben was suddenly thrust into saving the universe when Leeloo, wrapped in thermal bandages, fell from the sky through the roof of his cab. After a thrilling car chase, including police gunfire, Leeloo tells Korben to take her to the priest Vito Cornelius before passing out.
When they arrive at the priest's apartment, Cornelius realizes that Leeloo is the Fifth Element, and he hustles from the room. Korben, perhaps trying to wake her, hesitantly gives her a kiss, resulting in Leeloo wielding his own gun against him, saying, "Seno akta gamat!" Realizing it was probably a bad idea, Korben apologizes and tries to introduce himself, asking for her name in return. Vito returns with his apprentice, among other things, and asks Korben his name before quickly hustling him off the premises.
After returning to his apartment in South Brooklyn New York 5000 block 281-53, and after explaining to Finger why he hadn't shown up, he orders food from a flying street vendor. While eating, he receives notice that he's been fired from the cab company. Dallas gets a call from his mother, asking him why he didn't tell her he'd won the Gemini Croquette Contest. This came a surprise to him, as he hadn't entered any such contest. He is then visited by General Munro of the Federated Army, telling him they re-enlisted him and rigged the contest to make sure Korben is sent to Fhloston Paradise to retrieve the four elemental Stones from the diva Plavalaguna. While in the apartment, Leeloo rings the door buzzer. Remembering that the government was after her, Dallas hides the general and his compatriots in his refrigerator before letting her in. Cornelius, having learned where the Stones are, pulls a gun on him, telling him they need the tickets to Fhloston for the same purpose.
Suddenly, the apartment alarm goes off signaling a police control. Again, Korben is faced with hiding multiple people in his small apartment. After quickly hiding Leeloo in the shower above the fridge and Vito in the retractable, self-making bed, he complies with the police. Once they leave, Dallas frees a soaking wet Leeloo and the plastic wrapped Cornelius and offers them coffee. Striking him on the head, Cornelius takes the tickets and leaves with Leeloo. Korben then slowly gets up and puts the trophy on a shelf.
Powers/Abilites[]
- Able to pilot multiple types of fighter-bombers
- Use of multiple weapon types
- Hand-to-hand combat
- Knowledge of explosive weapons
- Knowledge of Mangalore culture
Trivia[]
- The original case that housed the Elemental Stones is a Corbin suitcase, a luxury brand of luggage.
- When General Munro shows up to hand Korben his mission, one of the qualities he mentions is "Of the members in your unit, you're the only one alive." Yet, earlier in the movie, Fingers says "You forgettin' who sat next to you for a thousand missions? I know how you drive." It seems possible the general was mistaken, and there's maybe two members of the unit left.
- During the scene where Leeloo and Cornelius go to Korben's apartment, Ian Holm mistakenly calls Bruce "Mr. Wallace"; Bruce blithely corrects him, simply saying "Dallas" in response. Since the rest of the scene went so well, it was decided to leave the blooper in place.