Read Mixed User Reviews for Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets

6

dangersJul 25, 2017

Valerian is one of the most visually stunning films ever made. It also has lots of action and a story that doesn't suck. The main problem here though, are the two leads. Completely bland.

19 of 30 users found this helpful1911

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5

ExorioNov 22, 2017

Pretty imaginative alien world, but boring overall.

I'm a Fifth Element fan, and that movie was a lot of fun, with lots of charm, and tons of hilarious moments. Then this came up, with Luc Besson as the director I was really excited to watchPretty imaginative alien world, but boring overall.

I'm a Fifth Element fan, and that movie was a lot of fun, with lots of charm, and tons of hilarious moments. Then this came up, with Luc Besson as the director I was really excited to watch it.

I never read the comic book, but as far as comic goes, European comics have really unique style and story. Probably because they didn't reach the mainstream audience much. And lots of french movies are great, so at least these facts get me higher hope for the movie.

But... the very bottom line is that I was wrong to expect Valerian as "spiritual successor" of Fifth Element. I'm guessing this is a very idealist project, sort of like James Cameron's Avatar.

Something that has been around Luc Besson's head for awhile, but the technology wasn't up to it back when he came up with the idea.

So the execution? The CG are wonderful, but that's pretty much all of it. Action sequences are not impactful, even Transformers Last Knight still did it better. No witty dialogue or hilarious/memorable moments such as when Ruby Rod interviewing Korben Dallas. The story is a jumbled mess too.

If you want to feast your eyes again after Avatar did it to you, this will satisfy your thirst at least partially.

But this ain't no Fift Element.… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

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6

BrianMcCriticNov 23, 2017

A film that is worth viewing for the spectacle alone. Not to say there aren't some fun moments within the story, but by the end you find yourself a little exhausted. B-

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

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4

ozymandias79Nov 3, 2017

Style over substance. Scenes were too long. Exposition was lame. There was zero chemistry between Cara Delevingne and Dane DeHaan. Cara Delevingne was okay, but Dane DeHaan was awful. Seems like he'd rather be sucking on a bong than doingStyle over substance. Scenes were too long. Exposition was lame. There was zero chemistry between Cara Delevingne and Dane DeHaan. Cara Delevingne was okay, but Dane DeHaan was awful. Seems like he'd rather be sucking on a bong than doing anything else.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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5

PeterAlexanderDec 7, 2017

Visually ambitious, but ultimately the two leads fail to match up to the excitement of the worlds created. The characters are one dimensional and are hurt by a story that isn't all that enthralling.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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5

badgerryan19Nov 4, 2017

Had high hopes for this one and it disappointed. The visuals and locations are pretty darn awesome and for the most part the action set pieces are good. The movie lacks with very poor dialogue and a weak script with eye rolling jokes andHad high hopes for this one and it disappointed. The visuals and locations are pretty darn awesome and for the most part the action set pieces are good. The movie lacks with very poor dialogue and a weak script with eye rolling jokes and pretty bland leads. The story was okay but didn't capitalized on how good it could of been.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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4

laszlo1337Nov 11, 2017

It could be a good film. The whole CGI, the planets, the effects, the paces, the races! Magnifique. But... this all was ruined by wrong actors choice. Valerian is played by guy who tries too hard to be badass, it sounds like he's forcing hisIt could be a good film. The whole CGI, the planets, the effects, the paces, the races! Magnifique. But... this all was ruined by wrong actors choice. Valerian is played by guy who tries too hard to be badass, it sounds like he's forcing his voice to be lower and the outcome is ridiculous. Also he doesn't look badass at all. He sounds like he had stuffed nose the whole time. That girl... this was also a poor choice. She can't act, but on top of that she has incredibly irritating face. Eyebrows in particular. She was just ugly. I couldn't look at her, it was just annoying. Finally we get to Rihanna, who was just put there. No reason for her to be there, it was some kind of marketing stunt I suppose. She didn't fit in her role, she was just there to show off. From all of this I got the sensation that those actors were just forcibly fit into these roles, because how come the CGI generated characters were far better in acting!? This film could be epic.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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5

C-RenApr 9, 2018

Generally, I thought the film was quite good. It had stunning visuals, the CGI of the alien species was fantastic and very unique for some species. I liked how the use of locations was used throughout the film. The story itself was reallyGenerally, I thought the film was quite good. It had stunning visuals, the CGI of the alien species was fantastic and very unique for some species. I liked how the use of locations was used throughout the film. The story itself was really interesting, however, the acting for the two main characters was very poor. Terrible even. I don't know if it was because they were poorly written or the actors just didn't fit the role well at all. And I found the 'love story' between these two characters to be very boring and unnecessary, at times I wished they would stop talking about it and just move on with the story.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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5

TVJerryJul 28, 2017

This adventure takes place in a future world that's populated by dozens of alien creatures in extraordinary environments. And it's surprising that a film so jammed with fantastic visuals can fall so flat. Two humans (Dane DeHaan and CaraThis adventure takes place in a future world that's populated by dozens of alien creatures in extraordinary environments. And it's surprising that a film so jammed with fantastic visuals can fall so flat. Two humans (Dane DeHaan and Cara Delevingne) have a mission to save the titular metropolis and ultimately the universe. This is another setback: DeHaan has none of the charm or charisma of an adventure hero and his chemistry with Delevingne never sparks. But most surprising is that director Luc Besson, who's best known for action series (Taken, The Transporter), has created such anemic encounters here. There's plenty of running and fighting, but it's never staged with any creativity or excitement. Even the remarkable sci-fi elements that are crammed into every frame lose some of their spark after a while, plus the mundane writing and leaden drama dilute any appeal offered by the dazzling (and sometimes derivative) imagery.… Expand

5 of 7 users found this helpful52

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6

FlexedacornJul 31, 2017

Luc Besson’s Valerian adaptation based on the French comic of the same name is visually stunning but unfortunately that’s about all it was. Some of the creatures in the film looked very similar to Luc Besson’s other movie “The Fifth Element”,Luc Besson’s Valerian adaptation based on the French comic of the same name is visually stunning but unfortunately that’s about all it was. Some of the creatures in the film looked very similar to Luc Besson’s other movie “The Fifth Element”, which was a nice throw back. The main protagonists were not as memorable or likeably as some of the other space operas, but good enough to move the plot along. I didn’t mind Dane Dehann, but I can honestly say I have not like Cara Delevingne acting in any of the movies I have seen her in. She frankly comes across as wooden with most of her lines. If I had to take one good thing from Valerian other than the visuals, I would say the technology concepts were cool. It was the first Sci Fi film in a while to really show me advance technology concepts that felt alien. Overall if you like Sci Fi films you will probably find enjoyment in this one, if you’re a fan of a more emotionally deep film then this one is passable.… Expand

5 of 8 users found this helpful53

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6

FarhanFirozJul 21, 2017

Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets is Luc Besson's ambitious project and really big letdown as well. The Movie has awestruck visuals which are out of this world and absolutely brilliant creativity in its world building and aliens.Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets is Luc Besson's ambitious project and really big letdown as well. The Movie has awestruck visuals which are out of this world and absolutely brilliant creativity in its world building and aliens. Apart
from that the movie has nothing to offer. It got caught up in the visuals that the movie really lacks character development with really cheesy dialogues and humor not landing always and a really convoluted plot.… Expand

9 of 15 users found this helpful96

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5

RelaxedmikeAug 1, 2017

Very good special effects, costumes and creatures. Beautiful scenery and filming. But how come the main characters were not developed. The humor sucked and the lead characters had virtually no chemistry. It would seem if you go all out onVery good special effects, costumes and creatures. Beautiful scenery and filming. But how come the main characters were not developed. The humor sucked and the lead characters had virtually no chemistry. It would seem if you go all out on developing such stunning effects for a movie, the plot would be just a tad better. I'm givin it a 5 and a half. If you had thrown in some free popcorn I could have called it a 6..at the most!… Expand

3 of 5 users found this helpful32

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4

moviestalkerAug 3, 2017

[TL;DR]The best way to describe this movie would be 'Fifth Element' without the plot. When somewhere within a movie trailer you see the words: "From the director of insert-your-favorite-movie-here" you know it's going to be an average[TL;DR]The best way to describe this movie would be 'Fifth Element' without the plot. When somewhere within a movie trailer you see the words: "From the director of insert-your-favorite-movie-here" you know it's going to be an average experience. I really wanted to give Luc Besson, the benefit of the doubt here yet 'Valerian and the city of a thousand planets' just fails miserably. I really wonder when people will finally get tired of these plotless movies that are overloaded with cgi crap. Since Michael Bay has - once again - proven that you can make billions of dollars with this concept, I doubt it will be any time soon.… Expand

5 of 9 users found this helpful54

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6

VadertimeJul 21, 2017

Where do I begin. I went to see it last night and although I was not bored or looking at my watch for the over 2 hours of impressive sets and special effects, I came away a bit empty. It was like eating rice cakes. Flavorless, tasteless andWhere do I begin. I went to see it last night and although I was not bored or looking at my watch for the over 2 hours of impressive sets and special effects, I came away a bit empty. It was like eating rice cakes. Flavorless, tasteless and having the texture of styrofoam. This is nowhere as good as "The Fifth Element", which was a mind-blowing spectacle that broke all kinds of barriers for the sci-fi genre. Think of this as a lite, a very lite version of that movie from 20 years ago. Remember that Wendy's commercial from the 1980's - Where's the beef?… Expand

8 of 16 users found this helpful88

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4

SpangleJul 25, 2017

Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets is a film that Luc Besson is the perfect man to bring forth to cinemas everywhere. An imaginative filmmaker, as demonstrated with The Fifth Element, the source material's imagination is renowned dueValerian and the City of a Thousand Planets is a film that Luc Besson is the perfect man to bring forth to cinemas everywhere. An imaginative filmmaker, as demonstrated with The Fifth Element, the source material's imagination is renowned due to how it influenced the decades of science fiction films and universes that came in its wake. Set in the 28th Century, Valerian introduces the audience to the world as it is at the time. At the height of inter-species relations, the world has come together to create a floating city called, "Alpha". Playing host to species from every corner of the world in order to have all of them share knowledge with one another, it should come as no surprise that Alpha will also play host to a cover-up. Dreaming of an unknown species that relies upon the power found within a special pearl, Agent Valerian (Dane DeHaan) comes to realize that this species did once exist and is now subject to a cover-up hiding their destruction and existence from records. With the help of partner Agent Laureline (Cara Delevingne), it is up to the duo to reveal the secrets that lie within the heart of the Alpha ecosystem.

Unfortunately, Valerian is a film that greatly disappoints. Despite the strong pairing of director and material, as well as a largely strong casting job, the film winds up slipping up continuously. By the end, it is clear that one thing is true: the film would have been a lot better if it were not serious. Playing too often like a great satire on society by Paul Verhoeven, Valerian is instead Luc Besson making a film with dialogue and plotting so bad, it just has to be a satire. Unfortunately, it is not satire. Far too many lines elicit unintentional laughter. A saccharine explanation from Laureline to Valerian on what it means to love somebody is met by DeHaan uttering out, "I'd die for you." At the end of the film, when Valerian gives Laureline a ring, she says, "That's so romantic." One can argue that Valerian is a bit ahead of its time and will eventually find its audience, but lines such as these will never work. Future praise will have to note the way in which the film's dialogue slacks throughout or else that praise can be easily written off.

The film's dialogue and writing is the type that really leaves nothing to chance. Having characters explain their emotions and every feeling - especially in the dreadfully developed romance between Valerian and Laureline - the film trusts the audience to do very little in the way of thinking. Instead, it opts to spell out every detail to you, even if it is entirely frivolous. Often times, characters pop up and either explain their role to the audience or somebody else will have dialogue dedicated solely to explaining who they are and what that person will do in the story. Exposition-heavy lines regarding the world of Alpha, how everybody comes to share knowledge there, and the various groups found in the city, are not just forced, but horrifically written. Are we really to assume that two federal agents tasked with impossible missions have no idea who lives on Alpha? It is the center of their universe, yet they have no clue what happens there and need to have it explained to them? Hard to believe, at best. Thus, Besson needs to sprinkle it in the film in various doses. From flat-out having the computer explain it all to characters randomly dropping information about how the world works into an otherwise typical conversation, Valerian takes various approaches to teaching the audience about the world of Alpha. Unfortunately, none of it is useful - literally zero of the characters it introduces and explains pop up in the story - and all of it is heavy-handed anyways. For Valerian, it shortcuts world building by way of exposition. This has the unfortunate side effect of making it feel as though the world of Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets is not one worth exploring any further.

The way in which the romance between Valerian and Laureline, any character building moments, or side conversations, are written is really where Valerian plays like a satire. Written in such a way that the romance is the type of teenage angst that Nicholas Sparks would churn out to rave reviews among tween girls romanticizing about their first boyfriend, the romance never ceases to be awkward. Ignoring the complete and utter lack of romantic chemistry between Dane DeHaan and Cara Delevingne, the scenes never work anyways. The filmmakers know what love looks like, so they included scenes that play out these moments. Playful, hurtful, and passionate, the scenes and the way in which they are staged often hint at the skeletal remains of love. Unfortunately, as with any bare bones rendition, it lacks any beating heart or emotion. DeHaan and Delevingne not only fail to sell the romance, but Besson's script fails to instill it with any feeling. It is written to be acted out, so who can truly blame the actors for not being able to bring the dead back to life.… Expand

5 of 10 users found this helpful55

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6

reviewfrom19842Jul 30, 2017

Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets for what it was it was pretty entertaining. .

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

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4

Nobilis1984Aug 6, 2017

More shades like the sun. Sunny side: - optically wonderfully formed figures - imaginative surroundings - single wonderful scenes - good action scenes Shadow sides: - The story is dull - The principal characters provide her roles badly. AsMore shades like the sun. Sunny side: - optically wonderfully formed figures - imaginative surroundings - single wonderful scenes - good action scenes Shadow sides: - The story is dull - The principal characters provide her roles badly. As lovers they are not plausible. - The humor does not come. ---------------------------------------- Very good special effects, costumes and creatures. Beautiful scenery and filming, however, concerning the contents weakly. It erinner something to "John Carter. This film looked also good and was concerning the contents a flop.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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5

UncreativeNameAug 12, 2017

Cliche.. but good CGI, well, at the very beginning you can just guess who's the villain of the movie, also.. sometimes there were unnecessary scenes in the movie.. and sometimes you will feel that Valerian doesn't have a good role as the mainCliche.. but good CGI, well, at the very beginning you can just guess who's the villain of the movie, also.. sometimes there were unnecessary scenes in the movie.. and sometimes you will feel that Valerian doesn't have a good role as the main character or like he's just not the main character..… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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6

gtwistNov 26, 2017

Valerian is actually entertaining, different, and visually stunning. The fact that this movie is not like any other I've seen, makes this movie watchable. However, there are a lot of flaws. The casting is off, and the pacing is off too. Not aValerian is actually entertaining, different, and visually stunning. The fact that this movie is not like any other I've seen, makes this movie watchable. However, there are a lot of flaws. The casting is off, and the pacing is off too. Not a great movie, but it's not bad either.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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5

Exist2ResistJul 22, 2017

First the good thing about the movie.
It is visually appealing, the art direction of this film is superb. That is all. Everything else about this movie leaves something to be desired. They tout this as a space opera, it's more a of a spaceFirst the good thing about the movie.
It is visually appealing, the art direction of this film is superb. That is all. Everything else about this movie leaves something to be desired. They tout this as a space opera, it's more a of a space snooze fest. I cringed several times during the movie, when the protagonists were interacting. The script was so poorly written and the character development was non existent. The story arc was as basic as you could get, seems like they dumbed it down for the millennials.
I was bored for the entire 2 hours and 20 min. I kept waiting for the story to start but it never did. Save your money and wait for this to come out in the bargain bin.

Also what is going on with the Chinese Commies having bought out majority of Hollywood.… Expand

4 of 9 users found this helpful45

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5

FilmaticJul 22, 2017

Honestly, this movie was all over the place. Superb CGI, world building, and Sci-Fi/fantasy ideas. Very poor story, poor dialogue, poor story telling, poor antagonist, and poor characters. The story basically hopped around arcs like a crackedHonestly, this movie was all over the place. Superb CGI, world building, and Sci-Fi/fantasy ideas. Very poor story, poor dialogue, poor story telling, poor antagonist, and poor characters. The story basically hopped around arcs like a cracked up acid kangaroo without any general direction. While parts of this 'bouncing' were entertaining and general fun, at times I just wanted to throw up. One rescue arc suddenly turned into 5 *vomits*. The romance aspect of the movie were cliche and amped up to the point of being cringe worthy lovey duvey garbage. I generally thought the story was going to build up at some point to something 'larger' than life... but ultimately built up into pretty much the most disappointing finale i could have ever imagined for such a movie with such vivid imagination for world building it's almost as if the writers they hired for the main story arc had some kind of autism or something very painful to follow at times. All in all i'd say it's worth one watch, maybe even two... probably best enjoyed in imax 3D simply due to all of the cool CGI moments. But honestly, i was fairly disappointing by besson. he really needed to pick a better antagonist, story arc, and cut the fat, trim the belly of this rampant over-produced beast of a movie. 5/10… Expand

4 of 9 users found this helpful45

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4

KormosakosJul 21, 2017

I know Luc Besson's work, everyone sais that he is a first class director but from my perspective this movie was one more cause to put him into the same box where Zack Snyder will live the rest of his life. So i would have been impressed ifI know Luc Besson's work, everyone sais that he is a first class director but from my perspective this movie was one more cause to put him into the same box where Zack Snyder will live the rest of his life. So i would have been impressed if this film would have been great. But i could only say that i'm NOT impressed. Although i wasn't disappointed with it even because the screenplay was great and that's a good point from me. I guess we are still waiting for Luc Besson's big entry to the best directors box that contains Quentin Tarantino, Steven Spielberg and obviously Christopher Nolan… Expand

7 of 16 users found this helpful79

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6

JoeCoolAug 6, 2017

The movie is visually nothing short of stunning but that's about the only good thing you can say about it. The main actors aren't memorable or even likeable. There is no chemistry between them, the acting is quite forgettable. If you justThe movie is visually nothing short of stunning but that's about the only good thing you can say about it. The main actors aren't memorable or even likeable. There is no chemistry between them, the acting is quite forgettable. If you just want to take in the visuals of this wonderful world on the big screen it's quite the experience, but overall if you're into a movie with deeper meanings, emotions, or even story look elsewhere.… Expand

3 of 7 users found this helpful34

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5

EpicLadySpongeJul 21, 2017

Cheap-shot mediocre attempts to solve his own problems with the film itself, Luc Besson focuses more on what seems more important with Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets than what seems to be a problem with the film itself. YouCheap-shot mediocre attempts to solve his own problems with the film itself, Luc Besson focuses more on what seems more important with Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets than what seems to be a problem with the film itself. You expect someone who did work on The Fifth Element, Lucy, and the Taken trilogy to make this one seem worth watching but even if those films are ever considered watchable, then this film could too, but don't expect to be hyped for this movie. It looks watchable if you can avoid all the flaws, otherwise you'll have to wait for it to go straight to rent.… Expand

8 of 19 users found this helpful811

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6

k2kAug 5, 2017

Your enjoyment of this movie depends on how accepting you are of the two leads. Dale Dehane channels 90's Keanu Reeves and is utterly unconvincing as a kick-ass combat veteran who is in love with his partner. Cara Delevingne is completlyYour enjoyment of this movie depends on how accepting you are of the two leads. Dale Dehane channels 90's Keanu Reeves and is utterly unconvincing as a kick-ass combat veteran who is in love with his partner. Cara Delevingne is completly wooden and dull. There is no chemistry between the leads and it was extremely painful to watch. Forgetting all that, the movie itself is quite entertaining and looks spectacular. The leads are so bad though you might not be able to forgive it.… Expand

2 of 5 users found this helpful23

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4

Madmortagan68Mar 8, 2018

What a bizarre world Hollywood has become. Valerian is imaginative, creative, beautiful, and has impressive special effects. Yet, the movie is terrible. There are so many shortcomings to this movie but greatest offense is the terribleWhat a bizarre world Hollywood has become. Valerian is imaginative, creative, beautiful, and has impressive special effects. Yet, the movie is terrible. There are so many shortcomings to this movie but greatest offense is the terrible acting and dialogue. Whatever immersion could be gained from the special effects is quickly lost through nonsensical dialogue, poor deliveries, and characters that make no sense at all.

It seems we have made dumpster fires into an art… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

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4

SatanskiJul 20, 2019

The movie would be much better without this trying-to-modulate-voice-like-i-am-badass, man wannabe, pusy lol. Seriously... had to fast forward some scenes, becouse i couldn't watch this ass

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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4

TyranianMay 28, 2019

This film had some great ideas and awesome visuals and some terrible ideas that ruin the movie.