As this film opens we learn how the International Space Station gradually grew in size and importance until its gravity started to affect the Earth; It is pushed away but continues to grow ultimately becoming Alpha; a city in space that supports beings from a thousand planets. We then see the idyllic Planet Mül... at least it is idyllic until a space battle leads to the planet's destruction; only a handful of locals survive. We then cut to the film's protagonists; Major Valerian and his partner Sergeant Laureline who appear to be relaxing on a beach... in fact they on a spaceship minutes from their destination. Once there Valerian is tasked with retrieving the last Mül Converter; a creature that replicates anything it eats.

This is just the start of the adventure; shortly after they return to Alpha with the Mül Converter Commander Arun Filitt is kidnapped by aliens and taken to an area of Alpha that has apparently become contaminated; anybody who investigates disappears. Valerian and Laureline are tasked with rescuing him. During this rescue they are separated and must rescue each other before finally finding the Commander and learning the truth about the planet Mül.

If you liked Luc Besson's previous sci-fi classic 'The Fifth Element' but thought it a little too restrained then this is the film for you! The story may be pretty simple but the execution gives us numerous exotic aliens and a brilliantly realised city that we swoop through as our protagonists travel through it. The special effects are top notch; some of the aliens may look a bit rubbery but that adds to their charm. Actors Dane DeHaan and Cara Delevingne do fine jobs as Valerian and Laureline; they might not be in line for awards but their performances suited the nature of the film. There is also a fun performance from singer Rihanna as Bubble, a shapeshifting alien. Overall I found this to a lot of fun; if you want something deep and meaningful this won't be for you but if you want good brain-in-neutral sci-fi action that is suitable for all but the youngest viewers you could be a lot worse.

Orbiting Alpha Space Station accepts astronauts from around the globe. Then alien species start arriving forming an intergalatic society. It is endangered in low orbit and is sent into deep space. Centuries in the future, Valerian (Dane DeHaan) and his partner Laureline (Cara Delevingne) are human Federal agents on Alpha. Valerian is infused with some unknown memories. The two are directed by their commander Filitt (Clive Owen) on a mission.

This is an all-out effort from filmmaker Luc Besson. It is wildly visual with Besson's exuberant style. The weakness comes from the script. It is relatively straight forward but it needs some cleaning up. For example, I question at first whether the two leads are actual federal agents. They could be thieves pretending to be federal police. It's an easy fix to start with more clarity. DeHaan is a perfectly fine actor although this role may more fit someone like Chris Pratt. I also notice a clear similar look between DeHaan and Delevingne. They could fit better as siblings which would allow them to drop the forced romantic story. I don't think either do well as romantic leads and it struggles to have a combative romance. All in all, the visual pizzazz outweights any shortcomings in the script or the story flow. Luc Besson continues to have his own visual style.

VALERIAN AND THE CITY OF A THOUSAND PLANETS is the latest French film from director Luc Besson, one of those talents who remains unpredictable throughout. Sadly it's one of his most limited and limiting affairs, more overblown than even THE FIFTH ELEMENT, a mindless science fiction comic book adaptation which is all visuals and little story. The film contains two young lovers who bicker and fight their way through a plot involving planetary destruction with bits and pieces of STAR WARS and AVATAR added to the mix. This mostly feels like one of those unfortunate STAR WARS prequels, all about the CGI and little else. The effects are pretty decent but then with a budget in the region of two hundred million dollars you'd expect them to be. Unfortunately, the rest of the film is poor. The story is pitifully shallow and very ordinary and the script limited to endless cliches and unfunny humour. Dane DeHaan gives a thoroughly wooden performance as the lead, but even he looks good in comparison to the absolutely horrible Cara Delevingne; it would have been nice had they cast someone who could actually act, rather than a model for their looks. She's in good company with the equally bad Rihanna and I hate the idea of young talent missing out on roles filled by awful models and singers. Genuine actors like Clive Owen have little to do other than show up and grab their pay cheques, but you can hardly blame them for not wanting to be in this stinker much.