Valerian: Movie Review and Spoiler
Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets is the visually spectacular new adventure film from Luc Besson, the legendary director of The Professional, The Fifth Element, La Femme Nikita and Lucy. Based on the groundbreaking comic book series that inspired a generation of artists, writers and filmmakers come a vision a lifetime in the making.
In the year 2740, Valerian (Dane Dehaan, The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Chronicle) and Laureline (Cara Delevingne, Suicide Squad, Paper Towns) comprise a team of special operatives charged with maintaining order throughout the human territories. Under assignment from the Minister of Defense (Oscar and Grammy-award winning composer Herbie Hancock), the two embark on a mission to the astonishing city of Alpha — an ever-expanding metropolis where species from all over the universe have converged over centuries to share knowledge, intelligence and cultures with one another.
There is a mystery at the center of Alpha, a dark force that threatens the peaceful existence of the City of a Thousand Planets, and Valerian and Laureline must race to identify the marauding menace and safeguard not just Alpha, but the future of the universe.
Starring alongside DeHaan and Delevingne is an accomplished troupe of performers and newcomers to the big screen led by Clive Owen (Children of Men, television’s “The Knick”), Ethan Hawke (The Purge, Training Day), John Goodman (Atomic Blonde, 10 Cloverfield Lane), Kris Wu (XXX: Return of Xander Cage, Journey To the West: The Demons Strike Back) and Rutger Hauer (Blade Runner, Batman Begins). In a stunning performance, global pop icon Rihanna (upcoming Ocean’s Eight) makes her debut in the fantasy film genre.
Written and directed by Besson, the story for Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets is based on the “Valerian and Laureline” graphic-novel series by Pierre Christin and Jean-Claude Mézières, first published in 1967 by Dargaud.
Powered by the imagination of Besson, Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets takes audiences on an unforgettable intergalactic adventure.
The film was visually stunning. The colors were vibrant, and the alien-like characters looked amazing. The film was fairly comedic, and the action was just enough. The actors did a good job portraying their characters but who brought the film to life was Rihanna playing the role of Bubble. Although she was in the movie for no more than 15 minutes, she gave the film balance and brought the pieces to the puzzle together.
While separated from Laureline, Valerian ventures into Alpha Space Station’s red-light district, Paradise Alley, where he makes the acquaintance of the shape-shifting “glampod” Bubble. Bubble is a talented alien that can transform into anything she wants and can recite Shakespeare by heart. In that way, Bubble is the ultimate actress.
Valerian first encounters Bubble when she performs a dance routine, then proceeds to unleash a rapid-fire kaleidoscope of transformations; it’s the ultimate intergalactic makeover montage.
Bubble quickly goes from merely a performer at the Glam Club to becoming an ally to Valerian and playing a significant role in his rescue mission.
For it to be Rihanna's first major role, she did great. The actors as a whole did well. The plot was average, and the story line was much like "Avatar." Overall, we give the movie a B - rating. The visuals and the multi-colored CGI creatures were superb and are what captures you along the way. Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets tell the story of a universe without boundaries that need heroes without limits. It is a good Summer film.
Valerian hits theaters today, July 21. Check out the trailer below: