Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets is about two space-time special operatives who patrol a megalopolis beyond our world. It is the most expensive independent film ever made and was conceived based on the french graphic novel by world-renowned French mega producer Luc Besson.

Don’t get hyped, don’t get hyped…

Besson, who owns his own French based distribution company is responsible for writing and producing such action classics such as the one that re-launched Liam Neeson’s career as a twilight action star with a simple phone call: Taken. He had already made a star out of Jason Statham a few years earlier with The Transporter series. Although his wildest moments are his own turns behind the camera as a director such as in The Professional where Gary Oldman, underscoring the chaos about to come utters the line “Bring Me Everyone!” with legendary insanity.

Indeed his stylistic flair and enthusiasm is at its most idiosyncratic when he is behind the camera both in writing and direction. This allows for such ballsy decision making such as having the good guy and the bad guy never meet in the classic summer film The Fifth Element. Reading that film’s Rotten Tomatoes consensus: “Visually inventive and gleefully over the top, Luc Besson’s The Fifth Element is a fantastic piece of pop sci-fi that never takes itself too seriously” you’ll get exactly the sense of what Besson is going for again as his previous film apart from the comic book on which it was based, serves as the main inspiration. Only this time the filmmaker is returning to his genre with greater power, money and a greater skillset.

The director’s most recent hit, his last film Lucy starring Scarlett Johansson was what many people would call weird, but its kinetic energy and its commitment to exponential lunacy set it apart from other sleeper hits, showing a mainstream audience this decade the director’s idiosyncratic nature and additionally encouraging as few films these days want you to just have: just a fun time at the movies! As its trailers hint at Valerian delivers more from what audiences want and might be missing in Hollywood films these days a singular narrative vision. As the RT review consensus states: “Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets uses sheer kinetic energy and visual thrills to overcome narrative obstacles and offer a viewing experience whose surreal pleasures often outweigh its flaws.”

… Don’t get hyped!, Do Get Hyped!

See you there!

The Contest: Canadian distributor eOne films has graciously provided us with 10 double passes (Admit Two) to see the film. Visit the FilmGamer Facebook Page and give it a like or follow me on Twitter and tweet the hashtag #ValerianFilmGamer with a reason why you would like to see the film to earn passes for Wednesday July 19th @7:30 p.m. at the Scotiabank Theatre. The passes are exchanged for tickets at the Box-Office and are available only on a first come first served basis so be sure to arrive early!