VALERIAN AND THE CITY OF A THOUSAND PLANETS (2017) MOVIE NEWS & REVIEW

 valerian and the city of a thousand planets (2017) movie

Genre             |  Science Fiction

Classification   |   M

Running time   |   137 minutes

Released         |   10 August 2017

cast

Dane DeHaan ...  Valerian
Cara Delevingne ...  Laureline
Clive Owen ... Commander Arun Filitt
Rihanna ... Bubble
Ethan Hawke ... Jolly the Pimp
Herbie Hancock ... Defence Minister
Kris Wu ... Sergeant Neza
Sam Spruell ... General Okto-Bar
Alain Chabat ... Bob the Pirate
Rutger Hauer ... President

director

Luc Besson

writer

​Pierre Christin ... (based on the comic book series "Valerian and Laureline" by) and
Jean-Claude Mézières ... (based on the comic book series "Valerian and Laureline" by)
 
Luc Besson ... (screenplay by)

cinematographer

Thierry Arbogast ​

music

Alexandre Desplat

film editor

​Julien Rey

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box office result

Worldwide             $​​225,874,228  

Australia                 $​​​​​​​​​​​2,315,939

North America       $​​​41,189,488

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the best dialogue

Sergeant Laureline: I didn't come here to get a makeover.

Major Valerian: Bring on the beach!

Commander Arun Filitt: A soldier will always choose death over humiliation.

VALERIAN AND THE CITY OF A THOUSAND PLANETS (2017) MOVIE IMAGES

Images

Posters

Images

Posters

VALERIAN AND THE CITY OF A THOUSAND PLANETS (2017) STORY SYNOPSIS

​In the 28th century, special operatives Valerian (Dane DeHaan) and Laureline work together to maintain order throughout the human territories. Under assignment from the minister of defense, the duo embarks on a mission to Alpha, an ever-expanding metropolis where diverse species gather to share knowledge and culture. When a dark force threatens the peaceful city, Valerian and Laureline must race against time to identify the menace that also jeopardizes the future of the universe.

VALERIAN AND THE CITY OF A THOUSAND PLANETS (2017) MOVIE REVIEW

Reviewed by Mark Geraghty   |   Review date 10 August 2017
​Pop Movee Rating ⭐⭐½

Luc Besson has sold VALERIAN AND THE CITY OF A THOUSAND PLANETS to the world as his passion project; a movie he's wanted to make since he read the original graphic novel. In some respects, it's obvious that he loves the subject matter. Valerian’s physical and virtual designs are wildly imaginative and reflect the spirit of the source material. The translation of image from page to screen is awe-inspiring and Besson truly makes an effort to give his viewer a genuine cinematic experience. However, the film’s diverse cast is where Valerian stumbles. With the exception of Cara Delevingne as Laureline, many of the characters seem miscast. With a cast that features Dane DeHaan and Clive Owen, this is especially disappointing, as both have greater talent than what is on show in Valerian.

DeHaan’s Valerian and Delevingne’s Laureline are intergalactic agents charged with the most dangerous missions imaginable. Jumping from one star system to another, they've become an inseparable pair with a faultless track record. Like most Super Agents, Valerian is also something of a lothario with an accompanying reputation. It's not something that endears him to Laureline, but it doesn't stop him from attempting to woo her (on an almost never-ending basis). This is perhaps the biggest flaw of Valerian. DeHaan, as the titular character, doesn't have the looks, the presence or the inherent charm to make Valerian the loveable rogue the audience needs him to be in order to empathize with his desire to be with Laureline. Valerian comes across more like a really talented kid who seems desperate to score with his hot colleague! DeHaan is a better actor than the performance he gives in Valerian. Whether Besson pursued him or he legitimately won the role, it should have been clear early in the production that he was not the right choice. Where Besson nailed the casting of The Fifth Element, the Director’s much-loved 1997 Science Fiction adventure, his casting sense seems to have taken leave of him with Valerian. 

The casting problem also extends to Clive Owen, as Commander Arun Filitt, and Rihanna, as Bubble, an intergalactic entertainer who becomes embroiled in Valerian and Laureline’s mission. Clive Owen is a wonderful actor. Whether he’s playing a title role or just a supporting part, the majority of the time he nails his performance. It’s unusual to see him turn in a performance that is flat, but he does so in Valerian. He in no way, shape or form manages to convince the viewer of his character’s motivation or action; despite being absolutely central to the film’s finale. Likewise, Rihanna is all at sea. In fairness, Bubble has a CGI element and it would have been a challenge for an experienced actor to make the character’s human form seem consistent with its computer-enhanced elements, so it was a big ask for a part-time player, despite her experience with music videos, to make the character work. Rihanna's presence seems like a piece of stunt-casting designed to provide Valerian with additional appeal beyond Besson’s core audience. Of the supporting players, only Ethan Hawke manages to make an impression playing a Pimp called, not surprisingly, Jolly the Pimp!

So, where do this leave Besson? He’s definitely had more success as a Writer and a Producer, but, given his directing resume, he’s still averaging better than most in that field. There’s plenty of Directors who would be happy with movies like The Fifth Element, The Big Blue, Leon: The Professional and Lucy on their resume. It seems that Valerian is less of a passion project and more of a White Whale for the Frenchman. His skill in the producing and distribution space means that the pain of the film’s Box Office performance will be shared by many. But, 137 minutes of stunning visuals, indifferent acting and a somewhat clunky screenplay is not what people expect from someone with the talent of Besson. It’s a shame because his sensibility for the genre, his grasp of the popular culture and his affection for cinema could have delivered something truly astounding. Just like Laureline says at one point in the movie, “It’s our mission that doesn’t make sense, Sir.” Indeed it is...

VALERIAN AND THE CITY OF A THOUSAND PLANETS MOVIE (2017) USEFUL LINKS

​Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets (2017) - IMDb
​Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets - Wikipedia
​Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets (2017) - Rotten Tomatoes

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