Filmmaker Luc Besson's indulgent, incomprehensible sci-fi fantasy epic centers on an episodic series of missions originating on Alpha, a space station in the Magellan Current that keeps expanding, adding new entities to become an intergalactic, multicultural hub. Inspired by 1960s-era French comic books by Jean-Claude Mézières and Pierre Christin, the story focuses on two 28th-century space adventurers: cocky Major Valerian (Dane DeHaan) and sassy Sergeant Laureline (British fashion model Cara Delevingne). They are military-trained operatives and longtime partners, traveling on a spacecraft called Alex, and reporting to the Minister of Defense (Herbie Hancock). After the near-eradication of a peaceful, iridescent beach species called Pearls, they embark on a mission that takes them to the Big Market, an extra-dimensional tourist bazaar on the planet Kirian, where they retrieve a rare creature—a Mul Converter, the last of its kind, which can make copies of whatever it ingests—from black marketer Igon Sirus (John Goodman). Another mission involves flamboyant Jolly the Pimp (Ethan Hawke), who has enslaved an exotic, shape-shifting “glamapod” named Bubble (Rihanna) in Paradise Alley. And there's sinister, megalomaniacal military commander Arun Filitt (Clive Owen), and the Doghan Daguis—a CGI trio of furry, fast-talking platypus-like critters who broker information. Plot-wise, it's all very confusing, although some will be able to just sit back and enjoy the dizzying visual spectacle. A strong optional purchase. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include the behind-the-scenes documentary “Citizens of Imagination: Creating the Universe of Valerian” (59 min.), “Enhancement Pods” brief production segments (36 min.), and an art photo gallery. Exclusive to the Blu-ray release are bonus DVD, digital, and UltraViolet copies of the film. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a cinematically dazzling but narratively weightless popcorn flick.] (S. Granger)
Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets
Lionsgate, 137 min., PG-13, DVD: $29.95, Blu-ray/DVD Combo: $39.99, Nov. 21 Volume 32, Issue 6
Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets
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