Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets
3.5/4
Starring: Dane DeHaan, Cara Delevigne, Clive Owen, Elizabeth Debicki, Sam Spruell, Rihanna
Rated PG-13 for Sci-Fi Violence and Action, Suggestive Material and Brief Language
The decision to release Luc Besson's new space opera, based on a comic not widely known in the US, next to the juggernaut that is Christopher Nolan's "Dunkirk" is one of two things: balls of steel or a vote of no confidence. Realistically speaking, it's probably the latter, but my hope is the former, since this is easily the best movie of the summer (no, I haven't seen "Dunkirk" yet). Not only is it the most brilliantly inventive piece of eye candy since "Speed Racer," it's also a lot of fun.
500 years in the future, the ISS has gotten so large that it has long since been sent out into the far reaches of space for fear of being pulled in by Earth's gravity. Now, it serves as a hub for thousands of different alien races. Two cops for Alpha, as this hub is known, are tasked with retrieving a creature that may be the last one in existence. After Valerian (DeHaan) and Laureline (Delevigne) retrieve the creature, they are tasked by Commander Arun Fillitt to investigate a radioactive zone at the center of Alpha. It's growing astronomically, and as a result it will consume the entire hub in two weeks time. Valerian and Laureline are about to discover that things aren't what they seem.
The plot is standard order adventure yarn, but that's okay. Whatever deficiencies in the plot and director Luc Besson's storytelling (and there aren't many), they do little to harm the film's real selling points: the visuals and the world. This is a movie that is so visually dazzling and inventive that you'll have to see it multiple times to catch it all. There are so many creatures and worlds that I was reminded of the "Star Wars" prequels. Better yet, it's bright and full of color and energy. Credit must go to the camerawork by Thierry Arbogast, for allowing us to see it all in all of its glory. This is spectacle done right.
One of the things I appreciated is its freshness. Being free of a vocal fan base and ties to existing franchises means that it doesn't have to slow down for fan demanded appearances simply because the comic nerds will be in an uproar if their favorite minor character doesn't make an appearance. One of the things that bogs down most superhero movies is their obsessive desire for as many superhero cameos and Easter eggs as possible. Defenders call it "world building," but boy, does it ever drag down the pacing. And since it has absolutely zero connection to Marvel, we are thankfully spared another irritating Stan Lee cameo.
Sadly, the acting doesn't exactly impress. Dane DeHaan is miscast as the lead. I like the actor, but as the obligatory cocky hunk? It's a tough sell. Cara Delevigne is better as the spunky girl with a mean right hook, but she lacks presence. The two grow into their characters, but it takes longer than it should. By the time the chemistry between them shows signs of getting warm, the movie is over. It's always great to see Clive Owen, who has been in far too few movies lately, but he's coasting through on his charisma. Worth mentioning is Sam Spruell, who is quite good as a second-in-command who slowly uncovers the truth. Ethan Hawke has a weird cameo as a pimp and Rihanna shows comic but not dramatic chops as an exotic dancer. Her dance number lasts too long, but she gets to shape shift into a variety of costumes and outfits, so it's a fair trade.
"Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets" isn't the second coming of "Star Wars," but it's the best space opera we've had in a long time. Don't miss it!
Starring: Dane DeHaan, Cara Delevigne, Clive Owen, Elizabeth Debicki, Sam Spruell, Rihanna
Rated PG-13 for Sci-Fi Violence and Action, Suggestive Material and Brief Language
The decision to release Luc Besson's new space opera, based on a comic not widely known in the US, next to the juggernaut that is Christopher Nolan's "Dunkirk" is one of two things: balls of steel or a vote of no confidence. Realistically speaking, it's probably the latter, but my hope is the former, since this is easily the best movie of the summer (no, I haven't seen "Dunkirk" yet). Not only is it the most brilliantly inventive piece of eye candy since "Speed Racer," it's also a lot of fun.
500 years in the future, the ISS has gotten so large that it has long since been sent out into the far reaches of space for fear of being pulled in by Earth's gravity. Now, it serves as a hub for thousands of different alien races. Two cops for Alpha, as this hub is known, are tasked with retrieving a creature that may be the last one in existence. After Valerian (DeHaan) and Laureline (Delevigne) retrieve the creature, they are tasked by Commander Arun Fillitt to investigate a radioactive zone at the center of Alpha. It's growing astronomically, and as a result it will consume the entire hub in two weeks time. Valerian and Laureline are about to discover that things aren't what they seem.
The plot is standard order adventure yarn, but that's okay. Whatever deficiencies in the plot and director Luc Besson's storytelling (and there aren't many), they do little to harm the film's real selling points: the visuals and the world. This is a movie that is so visually dazzling and inventive that you'll have to see it multiple times to catch it all. There are so many creatures and worlds that I was reminded of the "Star Wars" prequels. Better yet, it's bright and full of color and energy. Credit must go to the camerawork by Thierry Arbogast, for allowing us to see it all in all of its glory. This is spectacle done right.
One of the things I appreciated is its freshness. Being free of a vocal fan base and ties to existing franchises means that it doesn't have to slow down for fan demanded appearances simply because the comic nerds will be in an uproar if their favorite minor character doesn't make an appearance. One of the things that bogs down most superhero movies is their obsessive desire for as many superhero cameos and Easter eggs as possible. Defenders call it "world building," but boy, does it ever drag down the pacing. And since it has absolutely zero connection to Marvel, we are thankfully spared another irritating Stan Lee cameo.
Sadly, the acting doesn't exactly impress. Dane DeHaan is miscast as the lead. I like the actor, but as the obligatory cocky hunk? It's a tough sell. Cara Delevigne is better as the spunky girl with a mean right hook, but she lacks presence. The two grow into their characters, but it takes longer than it should. By the time the chemistry between them shows signs of getting warm, the movie is over. It's always great to see Clive Owen, who has been in far too few movies lately, but he's coasting through on his charisma. Worth mentioning is Sam Spruell, who is quite good as a second-in-command who slowly uncovers the truth. Ethan Hawke has a weird cameo as a pimp and Rihanna shows comic but not dramatic chops as an exotic dancer. Her dance number lasts too long, but she gets to shape shift into a variety of costumes and outfits, so it's a fair trade.
"Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets" isn't the second coming of "Star Wars," but it's the best space opera we've had in a long time. Don't miss it!
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