“Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets,” directed by Luc Besson and released in 2017, is an ambitious science fiction film that stands out for its stunning visual effects, imaginative world-building, and complex narrative.
Adapted from the French comic series “Valérian and Laureline” by Pierre Christin and Jean-Claude Mézières, the film attempts to bring the expansive and visually rich universe of the comics to the big screen. This essay explores the film’s narrative structure, visual style, thematic elements, and its impact on the science fiction genre.
Set in the 28th century, “Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets” follows Valerian (Dane DeHaan) and Laureline (Cara Delevingne), elite special operatives tasked with maintaining order in the vast and diverse universe. The film’s central plot revolves around their mission to uncover a conspiracy that threatens the peace of Alpha, a massive space station known as the City of a Thousand Planets. Alpha is a hub of intergalactic activity, hosting millions of inhabitants from across the galaxy.
