Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets 3D
(2017)Cara Delevingne (Suicide Squad) and Dane DeHaan (Chronicle) lead this galactic sci-fi adventure from Luc Besson (The Fifth Element), based on the classic graphic novel series that's inspired countless films including Star Wars. Also stars Clive Owen (Children of Men) and Rihanna.... More
Valerian (DeHaan) and Laureline (Delevingne) are special operatives for the government of the human territories charged with maintaining order throughout the universe. Valerian has more in mind than a professional relationship with his partner - blatantly chasing after her with propositions of romance. But his extensive history with women, and her traditional values, drive Laureline to continuously rebuff him.
Under directive from their Commander (Owen), Valerian and Laureline embark on a mission to the breathtaking intergalactic city of Alpha, an ever-expanding metropolis comprised of thousands of different species from all four corners of the universe. Alpha’s seventeen million inhabitants have converged over time - uniting their talents, technology and resources for the betterment of all. Unfortunately, not everyone on Alpha shares in these same objectives; in fact, unseen forces are at work, placing our race in great danger.Hide
-
Directed by Luc Besson
Starring Dane DeHaan, Cara Delevingne, Clive Owen, Rihanna, Ethan Hawke, Rutger Hauer, Herbie Hancock
Written by Luc Besson (based on the comic book series by Pierre Christin and Jean-Claude Mézières)
Flicks Review
BY Steve Newall Flicks Writer
It’s not surprising that there are some visually interesting moments to behold in Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets. As thoroughly-documented elsewhere, Luc Besson’s space adventure is both the most expensive European film, and most expensive independent film, ever made. With much of The Fifth Element’s charm coming from being overstuffed with ideas and visually overloaded by Besson to joyously crazy proportions, you’d be forgiven from expecting the same here given the resources employed.... More
Disappointingly, Valerian falls into the trap of constantly trying to dazzle with CGI spectacle, the bombardment of information quickly becoming a mind-numbing chore to look at in 3D. What’s worse than the quantity of eyeball bombast is that so little of it is genuinely interesting, the number of beautiful cosmic shots and intriguing choices in landscape and composition outmatched by sub-Avatar, almost sub-Phantom Menace, creations and a seemingly incessant need to show off content that simply isn’t that great or original.
The film’s proliferation of over-familiar elements can’t help, with the source material having been picked over as far back as Star Wars. The stars of the film do little to distinguish themselves, either, but while the uninspiring pairing of Dane DeHaan and Cara Delevigne may well have contributed to Valerian’s poor box office performance, they’ve done well to turn in serviceable performances amid this mess. I even managed to forgive DeHaan’s weird Keanu Reeves-y inflection as he delivers clunky dialogue throughout. Mostly. And let’s not get started on Rihanna, who on the basis of her performance here should be kept as far away from other film sets as possible.
I’m sure Valerian will attain a cult following of sorts. And there’s some really interesting stuff that it does well - it’s just disappointing these moments are in such drastically short supply in what often feels like a barely functioning film.Hide
The Peoples' Reviews
Reviewed & Rated by
Your rating & review
Rate / Review this movieRate and/or review
Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets 3D
The Press Reviews
The City might be an interesting place to spend some time if a busy and chaotic story didn't keep getting in the way, and if we were allowed to hang out for a little while longer with Ethan Hawke and Rihanna. Full Review
Valerian is exuberant, extravagant, and generally likable. Yet many parts of the movie just don't work. Sticklers for things like acting and dialogue are likely to be dissatisfied. Full Review
When you enter the theatre, you can pick up your 3-D glasses with one hand and drop off your brain with the other. All in all, you might not consider it the worst exchange. Full Review
I worry that people will minimize Besson's achievement because of his herky-jerky script, but Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets is more than the sum of its effects. Full Review
If we're going to have space operas, let them sing in the strangest accents possible. Full Review
An expansive, expensive adventure whose creativity outweighs its more uneven elements. Full Review
The Razzies don't need to wait until the end of the year to anoint a winner for 2017. The Golden Turkey Awards should be republished with a new cover. Full Review
Care to comment?