X-Files: I Want to Believe C+
Like Hancock, X-Files: I Want to Believe was overlooked and butchered by the critics so I wasn’t really expecting a whole lot. Having said that, Chris Carter did a decent enough job with this movie. I guess it’s been so long since the X-Files has been on our screens that it was nice to see Mulder and Scully again. It was almost like finding an old, comfy pair of shoes again. Sure, the soles are worn out, but they still fit so comfortably.
In this new movie, we see Mulder and Scully as they were left at the end of the series. Mulder is in hiding, after being wanted by the FBI, and Scully is no longer with the Bureau. I’m gonna admit that I didn’t see that last episode of the X-Files, because, honestly, by that time, the series had worn out its welcome, so I can’t go into how well it picks up where it left off. But I can say that Mulder was very quick to decide to help the FBI after everything that had happened to him. And never mind that the FBI was very quick to drop all charges on Mulder to get his help, which seemed a little odd considering, well, they didn’t really need his help that badly.
The crux of the case was a missing FBI agent, likely dead, except that one priest and former child molester claims to have visions that she’s alive. A psychic helping the law enforcement; how is that so unusual that they need to bring Spooky Mulder in? Now creatures, aliens, ghosts… that would be worthy, but a person claiming to be a psychic? Not so much. Still, help them, he does, as does Scully, albeit reluctantly. In fact, you’ll find that there’s a whole lot less Mulder and Scully in this outing. Scully has her own problems, which becomes a large B storyline. It gives Gillian Anderson a chance to show off her acting chops, but as far as adding to the story? Not exactly. But that’s what happens when you pick up a story some 6 years later. There’s been a lot of talk about Chris Carter wanting to do another X-Files movie after this one. Poor ratings has probably scuttled that idea, but even without poor ratings, this feels more like a fond farewell to the series, not a resurgence. This is emphasized more so by the scene shown in the final credits with Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny waving from a boat. It’s sad really. I’d still take an average X-Files episode (and this really was average) over an episode of Fringe any day. But if you’re going to do a movie, you’ve got to give a good reason for the movie, and trying on that old pair shoes again, right before you throw ‘em away, just isn’t a good enough reason.
That said, both Duchovny and Anderson do brilliantly with what they have. As do the rest of the cast, particularly the always wonderful Billy Connelly. There’s a nice cameo from a certain other X-Files regular, though I do wish they would’ve used that character in a greater capacity. There’s also some nice in-jokes for fans, so keep your eyes peeled. And my personal favourite? The return to Canada for the shooting of this film.
DVD extras on the single disc edition include some fun outtakes, and of course, the obligatory deleted scenes. There’s also a decidedly un-X-Files music video but I’m sure it was part of Xzibit’s contract. The two disc edition has a feature length Making of and a digital copy of the movie.
Return from X-Files: I Want to Believe DVD Review to Film
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