If there's one thing we know Fifth Element director Luc Besson canpull off, it's wildly fun over-the-top sci-fi, and he does not disappoint with Valerian—to a point. Whereas theworld-building and CGI hits that utterly gorgeous sweet spot, Besson, who alsohelmed 1994 fan-fave Léon: The Professional,becomes mired in mediocre writing, a few goofy missteps and an almost-tiredstory about how big ol' government entities are always stepping on the littleguy.
Valerian isadapted from the French serial comic Valérianand Laureline (which debuted in 1967) wherein we follow a brash youngsoldier named Valerian (here played by ACure for Wellness' Dane DeHaan) and his underling partner Laureline (CaraDelevingne of Suicide Squad)—with whomour hero happens to have fallen in love. As the partners are swept up into theworld of military buffoonery and action-packed space missions in and around thespace station Alpha (a sprawling interstellar city that hosts living creaturesfrom a thousand planets), they begin to question their superiors and step way outside protocol to right the wrongsof their people's past. Y'know, because they're good guys like that.
Alpha itself is gorgeous, abizarre mix of Bladerunner and animethat almost hits video game territory in terms of scale and style, but stillfeels like a living, breathing metropolis. Diplomatic relations are tense, butValerian and Laureline are, of course, not sticklers for the rules. They knowright from wrong, which would grow tedious were it not for some stunningsequences that not only fall into ain't-it-cool territory, but show offBesson's imaginative ideas of future tech, aliens, etc. Sadly, however, therunning time starts to push things, and a baffling mid-film music videofeaturing Rihanna (yes, that Rihanna)fails to recall the likes of that brilliant FifthElement opera scene and instead feels like some confused film exec insistedon inserting more sex into the thing. An inter-dimensional market chase,however, is clever and original in a Futurama-likevein right down to an appearance from John Goodman's voice.
Regardless, for those seekinga fun time at the movies, this oughta do just fine if you don't go looking foranything deep or groundbreaking. Lasers are fired, the aliens look cool and theopening sequence to the tune of David Bowie is perfect. Perhaps Valerian doesn't become a giant leap formankind, but it does hit the dizzying highs of space intrigue, and that's justhow we like it.
- Love, schmove
Valerian and the City of a ThousandPlanets
Directed by Besson
With DeHaan, Delavigne and Rihanna
Violet Crown, Regal, PG-13, 137 min.
