The X-Files: I Want to Believe
Movie details
A stand-alone story in the tradition of some of the shows most acclaimed and beloved episodes. X-Files: I Want to Believe takes the complicated relationship between Fox Mulder and Dana Scully in unexpected directions. Mulder continues his unshakable quest for the truth, and Scully, the passionate, ferociously intelligent physician, remains inextricably tied to Mulder's pursuits.
Director Chris Carter
Stars David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson
Violence and themes
Our review
"The X-Files" left the small screen back in 2002, so reviving it for the big screen in 2008 begs the question: does anyone still care?
In the second feature-length X-Files movie (the first screened 10 years ago), an FBI agent goes missing and the psychic vision of a convicted paedophile priest (Billy Connolly) leads the FBI to a severed arm buried in the snow.
To make sense of what the priest sees they reach out to Fox Mulder (David Duchovny), who has become a recluse after falling out with the agency, and call back Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson), who is now a paediatric surgeon.
With a minimum of convincing, they are drawn back into the world of the supernatural, leading Scully to question her faith in the once holy man who has fallen from grace.
While hardcore fans will flock to see what has become of the characters over the past six years, there is little here for those who are only casually acquainted with the series.
The producers have crafted a story that doesn't assume much prior knowledge, but at the same time have managed to strip it of any suspense, scares or tension. Gone are the covert government agendas and shadowy figures and in their place are a convoluted plot and average acting.
Fans will remember that Mulder and Scully became romantically involved towards the end of the series' TV run. While they remain a couple, there is no chemistry between them, and they oddly still refer to each other by surname only.
The extended title of the film is something of a self-fulfilling prophecy - you will want to believe that this movie could have been something great, but unfortunately it falls flat on too many fronts, leaving you feeling like you have watched one of the lesser TV episodes.
5/10
Ben Shute
In compiling yourTime content, HWW relies upon information supplied by a number of sources. yourTime content is supplied on the basis that while HWW believes that all the information in it will be correct at time of publishing, it does not warrant its accuracy or completeness.
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I absolutely adore THe X-Files series.
But I left the cinema this afternoon, feeling robbed of the excitement that had filled me for the passed couple of months. I will not discredit that this movie is good, but the ending really killed me. Why? WHY?!
I give them credit for not changing the character's personalities despite the 10 years since the last release, but I was shocked that Mulder had given up on his sister within the first half hour- when that was the entire reason he wanted to believe in the first place.
I remain true to The X-Files as it is stil a fantastic concept, and Fox Mulder and Dana Scully will remain in the hearts of true fans forever.