PLOT: A dark force threatens Alpha, a vast metropolis and home to species from a thousand planets. Special operatives Valerian (Dane DeHaan) and Laureline (Cara Delevingne) must race to identify the marauding menace and safeguard not just Alpha, but the future of the universe.
REVIEW:Valerian and the City of A Thousand Planets gives us a different perspective on a story we've seen before, and while it's not a runaway success, it's not a complete failure either.
Right at the start, one of the most impressive things about the movie it's visual aesthetic. Everything on screen is impressively shot, with a extreme amount of detail paid to the world of Alpha.
The opening sequence of Valerian and the City of A Thousand Planets allows the audience the chance to see the world of Alpha grow throughout time.
Alpha begins as a simple space station situated near Earth, that continues to grow every few decades allowing it to become it's own gigantic world. The movie shows the comedic evolution of the space station into Alpha, with more alien races being welcome with the use of handshakes.
Once the world of Alpha is established, we're introduced to an alien race peacefully living out their existence, until they find their planet become home to damaged space crafts.
One thing I appreciated about the movie was the fact that it gives us a reversal to the perspective we've seen so often in fantasy space films. Typically planets are destroyed as collateral damaged for battling ships in their solar system, but what Valerian and the City of A Thousand Planets does is add consequences for the unnecessary destruction of these planets.
The movie gives value to damage that is otherwise seen as a side effect of battle.
This goes on to play a role in the last act of the film.
The chemistry between Dehaan and Delevingne adds a layer of flirtatiousness to their developing romance. Usually the woman is presented as pining after the man, who is traditionally seen as being more stoic; however it's Dehaan's titular character who's constantly trying to charm Delevingne's Laureline.
The two actors are incredibly comfortable with each other, with their humorous exchanges playing well and realistically building their relationship.
Delevingne is charming as she fights off DeHaan’s advances in clever ways, with their on-screen relationship feeling like those of a classic romantic comedy with touches of action as well.
If there is a shortcoming of the film, it is squarely with the dialogue and a few plot points. The dialogue, while humourous, often at times feels cringe-worthy, with even Dehaan and Delevingne suffering at instances with it's cheesy dialogue. Ultimately the young actors make it work for most part.
Singer, Rihanna makes a short appearance in the film as Bubble an alien performer, and while she is stunning to look at she is still finding her feet with movies. Her character is funny, can be charming, but their are times when the words spoken come off as wooden. It does leave a viewer wondering what it might have sounded like with another actor in the role, but Rihanna's performance isn't a total waste.
Director, Luc Besson has crafted an impressive film with the level of imagination and detail thoroughly enjoyable. The story, was one that based on the French science fiction comics "Valerian and Laureline"- written by Pierre Christin and illustrated by Jean-Claude Mézières - which is what worked as an initial inspiration for the director to do The Fifth Element.
Valerian and the City of A Thousand Planets is a beautifully crafted world that is fueled by several creative visionary artists, with many interesting and unusual creatures popping off the screen because of the expansive detailed paid to their character design.
The movie advertised in the trailers is the movie you're walking into and if you can limit your expectations to a popcorn fantasy space film, then you're more likely to enjoy it. It will definitely be a divisive movie experience for some audiences.
The visual effects are stunning, but the story may not work for everyone. It moves from a simple and comedic romantic partnership of two space cops, to a slightly convoluted plot about an alien race who may be an enemy to the humans.
While Valerian and the City of A Thousand Planets isn't the perfect movie, it's definitely a fun movie especially if you enjoy movies that look unlike any movies before.