Christopher Nolan may well be at the top of the list of the best directors working to never have been nominated for an Academy Award.

That could change with his latest film, “Dunkirk,” a sweeping World War II epic that is 2017’s first true Oscar contender.

“Dunkirk” tells the story of the evacuation of Allied soldiers from the beaches and harbor of Dunkirk, France, during the Battle of France in 1940. The troops from Belgium, the British Empire, Canada and France, were boxed in and surrounded by the German army.

Nolan tells the story with three intersecting stories – a trio of soldiers (including Harry Styles and Fionn Whitehead) who are trying to find a way off the beach and out of the battle, a fighter pilot (Tom Hardy) trying to protect the seas as troops begin their escape, and a civilian (Mark Rylance) who decides to brave the waters in a small boat with his teenage sons to try and help with the rescue effort.

The stories intersect with Nolan’s narrative not constricted by a linear timeline. At first, the structure may be a bit jarring, but the deeper the film gets into the action, the easier it is to follow and the more intense the film becomes.

There is very little dialogue, but it doesn’t mean the ensemble (which also includes Kenneth Branagh and Cillian Murphy) doesn’t do outstanding work. Rylance probably gets the most dialogue of anyone, but Hardy and Branagh also get moments to shine.

This is a film that is about people, but it is also about the experience of the war – and Nolan effectively captures that experience. With a minimal but very memorable score from Hans Zimmer pulsating throughout, Nolan has crafted a film that captures the brutality of battle and the fears of these people who were fighting for their survival – as well as their respective countries.

The result is a film that is not only one of Nolan’s best, it is the best of 2017 to date.

Also in theaters

A film opening this week that won’t be mistaken for an Oscar contender is “Valerian and the City of 1,000 Planets” (C-). Writer/director Luc Besson’s adaptation of a graphic novel is a visual feast but a narrative disaster.

Hindered by some poor casting choices and an overstuffed plot, it could have easily been called “Valerian and the City of 1,000 Subplots.”

Set in the future where humans and aliens have started to co-exist through this galaxy and beyond, Dane DeHaan plays the title character Valerian – a special operative assigned to protect the universe.

Valerian and his partner Laureline (Cara Delevingne) embark on a mission to Alpha, an ever-expanding metropolis known as the city of 1,000 planets, where species from all over the universe have converged over centuries to share knowledge, intelligence and cultures with one another. The peaceful existence is threatened by a dark force, forcing Valerian and Laureline to identify who is behind the threat before it wipes out Alpha – and perhaps the universe.

Besson is a really good filmmaker, but this movie is a gigantic mess. Fans of his previous film “The Fifth Element” might be expecting a similar science fiction excursion, but we are a long way from that mid-1990s cult classic.

There is so much going on here, including a subplot involving Ethan Hawke and Rihanna that could have been cut and not disturbed the narrative, that it feels like Besson didn’t know when to stop – resulting in an extremely bloated 137 minute running time (or 31 minutes longer than “Dunkirk”).

That running time is made even more unbearable by the film’s biggest flaw – DeHaan and Delevingne. The pair seem to be way too young for the characters they are playing (I was stunned to learn DeHaan is actually 31 years old).

It might be a little easier to overlook if there was any sort of chemistry, but there isn’t. Their playful banter just falls flat on the screen with the one-liners so groan worthy it reminded me of the epic failure from the early 1990s “Hudson Hawk.”

DeHaan fares a little better than Delevingne, but that really isn’t saying much.

The biggest surprise of all may be that I still sort of want to defend “Valerian,” because it looks so good. I feel like there might be a good movie in there somewhere. Unfortunately, it is buried in a huge pile of junk.

“Valerian and the City of 1,000 Planets” is rated PG-13 for sci-fi violence and action, suggestive material and brief language and is now playing at the Regal Bowling Green Stadium 12, Regal Greenwood Mall Stadium 10 and Highland Cinemas in Glasgow.

Starring: Fion Whitehead, Mark Rylance

Directed by: Christopher Nolan

Rating: PG-13 for intense war experience and some language

Playing at: Regal Bowling Green Stadium 12, Highland Cinemas (Glasgow)

Grade: A