Luc Besson poured his soul into a kaleidoscopic space opera that defies visual logic. This vibrant odyssey trades narrative depth for pure aesthetic overload, creating a universe where every frame costs a fortune. Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets represents a risky, heartfelt gamble on the potential of European sci-fi cinema.
Detailed Summary
The Destruction of Mül
Peaceful, pearlescent humanoids live on a tropical paradise called Mül, where they harvest energy pearls from the sea. Their bliss shatters when massive space debris falls from the sky, incinerating their world and killing millions. Princess Lihö-Minaa sends a final psychic plea into the cosmos just before she perishes in the fire.
The Mission at Big Market
Major Valerian and Sergeant Laureline travel to the massive desert planet Kirian to intercept a rare converter creature. This tiny dragon can replicate anything it eats, making it a highly valuable asset for the government. Valerian slips into a different dimension to steal the creature while Laureline keeps watch in the desert sun.
They escape a horde of angry mercenaries and head back to Alpha, a massive space station housing thousands of species. On the way, Valerian realizes his recent dreams about the destruction of Mül might be real psychic memories. Laureline remains skeptical of his visions, focusing instead on their immediate military orders.
Conspiracy on Alpha
Commander Arun Filitt briefs the pair on an internal threat growing deep within the core of the station. An unknown radioactive zone is expanding, threatening to destroy the entire interconnected habitat. During the meeting, humanoid aliens from Valerian’s dreams suddenly attack the command center and kidnap Filitt.
Valerian chases the kidnappers into the forbidden zone, only to lose contact with Laureline after crashing his ship. Laureline eventually tracks him down with the help of three information brokers who demand a steep price for leur data. She discovers Valerian unconscious in an area controlled by a hostile subterranean species.
Bubbles and the Rescue
Laureline gets captured by a primitive emperor who intends to eat her brain for a ritual feast. Valerian enlists the help of Bubble, a shapeshifting alien performer who works in a seedy cabaret. Bubble uses her various disguises to infiltrate the palace and help Valerian save his partner from certain death.
The trio escapes the palace, but Bubble sustains fatal injuries during the frantic retreat. Before she passes away, she tells Valerian that his love for Laureline is more important than any military rank. They finally reach the center of the radioactive zone, where the mystery of the Mül refugees finally unravels.
Movie Ending
Valerian and Laureline discover that the mysterious invaders are actually the peaceful survivors from Mül. These refugees lived inside the radioactive zone for decades, building a new home from salvaged spaceship parts. They learned technology and language from the various species on Alpha to prepare for their eventual departure.
The survivors explain that Commander Filitt actually caused the destruction of their world during a past galactic war. Specifically, he ordered the use of fusion bombs that sent burning debris crashing into their planet. Filitt has spent years covering up this genocide to protect his reputation and career.
The Pearl people need the converter and the last energy pearl to power their new world-ship. Valerian faces a moral crisis because he must choose between his military soul and doing what is right. Laureline eventually convinces him to hand over the stolen artifacts to the rightful owners.
Filitt sends a legion of robotic soldiers to eliminate the refugees and the two agents. However, the Pearl people successfully board their vessel and launch into the stars just as the station guards arrive. Valerian and Laureline drift in an old escape pod, where he finally proposes marriage to her while they wait for rescue.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No extra scenes appear during or after the credits of this film. Audiences can safely leave the theater or turn off the screen once the final credits roll. The story concludes definitively as the screen fades to black.
Type of Movie
This film is a high-concept science fiction adventure with heavy space opera elements. It prioritizes world-building and visual spectacles over traditional character arcs or gritty realism. Consequently, the tone shifts frequently between lighthearted banter, romantic tension, and frantic action sequences.
Cast
- Dane DeHaan – Valerian
- Cara Delevingne – Laureline
- Clive Owen – Commander Arun Filitt
- Rihanna – Bubble
- Ethan Hawke – Jolly the Pimp
- Herbie Hancock – Defense Minister
- Kris Wu – Captain Neza
- Sam Spruell – General Okto Bar
Film Music and Composer
Alexandre Desplat composed the majestic and whimsical orchestral score for this intergalactic journey. He recorded the music with the Orchestre National de France, providing a sophisticated sound to the alien landscapes. Notably, the film also features modern pop songs, including an opening sequence set to David Bowie’s Space Oddity.
Filming Locations
Luc Besson filmed most of the movie at Cité du Cinéma in Saint-Denis, located just north of Paris. He built massive physical sets there, though digital effects replaced nearly every background in the final cut. This location allowed the director to maintain total control over the complex lighting and stunt choreography required for the project.
Awards and Nominations
The film received several nominations for its technical achievements, specifically in the categories of visual effects and set design. For instance, the Saturn Awards recognized it for its impressive production values.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- Luc Besson began drafting the script after decades of loving the original French comic book series.
- The visual effects houses Weta Digital and Industrial Light & Magic collaborated on the project for the first time.
- Designers created over 200 different alien species to populate the City of a Thousand Planets.
- Cara Delevingne underwent months of physical training to perform many of her own stunts and fights.
- The production budget exceeded 200 million dollars, making it the most expensive independent film ever produced at the time.
Inspirations and References
The movie adapts the French comic book series Valérian and Laureline, which first debuted in 1967. Authors Pierre Christin and Jean-Claude Mézières heavily influenced the aesthetic of the Star Wars franchise with their early artwork. Furthermore, Besson utilized the same vibrant color palettes he used years ago for The Fifth Element.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
Deleted scenes mainly focus on extended interactions between the secondary alien species living on Alpha. One cut sequence involved more dialogue between Valerian and the information brokers in the market. In contrast, the ending remained consistent throughout production, as Besson always intended for the Pearl people to find a new home.
Book Adaptations and Differences
While the film uses the comic series as its foundation, it combines elements from several different volumes. The movie focuses heavily on the Ambassador of the Shadows story arc while adding the tragic backstory of the Pearls. Additionally, the film emphasizes the romance between the leads more than the original source material does.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- The opening montage showing the progressive growth of the Alpha space station over hundreds of years.
- The chase through the Big Market where Valerian teleports his arm into different physical dimensions.
- Rihanna’s shapeshifting dance performance in the cabaret which showcases several different alien costumes.
- The final departure of the Pearl people in their massive, glowing spacecraft.
Iconic Quotes
- “I’m a soldier. I’m trained to follow orders.”
- “Love is even more powerful than all the rules.”
- “You’re not just a team. You’re a pair.”
- “Welcome to Alpha, the City of a Thousand Planets.”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- Several alien species from The Fifth Element appear as tiny background cameos in the station scenes.
- The flag on the original 1975 docking vessel is the flag of the United Nations.
- Mondoshawan silhouettes can be spotted in some of the crowded marketplace wide shots.
- A small model of the ship from the comic books sits on a table in Valerian’s quarters.
Trivia
- The film contains 2,734 visual effects shots, which is significantly more than many contemporary superhero movies.
- Dane DeHaan and Cara Delevingne were cast because Besson liked their natural chemistry during initial meetings.
- Each alien species has its own detailed biology and history documented in a massive production Bible.
- The production required seven separate sound stages to accommodate the various alien environments.
Why Watch?
The film offers a visual splendor that few other sci-fi movies can match. Interestingly, it feels like a fever dream of color and creativity. You should watch it to experience a unique, European take on the traditional space adventure. Ultimately, its world-building is breathtaking even if the plot follows familiar beats.
Director’s Other Movies
- Léon: The Professional (1994)
- The Fifth Element (1997)
- Lucy (2014)
- The Big Blue (1988)
Recommended Films for Fans
- Jupiter Ascending (2015)
- John Carter (2012)
- Avatar (2009)
- Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
