Here's the thing: I'm a fanboy (true), but I'm not always a 'traditionalist' as fanboys go.
For example, I know that there's a huge following of writer/director Luc Besson's work ... but color me unimpressed. In fact, outside of his exceptional The Professional (1994 and most definitely not Science Fiction) I really haven't been all that enamored with his storytelling abilities. I thought The Fifth Element (1997) was the kind of flick conceived by a high schooler ... so imagine by surprise (not) when Besson himself admitted he wrote the screenplay when he was in high school. Granted, some of his screenplays have been entertaining (both the film franchises for Taken and The Transporters remain his creations), but the characters have no real depth and the worlds created certainly have significant limitations.
Still, fandom erupted in cheers when Besson announced that he'd be bringing Valerian And The City Of A Thousand Worlds to the silver screen, and good for them: we can all appreciate another adaptation of a sterling property, right?
Well, not long after the announcement, I ordered myself a copy of the graphic novel via Amazon. I took the time and the interest, and I read the piece. While I found it good (it definitely had a great classic Flash Gordon feel to it at times), I wasn't all that jazzed. It seemed kinda/sorta juvenile -- flashy ideas but not a lot of substance -- and I questioned how so much of it could, would, and should be brought to the multiplexes.
In any event, the trailer is here today, and I'm posting it below. Like so much of what accounts for big screen SciFi these days, it looks like yet another video game fueled frenzy. I'll hold out hope that it isn't all pop and sizzle, and feel free to sound off if you're inclined.
As always, thanks for reading ... and live long and prosper!
For example, I know that there's a huge following of writer/director Luc Besson's work ... but color me unimpressed. In fact, outside of his exceptional The Professional (1994 and most definitely not Science Fiction) I really haven't been all that enamored with his storytelling abilities. I thought The Fifth Element (1997) was the kind of flick conceived by a high schooler ... so imagine by surprise (not) when Besson himself admitted he wrote the screenplay when he was in high school. Granted, some of his screenplays have been entertaining (both the film franchises for Taken and The Transporters remain his creations), but the characters have no real depth and the worlds created certainly have significant limitations.
Still, fandom erupted in cheers when Besson announced that he'd be bringing Valerian And The City Of A Thousand Worlds to the silver screen, and good for them: we can all appreciate another adaptation of a sterling property, right?
Well, not long after the announcement, I ordered myself a copy of the graphic novel via Amazon. I took the time and the interest, and I read the piece. While I found it good (it definitely had a great classic Flash Gordon feel to it at times), I wasn't all that jazzed. It seemed kinda/sorta juvenile -- flashy ideas but not a lot of substance -- and I questioned how so much of it could, would, and should be brought to the multiplexes.
In any event, the trailer is here today, and I'm posting it below. Like so much of what accounts for big screen SciFi these days, it looks like yet another video game fueled frenzy. I'll hold out hope that it isn't all pop and sizzle, and feel free to sound off if you're inclined.
As always, thanks for reading ... and live long and prosper!
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