One of the winter movie season’s biggest question marks is, undoubtedly, Luc Besson’s Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets. The trailers look amazing, teasing a return to Fifth Element form for the director. But did he succeed?
Dane DeHaan and Cara Delevingne star in Luc Besson’s Valerian. Image: STX
Valerian won’t be in theatres until August, but it has already started screening for critics. Full reviews won’t be out for a few weeks but here are a ton of reactions, all of which are at least partially positive.
I had such a great time at #Valerian. For realsies, it’s a fresh and fun space fantasy adventure. I really hope audiences embrace it!
— Clarke Wolfe (@clarkewolfe) June 29, 2017
With all my heart & soul I loved @lucbesson‘s Valerian. Inventive sci-fi. Epic action. Insane visual effects. See it on biggest screen asap. pic.twitter.com/a5wbVMm2Z2
— Steven Weintraub (@colliderfrosty) June 29, 2017
I just saw #Valerian. It is one of the most spectacularly gorgeous movies I have ever seen. Cara Delevingne steals the whole film.
— William Bibbiani (@WilliamBibbiani) June 29, 2017
#Valerian: Inventive world-building and some awesomely unique set pieces. Runs out of steam eventually, but overall a fun, worthwhile romp.
— Angie J. Han (@ajhan) June 29, 2017
Dug opening sequence of #Valerian, has amazing 3D look. Flavor of FIFTH ELEMENT but not the same payoff. Luc Besson fans are gonna luv it.
— Jason Guerrasio (@JasonGuerrasio) June 29, 2017
mixed on Valerian, BUT: this movie is god damn SPECTACULAR to look at. if you’re going to fork out extra $ for 3D, do it for this.
— e. oliver whitney (@CinemaBite) June 29, 2017
#Valerian is the batsh*t kinda sci-fi, stuffed w/ wildly colorful & inventive sequences. Story is OK but some of the action blew my mind ? pic.twitter.com/WMSz1dZcoA
— ErikDavis (@ErikDavis) June 29, 2017
Despite its problems, #Valerian needs to be experienced in 3D on the biggest screen possible. I want to experience more of this world.
— Peter Sciretta (@slashfilm) June 29, 2017
oh I saw VALERIAN!! it’s one of my favorite movies of the year
— David Sims (@davidlsims) June 29, 2017
#Valerian embargo is up. I really liked it. A fun, visually stunning sci-fi adventure. We need more space operas that are this colorful.
— michelle buchman (@michelledeidre) June 29, 2017
Now that the embargo is lifted I am free to say that VALERIAN surpassed all expectations. The best blockbuster of the summer.
— Patrik Sandberg (@PatrikSandberg) June 29, 2017
Valerian is as gorgeous & epic a sci-fi adventure as you are expecting. However, the story & characters often get overshadowed by the world.
— Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier) June 29, 2017
Everyone seems to agree the movie is gorgeous to look at, but some seem mixed on the character and story elements. It sounds like a movie you’re going to have to see for yourself, if you are interested.
Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets opens August 10.