'Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets'

Space exploration, a massive human/alien community built over hundreds of years, and a plot that has a race of peaceful aliens on the brink of annihilation; honestly, what more could you ask for?

The movie begins in the modern era with the completion of the international space station. According to the stories' timeline, over the next, several hundred years the space station evolves from international to intergalactic. It appears that over the course the station's evolution, alien civilizations were welcomed into peace agreements with the shake of a hand. After a very visual time lapse of the station's growth, it is now so massive that Earth's gravity threatens to pull it to the ground, so the government decides to push the heavy station deeper into space.

We are then transported to a world that could be considered the perfect example of paradise, and we are introduced to a peaceful population that resides on an endless beach that would rival any resort found here on Earth. After tragedy strikes this planet (Mul), several decades pass and the main characters are revealed to be Valerian and Laureline (Dane Dehaan and Cara Delevingne). Two agents on assignment to recover a special 'converter' that has been stolen. We find ourselves on an epic journey from this point on that leads us back to where it all started, Alpha. The space station has grown from it's humble beginnings to now having over 30 million citizens (spamming multiple galaxies) and having thousands of intergalactic species; all living in diplomatic harmony. There is an abnormality in the center of Alpha that is growing and threatens to destroy the station. With that, I will let you discover the epic conclusion all on your own, but watching the story unveil will be similar to the most wonderful dream about the most satisfying fantasy novel ever written.

From beginning to end this movie sunk it's hooks into my nerd brain so deep, I could literally do nothing else for the film's entirety. Near the start I was a little hesitant, because I felt that it could be a huge let down. Much to my pleasant surprise, I fell in love with the story and the characters. I did not expect to 'feel' much during this watch, but there were several moments that brought me to the verge of tears, had me laughing in an empty apartment, and was simply awe struck by the imagery that was illustriously displayed before my eyes. I think that what took me most by surprise was how well Cara and Dane interacted throughout the film. At first, it was quirky and awkward, but the expert writers brought their relationship about and into something that was deep, yet lighthearted, and very relatable. Making hard choices while maintaining your own integrity is the balance that we all strive for in our lives. When we want to fall in love and let down our guards to completely let someone in, is the eternal form of trust and vulnerability. We get to watch how these walls are slowly eroded, as Laureline realizes that Valerian truly does love and care for her on a level that surpasses mere infatuation.

Although the love story is not the main focus, the writers cleverly hint at it throughout, and in ways that instantly allow you to forget where you are in the plot. I absolutely applaud them for this style. Too many films today over-saturate the specific feelings they aim at you to feel, or leave you feeling like you're dying of thirst in the Sahara. This is of course a futuristic, space fantasy, and there is plenty to keep you within that present mind, however, we learn that love, compassion, and even forgiveness and second chances know no spatial boundaries. We also learn how much damage can be caused by the fear of consequence. One person can destroy so many relationships and even worlds (in this case) by avoiding the outcome of their own personal decisions. This world struggles quite enough today with acceptance and toleration, and I challenge anyone reading this to not add to that hate and the violence, and to rise above our baser emotions.

On the final note, this movie was fantastic. From the acting, writing, visuals, and emotions: it will not leave you hanging. It will confuse you at certain points, will thrill you at others, but will ultimately fulfill that inner-nerd void that we all have for the fantasy epic. I had never heard of this story before, but come to find out that it was a written series from back in the 70s. Sit back and enjoy this ride. I personally hope that they don't stop with the making of only the one film, because this could be a series that would be highly coveted and enjoyed by multiple generations to come. Thank you for reading.