Review of Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets (2017) by Robert Z — 20 Jul 2017

So, here we have yet another film based on a well known graphic novel. One I've never heard of in all my years of being interested in Comic books. This ought to be interesting...

VALERIAN and the City of a Thousand Planets.

At 2.5 hours, it's a 3D Sci-Fi feast for the senses. I think at this point, 3D, which complemented this film well, but wasn't necessary for an overall viewing experience, has gone as far as it can go without holodeck technology. The film did feel long in places, but it never lost momentum, we were following two people who regularly save the day, & this is just a typical work day for them, it was never boring.

Dane DeHaan & Cara Delevingne really sold it as a couple of hardened soldiers, although some might say that the actors were too wooden, I just saw their performance as these two have fought many battles, & it's made them more austere than the average human; I don't think they would've been out've place in a WW2 spy film. The rest of the cast really gave us a good show, despite not having much screen time.

The effects were five star all the way, I honestly couldn't tell what was CGI & what was practical effect, but I can tell you that there were impressive amounts of both. The aliens & tech on display were both fantastical, & grounded in reality, I believed in what I was seeing.

The musical score was impressive, a good mix of melody & techno sound that felt like an evolution of music influenced by many alien cultures over many decades.

The action was well balanced with the slower moments, & left room for plenty of comedy, drama, & real character moments. Despite pretty much being dropped into the semi-middle of the story, it was easy to get swept up & follow along.

3 & 3/4 stars out've 5, I can see why George Lucas was so inspired by this story. It was an amazing ride, the story itself has shades of real world military foibles & displays just how easily those in command can go from nobel freedom fighters, to violent oppressors. We see here humanity at it's worst, & best, & I hope this isn't the last we've seen of Valerian, his partner Laureline, or the city of a thousand planets.