The X-Files: I Want to Believe

Starring: David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Amanda Peet, Xzibit, Billy Connolly, Mitch Pileggi
Directed by: Chris Carter
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Adventure, Horror, Thriller, Mystery
2008

Times Seen:
Tim: 2

Summary: When an FBI Agent goes missing, two talented FBI Agents (Amanda Peet, Xzibit) reluctantly ask Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) and Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) to assist them. The only clue they have are the visions of a pedophile priest (Billy Connolly) who claims to have visions of the victim.

Review:
Tim: I am a huge fan of The X-Files. I was so excited for this movie to come out, a decade after the first film and six years after the series ended. This movie did not do well, with critics or moviegoers, but as for me- I greatly missed Mulder and Scully. I was so, so glad to see them on the big screen once again. That passion and love helped me to overlook some (but not all) of the film's flaws.

The biggest problem with the movie is that the story is a bit of a letdown. The first film was such a huge, epic story and this one is more like an extended episode. I don't think that every X-Files movie needs to be a huge sprawling epic- I actually enjoyed the much smaller feel of the movie. I think with the right story, these movies can continue to be compelling (I'm reaching here. The movie was a box office bomb, so who knows if there will be more movies). However, the story here was questionable. Yes, a smaller scale story could have worked, but this wasn't really it. I couldn't help but think- I waited 10 years from the last movie, 6 years from the end of the show... for this? I wish the story had been stronger.

I really, really liked seeing David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson reprise their roles as Mulder and Scully. These two are just terrific together, and I loved theri scenes. The movie furthered the relationship of these two characters, and this was quite entertaining. Duchovny and Anderson are both very good.

The supporting cast is decent. I am not sure I would have went with as recognizable actors as Amanda Peet and Xzibit. I don't think they added much to the film. I did enjoy the performance of Billy Connolly. This wasn't the easiest role to play, and he balanced it out very well. I really did enjoy him here.

The story, though weak, does have some great moments. My favorite line of the film is Scully's "I'm done chasing monsters in the dark." Wow, I love this line. The movie also sets up some the classic Mulder lines ("Maybe I'd stay out of bed with him") which really made me laugh. I also really liked Mulder's "Let's just say I want to believe" line. There were definitely some great moments.

The X-Files: I Want to Believe is a flawed movie. However, it reunites Mulder and Scully on the big screen after a lengthy absence, and for that reason, I loved much of it. I wish the story had been more compelling, but it is at least memorable. While flawed, there is enough goodwill left over from the first movie and the first five or six seasons to help me overlook some of the flaws. I really enjoyed this movie, although I will begrudgedly admit it is a step down in quality from the original.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 8



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: The X-Files movie, The X-Files television series, Playing God, Evolution