Valerian Movie Review: Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets
This Valerian movie review has been sponsored by STX Entertainment. All opinions are my own.
When you think of a science fiction flick, what first comes to mind? Something dark, heavy, and futuristic? That is what I thought was the makings of a good science fiction film, but when I screened Luc Besson’s Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets a few weeks ago, I started looking at science fiction films much differently. Based on a 1960’s comic book, this film is filled with colorful, beautiful imagery and scenes that tug at your heart strings, all while still giving the viewer the futuristic angle they crave from a sci-fi film. It’s a must-see movie and I can’t wait to see it a second time with the family tomorrow when it opens!
So what are my thoughts about the film? I wasn’t sure what to expect, but was blown away! The visuals of the film are just beautiful, mesmerizing even. This IS a family friendly movie, and one I will be taking my daughters to on opening day. Although sci-fi, there is a softness to it and the overall themes are ones of friendship, teamwork, and compassion. While there is violence, it is not gory violence and they are more of action sequences. In all, it is a film I think all ages and genders would love! After meeting Besson, I see how he created this with family and these important themes in mind.
Allow me to introduce you to Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets, a project that director Luc Besson (The Professional, The Fifth Element, Lucy) is clearly passionate about and has brought to the big screen for the whole family to enjoy.
In the 28th century, Valerian (Dane DeHaan) and Laureline (Cara Delevingne) are a team of special operatives charged with maintaining order throughout the human territories. Under assignment from the Minister of Defense, the two embark on a mission to the astonishing city of Alpha an ever-expanding metropolis where species from all over the universe have converged over centuries to share knowledge, intelligence and cultures with each other. There is a mystery at the center of Alpha, a dark force which threatens the peaceful existence of the City of a Thousand Planets, and Valerian and Laureline must race to identify the marauding menace and safeguard not just Alpha, but the future of the universe.
This film stars Dane DeHaan, Cara Delevingne, Clive Owen, Rihanna, Ethan Hawke, John Goodman, Herbie Hancock, and Kris Wu. It is directed by Luc Besson, with the screenplay by Besson as well, and produced by Virginie Besson-Silla.
I recently had the chance to sit down with Valerian director Luc Besson and cast talent Dane DeHaan and Cara Delevingne to talk about what making this film was like. Here’s what they had to say about working on the set of Valerian, why they chose to work on this project, and what completion of the film has meant to them.
First, we spoke with Luc Besson and found out exactly what this film meant to him.
Meeting director Luc Besson! He has been a fan of the Valerian comics since he was 10 years old.
Blogger: Fantastic movie. It was incredible.
Mr. Luc Besson: It feels good to hear it. You know, when you finish, you’re almost naked. You don’t like anything. It’s funny. You write a joke. It makes you laugh, and then you shoot it. And then, you go to the editing, and, at the end of the process, you quit laughing at all at the joke. And you almost–sometimes you think, Okay, it will never work–this joke. We should take it out. And you have to remember that it made you laugh at the beginning.
Blogger: Well, this obviously was your passion project. Is there anything you really had to fight to keep in the movie? I’m sure you had to let some things go.
Mr. Luc Besson: No. I’d rather die.
Blogger: As a writer, I admire the sincerity and humor that has been a consistent in all of your work. How do you go about keeping true to that spirit in your writing when you’re building all these big worlds around it?
Mr. Luc Besson: I have five kids who bring me back to earth every day.
And one of my kids a long time ago had a problem with the heart when she was born. And so, I’m very familiar with hospitals, and she got three operations in–they take the heart out, they work on it. I mean, it was very painful.
Luc Besson went on to explain how much gratitude he has for the doctor who saved his child, and how this doctor doesn’t get fame for the lives he saves each and everyday.
Blogger: –You stay grounded–.
Mr. Luc Besson: Yes. So, I’m going to fast food with my kids. I’m on my bike in Paris or at the green light, you know, like, Hey, hey. What’s up? I love the contact–I don’t want to live in a bubble. The only bubble I have is my head when I’m dreaming of films. So, I can write. But, the rest of the time, in fact, I enjoy the reality of life.
Blogger: What was the casting process like? Of course, did you have a hand in it, or was it completely up to you or–how did such the amazing cast that you have–how did that come about?
Mr. Luc Besson: If you find the actress or the actor who is perfect for the role, that’s unbeatable. If you choose someone because he’s known or because you think he’s going to make money or things, three years later, you never know. Some movies recently flop with big, big names. And they signed three years before, and they thought it was working. So, don’t even think about it. Just take the best person for the part.
And there’s 29 albums of Valerian, and I started reading it when I was ten. So, basically, I know very well Valerian and I know very well Laureline. So, if I’ve seen one, I can tell.
And I was convinced on Dane in one minute, one minute. His smile, his eyes, his blue eyes, the tone of his voice. And he’s kind of like charming, a little bit, which is perfect for the role because he’s not the typical hero. He’s a little too much. He’s like pretentious a little bit. He’s very lucky most of the time, and she’s handling it. She’s the boss.
Interviewing DeHaan and Delevingne. They were each brought onto the project by Besson personally.
Up next, Dane DeHaan and Cara Delevingne joined us at the table to talk about the film including the costumes, the hiring process, and more.
Blogger: So, do you have a favorite scene?
Ms. Cara Delevingne: I mean, I think, to be fair, because when I was on set–because me and Dane are in most of the same scenes together–I think watching the big market, to me, was one of the most incredible because I remember–I mean, I saw Dane doing some of the various things. But, watching that come together–I mean, I would watch that over and over again.
Blogger: Were either of you familiar with the graphic novel before you signed on for the project?
Mr. Dane DeHaan: I wasn’t. No.
Ms. Cara Delevingne: I honestly feel like it was one of the best gifts I’ve ever been given is to be introduced to it. And I feel like the world will feel the same way just because it clearly has inspired so many other amazing things as well.
Blogger: The costumes are great. Do you have any other favorites of the costumes?
Ms. Cara Delevingne: I don’t know if it was my favorite to wear. But, looks-wise, obviously the space suit, it’s incredible. But, there were a lot of technical difficulties with the lights and the LEDs. They always seemed to get in the way–this one light which would never stay on.
Space Coachella. I mean, Luc definitely has a knack with the style for sure.
Blogger: So, he has a lot of say in the costumes?
Mr. Dane DeHaan: Yes, he has his hands all over this movie. I think he’s just been developing it for so long. And honestly, I think it’s one of the things that makes our movie stand out because it’s not an American studio movie and it’s just completely his movie, he had his hands all over it.
And he’s been developing it his–I mean, in a way, his entire life, but realistically, for ten years. And he’s able to make the exact movie he wanted to make with the depth of detail and the artistry he wanted to. He had an amazing costume designer in Olivier [Beriot].
The costumes and special effects in Valerian and City of a Thousand Planets offer the viewer stunning imagery in each and every scene.
Don’t miss a cameo by Rihanna, who stars as Bubbles, a creature who can shape shift into anything she wishes.
I found that both DeHaan and Delevingne were very open about the film and have developed the same enthusiasm for it so obvious in Besson. I enjoyed hearing their thoughts on the film and how it has impacted their lives. We heard about the challenges of working with the green screen (the screen used to create many of the special effects used in the film) and how it was amazing to work on a set where everyone was so positive and passionate about the project!
I had the chance to test out the “green screen” and see some of the magic behind the filmmaking!
Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets opens in 3D and RealD 3D theaters Friday, July 21st! It is rated PG-13. You can catch the trailer here!
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mikey says
I’m 65 years old and I’ve seen a lot of syfy movies but this movie without a doubt is the best movie I’ve had the pleasure of viewing . You must see this visual extravaganza in 3D . The story line is great . Love is the central theme of Valerian . I was just awestruck at the cgi and I used to hate cgi . There were so many interesting characters it was hard for me to keep up . It’s almost a chick flick . My wife loved it . Do yourself a favor go see this movie set up close and get ready for the most visual fun your are gonna experience ! I’m gonna see it again !