Luc Besson has always been spectacularly uneven, but I watch most of his movies because of "La Femme Nikita" and "The Fifth Element." But this was much as reported by critics: spectacularly pretty and remarkably bad. Dane DeHaan plays sleazebag government agent Valerian, who travels the stars while making passes at his co-worker who keeps saying "no." This is meant to come off as interstellar James Bond, but DeHaan and the script combine to make it much creepier. It's based on a graphic novel series called "Valerian and Laureline," but Laureline (Cara Delevingne) has been demoted. Delevigne is a supermodel who gets her roles based on her looks - it certainly isn't her acting skill. If they'd put a better actress in the role I'd have felt worse about the demotion.

The movie is somewhat reminiscent of the joyful lunacy of "The Fifth Element." "Valerian" has lunacy, but it's not joyful. And that's a critical lack, particularly with no appealing characters in sight. Visually stunning and stupid.