Valerian - Die Stadt der tausend Planeten

I expected much much more...especially from LB.

So much potential in the story but the actors, dialogs and main characters simply didnt do the job.

It could have been one of the best movies but in the end its nothing....such potential, such visuals, such story...all went down the drain.

Adapted from Pierre Christin and Jean-Claude Mézières long-running French sci-fi comics series Valérian And Laureline. Luc Besson creates a stunning visual feast. Besson's attention to detail is immaculate. And that along side the quirky dialog's between Laureline and Valerian are what keep this film afloat. I might be in the minority, but I prefer my films to be lengthy. However in this case, Valerian feels overstuffed trying to add more depth to the story at every turn. This film might have benefited from a shorter run time. The biggest surprise was Laureline(Delevingne), her character is what kept my interest throughout the film and her acting was actually on point. As someone who was skeptical about her casting, I'm glad to be proved wrong. Not saying it's her breakout performance, Just saying she's improving and perhaps she might have a future as an actress. Everyone deserves a second chance.

Grade: B-

Two scrawny kids are presented as two of the best in the military / secret service. A General and a Sergeant, who look more like they would be good at helping you use an app on your phone. Valerian wants to marry Laureline for no apparent reason, and maintains a somewhat bored routine of presumptuous courting throughout

Unfortunately I could not get past this huge miss-casting. It removes any potential tension throughout because as the viewer you feel more capable of whatever task needs to be done by the protagonists

The script is also throwaway, full of obvious plot developments and overused dialogue

What brings the rating up to a 5 is that the visuals are both very creative and abundant. There are enough fantastical monsters, weapons, architecture, worlds, space ships etc to fill a trilogy

If only Luc Besson had got a script writer and cast as good as he did for Fifth Element, he'd have another cult classic.

So many positives for the film - good, complex story, excellent world building and great effects, and even a nod to the Fifth Element for Besson fans. And one negative - Dane DeHaan is not an action adventure leading man. What was Besson thinking? Sadly this is too big a negative to ignore and it completely ruins a film that could have been great.

I don't know DeHaan personally, he may be a great guy who is kind to puppies. But he simply does not have the on screen leading man charisma needed for a film like this. Instead of the cool, attractive, manly man with a hint of menace who can be relied on to battle the baddies and save the girl (like he is in the comics) DeHaan comes across like a slightly creepy looking entitled teenager who has decided that he's going to spend Daddy's money on being a space hero. You will hate him.

Unlike other reviewers, I actually think that Cara Delevingne is very good in this - her acting has vastly improved since Suicide Squad. That shame is that had she been opposite a better leading man it would have been far easier to spot

I thought that the movie overall was okay. Good, but not Great. The cinematography looks great.

My biggest issue with the movie is the Chemistry, Acting, and Dialogue between the 2 main Protagonist.

1. There wasn't a lot of Chemistry between the 2 main characters. There wasn't enough personality to draw us into the movie, and to love the characters. I want to feel like I am rooting for the protagonists, but it is hard to do in this movie.

2. I did not like Dane DeHaan's acting. It looks like he is trying too hard to be the cool guy. Maybe that was the character that he was supposed to play. But I just dislike his character. One moment he is trying to act cool, another moment he is trying to act stubborn, and then he tries to play the hero.

I don't think it works. It might be his acting, but it might primarily be the role or character of the main protagonist.

3. The dialogue between the 2 main characters aren't great. It seems like the director just want them to argue back and forth the entire movie. I don't think it works. I don't think it builds enough of a chemistry between the 2 main characters. It doesn't make the 2 main characters lovable. I think making the protagonists lovable go a long way.

This movie was okay. It was good, but it was not great. It could have been better. They could have made the movie as good as "The Fifth Element" or "The Avatar" with a little more work and better writing.