Rather than relying on the dark, gritty, dystopian aesthetics common in modern sci-fi, Besson opts for a vibrant, neon-soaked, maximalist color palette. The opening sequence, set to David Bowie’s "Space Oddity," beautifully traces the station's history from humanity's handshake with aliens in Earth's orbit to a massive, floating mega-city out in deep space. 👽 Extraterrestrial Diversity and Narrative Creativity
This sequence showcases Besson’s narrative dexterity. Valerian (Dane DeHaan) navigates the physical desert world while simultaneously fighting extraction teams in the multi-tiered, virtual metropolis. The sequence demands that the audience track two realities at once, utilizing inventive camera work and editing to seamlessly bridge the gap between a barren wasteland and a neon-drenched shopping mega-mall. It remains one of the most original action concepts in 21st-century science fiction. The Tragedy of Mül: A Visual Echo of Avatar
Upon its release, Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets polarized critics just as much as its box-office performance polarized the market. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a "Rotten" approval rating of around 48-51%. Critics' reviews often praised the film's visionary aesthetics while decrying its narrative and character work. Valerian And The City Of A Thousand Planets - E...
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is a 2017 space opera epic directed by Luc Besson, based on the groundbreaking French comic series Valérian and Laureline . Visually stunning and wildly imaginative, the film is a vibrant explosion of color and creativity that pushes the boundaries of modern CGI. The World of Alpha Rather than relying on the dark, gritty, dystopian
When visionary French director Luc Besson released Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets in 2017, it arrived as a staggering monument to independent filmmaking. Armed with a budget of nearly $200 million, Besson bypassed Hollywood’s traditional studio system to adapt the beloved 1967 French comic series Valérian and Laureline by Pierre Christin and Jean-Claude Mézières. The result was a cinematic experience defined by its sheer scale, unprecedented visual ambition, and an uncompromising dedication to worldbuilding.
The film's cast underwent extensive training to prepare for their roles, with DeHaan and Delevingne performing many of their own stunts. The film's visual effects team used cutting-edge technology to create the film's stunning visuals, with a focus on creating a seamless blend of practical and CGI effects. Valerian (Dane DeHaan) navigates the physical desert world
While it divided critics and struggled to find a massive audience at the global box office, the film has earned a dedicated cult following. Its breathtaking world-building, boundary-pushing visual effects, and unapologetic eccentricity offer a stark contrast to the formulaic nature of modern Hollywood blockbusters. The Roots of Alpha: From Comic Page to Silver Screen
The writing was also a frequent target. The dialogue was described as “stilted” and “cheesy,” and the romantic subplot between Valerian and Laureline was seen as forced and, in its early stages, highly problematic. One of the film‘s opening scenes, where Valerian propositions his subordinate on a fake beach, was widely interpreted as a scene of workplace sexual harassment, leaving a bad taste that many viewers could not get past. The plot was often described as “clunky,” “meandering,” and a pale imitation of better films like Avatar . As of its release, the film holds a “rotten” .
Upon release, Valerian was considered a financial disappointment (grossing only $225 million against its massive budget). Yet, in the streaming era, it has found a cult second life. Why?