Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets
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.
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.
- Director:
- Luc Besson ('Lucy', 'The Fifth Element', 'Leon: The Professional')
- Writer:
- Luc Besson
- Cast:
- Dane DeHaanCara DelevingneClive OwenRihannaEthan HawkeRutger HauerHerbie Hancock
Reviews & comments
Flicks, Steve Newall
flicksIt’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.
Oh dear... *sad sad emoji face*
It started so well there was plenty of CGI aliens and it was bigtime pretty and rich with life and purpose then Dane DeHaan came on the screen as the hero and well oh dear... it was bad. I mean I was expecting it, but *snort* he was laughably dreadful and Cara wasnt much better. It wasnt that his acting was just so mindnumbingly bad it was the drivel that...
Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets
VALERIAN AND THE CITY OF A THOUSAND PLANETS. A fun, colourful, visually spectacular space opera. I really like this sci-fi universe. It's like THE FIFTH ELEMENT on steroids. Points for using David Bowie's "Space Oddity" in the opening sequence. Dane DeHaan and Cara Delevingne are miscast as Major Valerian and Sergeant Laureline. They have no chemistry. When...
Vulture
pressI 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.
Variety
pressAn expansive, expensive adventure whose creativity outweighs its more uneven elements.
Time Out
pressIf we're going to have space operas, let them sing in the strangest accents possible.
The New York Times
pressThe 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.
NPR
pressValerian 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.
Los Angeles Times
pressWhen 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.
Hollywood Reporter
pressThe 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.
Flicks, Steve Newall
flicksIt’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.
Vulture
pressI 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.
Variety
pressAn expansive, expensive adventure whose creativity outweighs its more uneven elements.
Time Out
pressIf we're going to have space operas, let them sing in the strangest accents possible.
The New York Times
pressThe 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.
NPR
pressValerian 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.
Los Angeles Times
pressWhen 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.
Hollywood Reporter
pressThe 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.
Oh dear... *sad sad emoji face*
It started so well there was plenty of CGI aliens and it was bigtime pretty and rich with life and purpose then Dane DeHaan came on the screen as the hero and well oh dear... it was bad. I mean I was expecting it, but *snort* he was laughably dreadful and Cara wasnt much better. It wasnt that his acting was just so mindnumbingly bad it was the drivel...
Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets
VALERIAN AND THE CITY OF A THOUSAND PLANETS. A fun, colourful, visually spectacular space opera. I really like this sci-fi universe. It's like THE FIFTH ELEMENT on steroids. Points for using David Bowie's "Space Oddity" in the opening sequence. Dane DeHaan and Cara Delevingne are miscast as Major Valerian and Sergeant Laureline. They have no chemistry....
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