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.
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.