In the 28th century, special operatives Valerian (Dane DeHaan) and Laureline (Cara Delevingne) work together to maintain order throughout the human territories. Under assignment from the minister of defense, the team of two embarks on a mission to Alpha, an ever-expanding metropolis where diverse species gather to share knowledge and culture. When a dark force threatens the peaceful city, Valerian and Laureline must race against time to identify the menace that also jeopardizes the future of the universe.
As an aside, on the way to saving the universe, they meet Jolly the Pimp (Ethan Hawke) and Bubble (Rihanna) who performs an erotically sensational pole dance that had little to do with the storyline, but was a fabulous, head-scratching treat. (“Is that really Rihanna?”)
VALERIAN and THE CITY OF A THOUSAND PLANETS, directed by Luc Besson, was visually beautiful with incredibly magnificent 3-D special effects, and a few breathless moments. However, 2 hours and 17 minutes was much too long, and as gorgeous as they were, there was absolutely no chemistry between the actors playing the two main characters. Sorry.
Director, Luc Besson
Cara Delevingne – Laureline
Dane DeHaan – Valerian
Rihanna – Bubble
Clive Owen – Commander Arun Filitt
Ethan Hawke – Jolly the Pimp
John Goodman – voice
Kris Wu – Sergeant Neza
Sam Spruell – General Okto Bar
Elizabeth Debicki – voice
