It is a classic “the hunters become the protectors” arc, but Besson uses it to critique militarism and colonialism. The villains aren't aliens; they are human generals covering up a massacre.
Before Star Wars , before Dune , there was Valérian and Laureline . Created by Pierre Christin and Jean-Claude Mézières in 1967, the comic series ran for over four decades, influencing virtually every sci-fi creator who came after it. George Lucas has openly cited Mézières’s designs—specifically the bustling city-planets and worn-down spaceports—as direct inspirations for the Star Wars universe. Valerian And The City Of A Thousand Planets - E...
The film’s tone was also a major issue. Besson tried to blend the bright, colorful weirdness of his European sensibilities with the epic, serious stakes of a space opera. The result was often jarring. The sexual politics felt dated and uncomfortable, and the script‘s attempts at witty banter fell flat. It was a film caught between being a campy throwback and a modern blockbuster, failing to satisfy fans of either approach. It is a classic “the hunters become the