The X-Files: I Want to Believe

I enjoyed the X-Files television series. Not fanatically, like some, but I did enjoy it - especially the relationship between Mulder (David Duchovny) and Scully (Gillian Anderson). Throw in a little paranormal phenomena, conspiracies, and aliens and what's not to like? The show ran from September 1993 to May 2002 with a full-featured film produced in 1998. That was a good film. Just saying.

The X-Files: I Want to Believe takes place six years after the season finale. Scully is working as a doctor in a Catholic hospital (subtle) and Mulder is a hermit, entertaining himself by throwing pencils into the ceiling. The FBI promises Scully they will stop searching for Mulder if he helps with this one final case. She draws him in and soon they are in their familiar roles: he the believer, she the skeptic. I could go on in more detail but it really isn't necessary.

The director, Chris Carter, has stated he wanted this film to be stand-alone. No previous knowledge of the characters or their relationship or the premise of the TV series would be necessary to enjoy the movie. That is just plain silly. Who is going to see this film unless they were already fans? And if they are already fans, they will be sorely disappointed. The chemistry is still there but that is the actors doing, not the scriptwriters. Their child, William, gets one post-coital reference - not enough for fans and completely confusing for those not familiar with the series. Where are the aliens? MIA. Things that go bump in the night? Nada. The connection between the pedophile priest and one of his victims could be labeled paranormal, I suppose, but I want more in an X-File movie. This was just a creepy slasher film.

I won't give it a zero because I do like the franchise and the characters and the actors who portray them. And maybe they will redeem themselves with a third movie, kind of like Ocean's Thirteen. I have that kind of faith. I'm sure, if I give the movie a zero, that won't happen. So Mr. Carter...I give you a 5/10 just so you will work harder next time. Don't let it go to your head.