FOLIO
Release Date: July 21, 2017
Running Time: 2 hours and 17 minutes
Rated PG-13
Grade B-
Directed By: Luc Besson
Welcome to Alpha the city of a thousand planets. After centuries of peace and prosperity, an unknown force wants to destroy all we have created.
In the 28th century, Major Valerian and Sergeant Laureline are agents who work for the Terran Galactic Empire that oversees the universe including the drifting civilization known as Alpha. Alpha is a continuously expanding city where 3,236 species from the four corners of the universe converge to share knowledge, intelligence, and culture. After a brief period of relaxation, the duo are tasked with retrieving a highly sought after item from the virtual Big Market. Once there, Valerian infiltrates the lair of the most feared pirate in the galaxy in order capture the ‘converter’ and complete his mission. What he doesn’t realize is that the sensation that he experienced while relaxing in the virtual beach is somehow connected to the item that is is to retrieve. His partner Laureline, whom he is madly in love with, keeps his reckless behavior at bay with her responses to his advances and her fierce determination. She also backs him up and, at times, takes the lead in their risky assignments. After completion of their mission, they learn that there is a radioactive entity jeopardizing the well-being of Alpha. Valerian and Laureline was given the directive to deactivate the threat in 10 hours. Matters get complicated as the truth is slowly as to what or whom the real threat is.
A Universe Without Boundaries Needs Heroes Without Limits
Time to get to work on properly dissecting the qualities of Luc Besson‘s visual treat. The first ingredient is Besson’s seven years of dedication including crowd funding to raise money for the most expensive french indie film to date. Growing up, Besson loved Pierre Christin and Jean-Claude Mezieres’ iconic Valerian and Laureline science-fiction comic series. When he consulted Mezieres to assist with The Fifth Element, Mezieres asked him why he didn’t work on creating a film about Valerian. In the 50 years since the comic’s first installment, the scripts and vivid drawings have inspired great movies such as Star Wars. Unfortunately, the special effects availability 20 years ago did not support the Valerian dream. Now his dream, Post to Post Links II error: No valid type provided. is in 3D on the big screen.
When Besson decided that he was going to do this film he had Dane DeHaan and Cara Delevingne in mind for the lead characters. Going into the film, I had a bad taste in my mouth for Delevingne due to her performance in Suicide Squad but her spunky delivery has restored my faith in the future of her career. Besson’s choice of DeHaan left me scratching my head. Initially, I favored him because of his performances in Lawless, Chronicle, and The Amazing Spider-Man 2 but this time I failed to visualize him as a womanizing space hero.
The second ingredient is the seven months that Besson took to design the storyboard. After several screenplay re-writes the plot is loosely based on the sixth album in the comic series “Ambassador of the Shadows”. With its 137 minute running time, the plot unfolds nicely, the action is plentiful, and I was sitting on the edge of my seat to see what would become of the visually spectacular and peaceful inhabitants of Mul. The weakness lies in the script. Unlike the preparation that Besson took to ensure that actors adjusted their acting according to what species they were interacting with, the dialogue between the main characters seemed forced and unnatural.
However, the final ingredient is the special effects which were provided by none other than Weta Digital and Industrial Light & Magic who previously worked together on Contact, Van Helsing, Eragon, and Avatar. Almost every scene tested the limits of imagination and left me pondering on the old adage that if we can dream it, it can happen. Given the history of mankind, envisioning a peaceful cohabitation of the vast multitude of species is absolutely breathtaking. Overall, despite my perception of the script and lead actor concerns, I thoroughly enjoyed sharing Besson’s dream and sincerely hope that it grosses at least $350 million so that I can see a sequel. Grab your 3D glasses and time hop into the theatre to see this one! ~Movie Buffette
Starring:
Dane DeHaan as Major Valerian
Cara Delevingne as Sergeant Laureline
Clive Owen as Commander Filitt
Ethan Hawke as Jolly the Pimp
Rihanna as Bubble
Herbie Hancock as Defense Minister
Sam Spruell as General Okto-Bar
Sasha Luss as Princess Lihio-Minaa
Aymeline Valade as Emperor Haban-Limai
Pauline Hoarau as Empress Aloi
and Rutger Hauer as President of the World State Federation
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