Film Preview: Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets (2017)

Page Revisions:

(November 13, 2016) Original
(April 2, 2017) New Trailer (#2) / New Poster (#2)
(May 28, 2017) New Trailer (#3) / New Posters (#3-#12)
(July 16, 2017) New Posters (#13-#15)

Release Date:

July 21, 2017

Synopsis:

From IMDb: “Time-traveling agent Valerian is sent to investigate a galactic empire, along with his partner Laureline.”

Poster Rating: C+ / C- / B / C+ (9) / B- / B / C

SEE ALL POSTERS BELOW
Review: (#1) A rich, colorful design that isn’t as intricate or fascinating as it should be.

(#2) A giant “V.” It’s so very exciting that I forgot to breathe. Or maybe that was to avoid the stench of bland, unnecessary simplicity.

(#3) The “V” concept may be growing on me. Here, it’s used to satisfying effect with a richly-detailed internal design with plenty of compelling creatures and entities. The extra blank white space isn’t great, but it all works. (#4-#12) This series of characters posters have the same problem as the others, too much white space, but they are varied enough in terms of content, coloration, and positioning that they are interesting enough.

(#13) The color scheme isn’t great, but it’s a jam-packed poster with plenty to look at, which makes it modestly engaging. (#14) Like the primary English-language poster, this French design has a lot of fascinating elements presented pleasantly. (#15) There isn’t anything particularly compelling about this poster, but it’s moderately pleasing.

Trailer Rating: B+ / B / C+

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Review: (#1) The visual-pizzazz in this trailer is astounding. If there’s one thing Luc Besson excels at, it’s that. However, like the Wachowskis, Besson’s films tend to have a thin veneer of beauty without an underlying depth. The jury may be out on how compelling the story is in this, but there’s no doubt there will be plenty of visceral thrills.

(#2) The Beatles track that accompanied the prior trailer shows up too late in this one and while there are plenty of visually daring vistas on display, the trailers continue to provide precious little plot detail.

(#3) The adventurous nature of the prior trailers doesn’t quite come through in this latest, which seems to avoid action in favor of showcasing its effects, but only a handful of them. It’s the kind of trailer that makes one rethink one’s interest in the film.

Oscar Prospects:

The last time Luc Besson had a sci-fi action film (albeit a comedy, The Fifth Element), the Academy didn’t take notice. I suspect the same will occur with this film even though it has some eye-popping effects on display in the trailer.