FILM REVIEW: Valerian And The City Of A Thousand Planets (12A)

This summer's latest big space based adventure is brought to us by director Luc '˜The Fifth Element' Besson, who has made some classic films like '˜Leon: The Professional' but also some pretty terrible efforts such as '˜Lucy'.
By The Newsroom
Published 13th Aug 2017, 11:00 GMT
Updated 12th Sep 2017, 11:25 GMT
Undated film still handout from Valerian And The City Of A Thousand Planets. Pictured: Dane DeHaan as Major Valerian as Rihanna as Bubble. See PA Feature FILM Reviews. Picture credit should read: PA Photo/Lionsgate Films/Daniel Smith. WARNING: This picture must only be used to accompany PA Feature FILM Reviews. NNL-170708-113103001 NNL-170708-113103001Undated film still handout from Valerian And The City Of A Thousand Planets. Pictured: Dane DeHaan as Major Valerian as Rihanna as Bubble. See PA Feature FILM Reviews. Picture credit should read: PA Photo/Lionsgate Films/Daniel Smith. WARNING: This picture must only be used to accompany PA Feature FILM Reviews. NNL-170708-113103001 NNL-170708-113103001
Undated film still handout from Valerian And The City Of A Thousand Planets. Pictured: Dane DeHaan as Major Valerian as Rihanna as Bubble. See PA Feature FILM Reviews. Picture credit should read: PA Photo/Lionsgate Films/Daniel Smith. WARNING: This picture must only be used to accompany PA Feature FILM Reviews. NNL-170708-113103001 NNL-170708-113103001

Based on a French comic book series set in the 28th century, the plot sees hotshot heroes Major Valerian (Dane ‘Chronicle’ DeHaan) and Sergeant Laureline (Cara ‘Suicide Squad’ Delevingne) as a team of special operatives charged with maintaining order throughout the human territories of the galaxy.

When the galactic Minister of Defense send the two on a mission to the city (of a thousand planets) called Alpha - an ever-expanding metropolis where species from all over the universe have converged over centuries to share knowledge and live together – a dangerous mystery unfolds…

If you like your sci-fi of the eye-popping, wildly creative kind then Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets will blow you away. There are so many ideas hitting the screen and such a diversity of alien culture, all brought to vivid life through some of this year’s best special effect that you’ll likely be overwhelmed. Think Star Wars prequels but more exciting and richer in imagination.

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If you like your plots ordered and your acting decent though then you may be left wanting as this is a film that rolls along on a wild rollercoaster of cool set pieces loosely tied together by some dodgy narrative. DeHaan and Delevingne look good but their banter feels a bit forced and despite rocking some kick ass space armour, they are unlikely to become cult icons.

So, Valerian and Laureline race around getting into fights and risking everything to try and identify the dark plan which threatens not just Alpha, but the future of the universe. Along the way there is mixed support from Clive Owen as ‘Commander Arun Filitt’ and Ethan Hawke as ‘Jolly the Pimp’ but the most memorable performance comes from pop star Rihanna as ‘Bubble. Yes, it seems that an alien who can transform into anything chooses to make a living as a Rihanna pole dancing tribute circa her Umbrella look – and why wouldn’t they?

Overall Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets delivers a good time for those looking for some out of this world entertainment.

Rating: 4/5

Review by Matt Adcock