Valerian And The City Of A Thousand Planets - E...

The central failure, however, lies in the casting and characterization of its heroes. Valerian is written as a cocky, womanizing rogue, but DeHaan’s performance lacks the roguish charm of a young Harrison Ford or Bruce Willis. Instead, his delivery comes across as petulant and uncharismatic, making his relentless pursuit of Laureline feel less like romantic tension and more like workplace harassment. Conversely, Delevingne’s Laureline is competent, sharp, and consistently right, but she is forced to play a reactive role, perpetually annoyed by a partner the script insists is heroic. The pair share no romantic chemistry; their bickering feels sibling-like rather than passionate. This disconnect is fatal, as the film’s emotional core—Valerian’s attempt to prove his love by earning her respect—rests entirely on an unconvincing dynamic. In a genre where audiences connect through characters, Valerian offers two beautiful, expensive mannequins.

Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets is a reminder of what happens when a director is given total creative freedom. It is a sensory-overload experience that prioritizes wonder over tight plotting. For those tired of the "dark and gritty" sci-fi trope, Alpha offers a neon-soaked alternative that celebrates the diversity of the cosmos. Valerian And The City Of A Thousand Planets - E...

The city is the true protagonist. Divided into distinct biospheres (from a medieval kingdom to a water world to a techno-futuristic hub), Alpha feels alive. Besson fills every frame with thousands of visible details, alien languages on neon signs, and creatures designed by the late Mézières himself. The central failure, however, lies in the casting

Yes, there is an extended cut (approximately 8 minutes longer than the theatrical version). It does not fix the dialogue issues, but it adds crucial world-building scenes in Alpha, including a longer introduction to the "Kistans" (humanoid fish creatures) and an extended sequence of Valerian navigating the city’s red-light district. If you can find the Blu-ray extended edition, it is the definitive way to watch. In a genre where audiences connect through characters,