MOVIE: Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets

THE two definitions of Valerian:  a major motion picture based on a French comic book series and directed by the man who brought you

‘The Fifth Element’ and

‘Lucy’; also, a wild herb whose root is used to send you to sleep. Now that’s unfortunate!

The film, which is set in the 28th century, opens on a magical picture postcard planet of blue skies and seas, where the locals live in blissful harmony with the environment. 

That peace is soon disturbed by an invading force, and it’s from this point that we meet our hero, Valerian (played by Dane DeHaan) and his colleague and love interest, Laureline (played by Cara Delevingne).

The two work as special operatives, charged with maintaining order throughout the human territories, and soon find themselves on a mission to the unique city of Alpha, an ever-expanding metropolis where species from all over the universe have converged. 

No prizes for guessing what happens from here; the same thing that happens in every movie like this: our heroes must track down an evil force and save the universe from destruction. We wonder will they manage to do it?

The movie is a combination of many things, and certainly a visual feast for the eyes. The opening sequence is breathtaking and the film may have been better served to stay a while longer on this paradise planet. 

In many ways, the melting pot formula is a drawback, as you can’t help feeling this is a project produced by a European Commission committee. A French director, a cameo from Rutger Hauer and, oh, some Belgian money as well. 

DeHaan (

‘Life’ and

‘Lincoln’) is an unconvincing lead, and his tiny shoulders seem too weak to carry a film of this magnitude. 

Delevingne is better but her constantly indignant attitude eventually becomes tiresome. What this film scores highly on are its visuals, and it’s perhaps rightly being peddled as a 3D experience. Though

‘Valerian’ may have just about enough to keep you awake, based on its opening, it could have been so much more. We score it a drowsy, 2.5 stars. 

Paul O’Rourke