Everybody seemed to realize that Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets (that title alone is a mouthful) was destined for failure- everyone except Luc Besson, that is. The director of action movie favorites like The Professional and Lucy and sci-fi extravaganzas like The Fifth Element was determined to release his decades-in-the-making project in the middle of the summer, and by God, he was going to release that movie on July 21 no matter what the circumstances. What's that? You said Christopher Nolan is releasing his new movie on that date too? Who cares, it's a World War II movie, only the old people will go to see that! Valerian is a weird case of director's vision being the main reason for a film's existence, and a director's hubris being the main reason for its downfall. To give Besson some credit, he did raise enough money to make a $200 million sci-fi epic that is truly out-of-this-world. That counts for something. But his insistence on a summer release did nothing to help the movie's success, and I can't help but think that a different release date would have done this movie a favor.
Valerian is going to go down as a massive bomb. It's already being mentioned in the same breath as Jupiter Ascending and John Carter, which isn't exactly the best company when it comes to sci-fi films. But in reality, this is a much better film than the buzz and the box office would indicate. The first comparison that comes to my mind is Speed Racer, the Wachowski Sisters' colorful, critically panned fiasco, an intentionally dopey bit of insanity that is as visually inspired as anything in modern Hollywood. I love that film, and I'm glad to see that it has grown a cult following in the years since its 2008 release. Hopefully a similar audience will follow Valerian, which is perhaps one of the most unique blockbusters I've ever seen. Yes, it is corny. Yes, the dialogue and acting are weak. But these feel like essential elements to Besson's vision, part of the pulpy, but knowingly self-aware sci-fi universe he has created. Valerian is a kaleidoscopic bonanza of eye-popping special effects, and while it has its fair share of issues, the visual ambition on display is more than enough to warrant a recommendation.
After a prologue that chronicles humanity's move to space and first contact with alien life forms, Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets sets the stage in the distant future, as two agents are attempting to recover a stolen life form. Those agents are Major Valerian (Dane DeHaan) and Sergeant Laureline (Cara Delevingne), and their plan quickly goes haywire, resulting in a frantic chase through an invisible market. As they return to Alpha, the capital of this new intergalactic modern society, Valerian and Laureline realize that something more sinister might be going on. A shady commander (Clive Owen), a missing planet, and a living artifact combine to create one crazy conspiracy, and the two most valuable agents in the universe end up getting stuck in the middle of it. Things ensue, adventures are embarked on, and it's all merely an excuse for Luc Besson to show off this bold and crazy sci-fi universe.
Reactions to Valerian have been all over the map, but everyone seems to be in agreement when it comes to the visual effects and the world that Besson created here- this movie is stunning. It is damn near impossible to adequately convey the madness of this film in a review- you simply can't do it. Even as someone who prefers practical effects and stunts and everything that great directors can do with a camera, the CGI achievement of Valerian is downright undeniable. In a cinematic landscape where visuals are no longer as thrilling or innovative as they once were, Besson overcomes that challenge by creating something that feels completely new and unpredictable. The world of Alpha is one of endless possibilities, and there's a sense of awe and wonder that has been missing from this kind of effects-driven sci-fi epic in recent years. There's so much to digest in each new locale and scene, and the magnitude of the universe is jaw-dropping.
And for me, it all comes down to one thing- the imagination of Besson. Yes, I know that this movie is based on a popular French graphic novel that has been a cultural touchstone of that country for generations. This was around well before Star Wars, and it's credited with inspiring a whole bunch of sci-fi filmmakers. But there's simply nothing like this out there, and some of the scenes are so audacious and thrilling that I couldn't believe I was seeing something so incredible in a mega-release like this. It's overwhelming to an extent, and the scope of the 3D action is unbelievable. Besson lets his mind run wild here, and the result is a movie that is never anything less than a joy to watch. And most importantly, it's also true to itself.
The main criticisms lobbed at Valerian have been focused on the dialogue, the acting, and the plot, three elements that are admittedly crucial to a film. But in my humble (ha, not really) opinion, all of the cheesy dialogue, thinly developed relationships, and forgettable plot mechanics are in service of a movie that is meant to be kinda goofy and stupid. This film is pulp science fiction 101, just on a scale that we haven't seen before. I know this feels like a weak defense of a film that has some genuine issues, but when I was watching, it clicked with me that everything bad on the surface is ultimately integral to an experience that is meant to be simultaneously fresh, ground-breaking and thrillingly retro. From the zany cat-and-mouse execution of the plot to Besson's playful direction to the bouncy score of Alexandre Desplat, Valerian is corny, absurd, and truly outlandish. And that's why it's so much fun to watch.
Now, don't get me wrong, Valerian is still a deeply flawed movie. It's about 20 minutes too long, and I wish that the sci-fi insanity was contained by a story that had a bit more heft to it. But I dare you to care about any of these things when you're watching the psychedelic mania unfold- this movie is some of the greatest eye candy I have seen in my film-going life. It's remarkably fun, it's light on its feet, and it has artistry and originality to spare. What more could you ask for in a sci-fi epic like this? Here's hoping that the overseas box office is good, because it's a true tragedy if we don't get more visionary adventures in this endlessly amusing universe.
THE FINAL GRADE: B+ (7.7/10)
Images courtesy of STX Entertainment
Valerian is going to go down as a massive bomb. It's already being mentioned in the same breath as Jupiter Ascending and John Carter, which isn't exactly the best company when it comes to sci-fi films. But in reality, this is a much better film than the buzz and the box office would indicate. The first comparison that comes to my mind is Speed Racer, the Wachowski Sisters' colorful, critically panned fiasco, an intentionally dopey bit of insanity that is as visually inspired as anything in modern Hollywood. I love that film, and I'm glad to see that it has grown a cult following in the years since its 2008 release. Hopefully a similar audience will follow Valerian, which is perhaps one of the most unique blockbusters I've ever seen. Yes, it is corny. Yes, the dialogue and acting are weak. But these feel like essential elements to Besson's vision, part of the pulpy, but knowingly self-aware sci-fi universe he has created. Valerian is a kaleidoscopic bonanza of eye-popping special effects, and while it has its fair share of issues, the visual ambition on display is more than enough to warrant a recommendation.
After a prologue that chronicles humanity's move to space and first contact with alien life forms, Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets sets the stage in the distant future, as two agents are attempting to recover a stolen life form. Those agents are Major Valerian (Dane DeHaan) and Sergeant Laureline (Cara Delevingne), and their plan quickly goes haywire, resulting in a frantic chase through an invisible market. As they return to Alpha, the capital of this new intergalactic modern society, Valerian and Laureline realize that something more sinister might be going on. A shady commander (Clive Owen), a missing planet, and a living artifact combine to create one crazy conspiracy, and the two most valuable agents in the universe end up getting stuck in the middle of it. Things ensue, adventures are embarked on, and it's all merely an excuse for Luc Besson to show off this bold and crazy sci-fi universe.
Reactions to Valerian have been all over the map, but everyone seems to be in agreement when it comes to the visual effects and the world that Besson created here- this movie is stunning. It is damn near impossible to adequately convey the madness of this film in a review- you simply can't do it. Even as someone who prefers practical effects and stunts and everything that great directors can do with a camera, the CGI achievement of Valerian is downright undeniable. In a cinematic landscape where visuals are no longer as thrilling or innovative as they once were, Besson overcomes that challenge by creating something that feels completely new and unpredictable. The world of Alpha is one of endless possibilities, and there's a sense of awe and wonder that has been missing from this kind of effects-driven sci-fi epic in recent years. There's so much to digest in each new locale and scene, and the magnitude of the universe is jaw-dropping.
And for me, it all comes down to one thing- the imagination of Besson. Yes, I know that this movie is based on a popular French graphic novel that has been a cultural touchstone of that country for generations. This was around well before Star Wars, and it's credited with inspiring a whole bunch of sci-fi filmmakers. But there's simply nothing like this out there, and some of the scenes are so audacious and thrilling that I couldn't believe I was seeing something so incredible in a mega-release like this. It's overwhelming to an extent, and the scope of the 3D action is unbelievable. Besson lets his mind run wild here, and the result is a movie that is never anything less than a joy to watch. And most importantly, it's also true to itself.
The main criticisms lobbed at Valerian have been focused on the dialogue, the acting, and the plot, three elements that are admittedly crucial to a film. But in my humble (ha, not really) opinion, all of the cheesy dialogue, thinly developed relationships, and forgettable plot mechanics are in service of a movie that is meant to be kinda goofy and stupid. This film is pulp science fiction 101, just on a scale that we haven't seen before. I know this feels like a weak defense of a film that has some genuine issues, but when I was watching, it clicked with me that everything bad on the surface is ultimately integral to an experience that is meant to be simultaneously fresh, ground-breaking and thrillingly retro. From the zany cat-and-mouse execution of the plot to Besson's playful direction to the bouncy score of Alexandre Desplat, Valerian is corny, absurd, and truly outlandish. And that's why it's so much fun to watch.
Now, don't get me wrong, Valerian is still a deeply flawed movie. It's about 20 minutes too long, and I wish that the sci-fi insanity was contained by a story that had a bit more heft to it. But I dare you to care about any of these things when you're watching the psychedelic mania unfold- this movie is some of the greatest eye candy I have seen in my film-going life. It's remarkably fun, it's light on its feet, and it has artistry and originality to spare. What more could you ask for in a sci-fi epic like this? Here's hoping that the overseas box office is good, because it's a true tragedy if we don't get more visionary adventures in this endlessly amusing universe.
THE FINAL GRADE: B+ (7.7/10)
Images courtesy of STX Entertainment
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