amazon Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets reviews
Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets opens with the story of the human space station Alpha built in 1975. This is where species from all over the universe live peacefully and exchange knowledge and culture. Having spent decades operating on its mission, this station soon became a giant landfill and humanity sought to “dispose” it. And the story goes on to two Valerian and Laureline agents of humanity. This part must be reserved for those who have not watched yet.
If you love watching action adventure movies, you probably know the name Luc Besson. He is the writer of a lot of good films, such as Léon: The Professional, The Fifth Element, District B13 or closer to the film Transporter and Taken. Much of this French director-writer’s film is in the form of an entertaining act, with a plot line with a bit of knotty and humor.
From the beginning of the film, Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets brought me feeling quite familiar. The movie is like the version of Luc Besson own, so colorful and picky, but the world is darker. The skill in the film is invested a lot, and I can only say the word “beautiful”. But if you expect that world to be as beautiful as the Na’vi in Avatar, then you will be disappointed. There are no large forests, instead of the beautiful golden sand beach Pearl. There is also no wildlife with all kinds of strange shapes, only the tiny mulch is very cute, funny.
where can you get a Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets online
Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets: Buy it now
Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets [Blu-ray]: Buy it now
Honestly, I do not like the Pearl shape. It has something familiar from the Na’vi in Avatar by James Cameron. Even the costumes of this tribe are the same, although the color is much brighter. But that can not hide the unreasonable similarity of the two clans in these two different worlds. Not only that, the Pearl characters are more or less similar to the characters in the Na’vi of Avatar. Maybe the familiar feeling comes from here and I do not like this at all. It is equally coincident that the world of the Pearl is as beautiful as the Na’vi’s Pandora paradise.
Not only the Pearl people, shaping the two main characters also made me quite disappointed. Valerian (Dane DeHaan) is known as a “girl killer”, proud of himself smart, handsome but look pretty … foolish. He’s so stupid that you can not believe that he’s a good girl with a long list of “victims” who are looking for new co-workers. In contrast, Laureline (Cara Delevingne) is a hot girl or dress but the face is not very attractive. I personally feel that the two main characters have something wrong that can not explain. The two characters themselves did not create good interaction for the film. Their acting was not exactly good.
Ignoring the two main characters, Bubble (Rihanna) is the character that makes me feel the most interesting. Her appearance and facial expressions are quite subtle, reflecting the spirit of the character. The talent show of this talented singer was as impressive as Valerian’s sincere compliment. Regrettably, this is just a supporting role and the appearance time is not much. Male actor veteran Clive Owen as General Arun Filitt the opposite, leaving no impression. I’m not impressed with the character, so I will not be able to list it to avoid revealing the movie to anyone who has not watched it.
The circuit led the content quite well, but in some places it made me feel a bit sparse, lacking something. I myself do not like the script, it is nothing new and simple. Compared to the previous films of this French director, it looks a bit poor. Even the future world of humanity in the film also has many familiarities from The Fifth Element, a film also made by Luc Besson. If you have ever seen this movie, you will easily recognize the cars flying between skyscrapers. Where there are sailing boats floating between the zero for the purpose of trade. This world is exactly the same in The Fifth Element. Even some old ideas from this film are re-used in Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets.
Narrative Structure and Plot
Plot outline
“Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets” is set in the future when humanity has made contact with many alien civilizations. The movie follows Valerian (Dane DeHaan) and Laureline (Cara Delevingne), two special operatives who are responsible for keeping the peace in the galaxy. The gist of the story follows the duo on a mission investigating a mysterious force interfering with the peace and stability of Alpha-the so-called”City of a Thousand Planets”-a huge space station playing the role of a melting pot of cultures and species.
The flashback into the ’70s, depicting the emergence of Alpha and the very first contact between men and aliens, sets the scene. Now, Alpha has become a great conglomerate, a huge metropolis with the greatest sharing of ever life forms. Then the plot thickens when Valerian and Laureline were assigned to the mission of recovering a stolen item of tremendous power that led into a maze of conspiracy endangering the entire city.
Pacing and Storytelling
Nevertheless, pacing is a mixed bag. The first act is a whirl of exposition and world-building, and its visual splendor can be overwhelming at times. Characters, alien races, and plot elements ruthlessly intermingle and dart in and out, challenging the audience’s ability to keep track. The middle section of the film descends into the slowest approach as the characters embark on the deepening of their mission, deepening with character development and exploration of the mystery at hand. The last act opens with a full course of action and suspense, culminating in a showdown worth a view that stitches the entire fabric of story together.
Ambitious as his storytelling may be, it is sometimes also heavily laden with facts. Whenever one is desiring to build a magnificent world, this kind of richness in itself can detract from the very pesky business of telling a good story. There were so many subplots and points of view that it became hugely confusing, especially when trying to balance an epic feel with such personal stakes.
Character Supporting
There is a plethora of supporting characters scattered throughout this incredible film-from various alien species to minor characters of a secondary flavor. Besides, Clive Owen makes a mark as Commander Arun Filitt-the chief antagonist who is central to the film’s plot. Owen appears quite at best in this strong portray of a highly authoritative persona that ultimately fails to capture the audience’s heart with the nuances found in such characters.
Rihanna also hits the roll as Bubble, a shape-shifting alien who plays a significant part in the movie. Her performance is fantastic, offering both whimsy and pathos to the film, thus deepening the reconnaissance in its narrative. Bubble’s special capabilities, in addition to her link with Valerian and Laureline, are responsible for some of the film’s best-spent seconds.
Visual Design and Special Effects
Building the World Beauty
One of the best things about the movie is the visual design. “Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets” is altogether a visual treat-an indeed novel, though vibrant and really imaginative universe. Alpha is the City of a Thousand Planets, but it’s the architecture and alien cultures, the amassing details that really stand out in its vastness.
There is an aesthetic similarity between the comic series and this film because it blends futuristic technology by fantastical elements. Well, different alienism is ingeniously developed-the unique characteristics they all have with flair then afforded a specific visual uniqueness. In addition to the theme of color and lighting, the effects work their magic to set the mood for the otherworldly.
Special Effects and Action Sequences
An important item in “Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets” is its special effects-in fact, it’s main claim to fame. The newest in CGI is poured out onto the screen to prove its advanced fantasy world. Dynamic action sequences capitalized on great choreography and visual effects that well dramatize battle and chase scenes.
On the other hand, too much reliance on CGI has also rendered the tangibility of realism to the tangible surface of the earth beyond the detachment created in some scenes of crucial moments. However, indeed, the overall presentation of the film is a clear testimony of its broad ambit as well as creatively stretching.
Themes and Meaning
Identity Diversity Exploration
“Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets” is the exploration of identity and diversity-with its offering of the City of a Thousand Planets. In this way, it seems that the film has defined a multi-ethnic metropolis, proving the importance of inclusiveness and understanding in society. The relationships that different alien species forge with their cultures embody the very message itself concerning the significance of cooperation regarding mutual respect.
For instance, the characters travel down roads defined by personal identities and transformations. Then, of course, the development of Valerian and Laureline’s relationship toward a new beginning will embrace more of the self-discovery-and-partnership kinds of themes in the end. Viewers are encouraged to introspect on their own personal identity and how they relate to others through what happens in the film’s narrative.
A Hero Excursion Classic Trellis
Indeed, the film plot conceives the conventional hero’s journey to test exotic foldthrough impeccably alluded: Valerian and Laureline undertake a task, as it weighs on them an initiation and solidifies the alliance. Where the famous tropes of the genre converge to use science fiction-the rogue hero, the enigmatic mentor, the hidden villain.
These are the familiar tropes which, however, increased the predictability attached to the film. Adhering to such conventions invariably causes sagging flesh in speakers’ ears. Nevertheless, the employment of these conventions in the film is, all generally speaking, done well; those old narratives are revitalized often enough to maintain their interest within them.
Reception and Impact: Critical Response
It was in a rather mixed bag of honors that “Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets” received from critics abroad. The film has indeed been looked upon by most critics as visual splendor and imaginative world-building, contributing to a well-done project in the science fiction cinema branch. Meanwhile, the film received flak for narrative complexity and pacing as some reviewers marked the story convoluted for failing to develop enough characters.
The reception for the film also changed due to the earnings he made at the box office. Even after wowing audiences with phenomenal visual effects and aspirations, “Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets” could not seem to capture a large audience, failing to achieve what was once considered promising commercial success. This mixed reception has triggered debates on whether thus big-budget science fiction could ever maintain such a balance between spectacle and content.
Cultural Impact
Despite the rather mixed reactions from critics, “Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets” has already made its mark in shaping the science fiction genre. It is held that the approaches toward innovative visual design combined with grand storytelling are some of the ways the film is helping change the course of space opera cinema. Such strong world-building and breathtaking imagination have inspired numerous other filmmakers and rekindled some interest in the genre.
Similarly, the adaptation of the classic French comic series lies within the much more colorful nature of global cinema today. By bringing an adored European comic to a worldwide audience, “Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets” adds to the trend wherein cultures tell stories increasingly across international boundaries.
In conclusion
“Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets” is an awe-inspiring and ambitious science fiction film, an exhibition of Luc Besson’s singular vision. Its gorgeous portrayal of a multiethnic and imaginative universe, compounded with rapid transformation effects, earns a place among the best. At times, however, the complex storytelling and over-reliance on CGI mitigate its overall experience.
The film tackles subjects such as identity, diversity, and the hero’s journey, enriching its narrative, whereas its evidence of influence within the science fiction genre speaks for itself. Mixed reviews notwithstanding, “Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets” is still a triumph in visual storytelling and a classic space opera.
The film captivates the imagination of any sci-fi lover or world-builder. Even if it is not a perfect movie, its ambitiousness and creativity make it a genre-standout, and there is no one-to-one talk-to-bar about its impact on present-day cinema.