DVD : The X Files: I Want To Believe (2 disc Special Edition including Bonus Digital Copy) [2008]

Rating: - Should be Filed away.
I was always ambivalent about the new X-Files movie. Being a child of the 80/90s and a proper X-files fan, I figured it was always going to be difficult to bring back the paranormal, the tensions and the conspiracies that abounded in all the 9 series.

Yes, I agree that this stand-alone movie harks back to the early series, where Mulder and Scully were kept busy by relatively banal mysteries, before the paranormal aspect kicked off. However, this doesn't really gel - the crime may be strictly season 1, but the relationship between the two is season 9!

In short, nothing really works, and the X-Files, cult classic as it was, should really have stayed in the archives, rather than being brought back to some kind of life with such a poor showing as this. Mulder's search for his sister was getting tiresome even towards the end of the series, and to have it regurgitated in some way here, was a pretty desparate move to regain some credibility. The search for the sister isn't relevant - in fact, it's not even an X-Files matter - Mulder is asked by by the FBI to help them look for a missing agent, although quite how his insight is relevant is difficult to see. Scully kind of gets roped into this as well, while balancing a relatively normal life as a doctor for a Catholic charity. Throw a psychic (or is he?) paedophile priest (Billy Connolly) into the mix as well, and you end up with a mish mash of issues (predominantly Faith vs Science), none of which are particularly inspiring or interesting.

Basically, it's a serial killer-type plot that bears no relevance to Mulder and Scully's skills or background. They shouldn't even be there, and if the actors and caharcter's names were changed, you wouldn't even realise it was based on the X-Files.

I hate to say it, but it's poor in many ways. Even the most committed X-Filer would find it difficult to get some positives - do yourself a favour and watch the series from season 1 instead and remind yourself how good it was way back when!

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Rating: - Countdown
Since its release I have heard and read mixed reviews mostly bad, these of course are from fans pissed off at the end of season 9! "The Truth" wasnt a very good or satisfying end to the series, as a hardcore fan I can certainly say. I suppose what people expected was something pretty damn spectacular here with this movie. We should expect that its the X Files for Peets sake. But many of the really cool episodes were written by writers other than Chris Carter, in fact I think you will find if you revise all your Box sets that the episodes written By Carter are the most lame. Kim Manners is working on Supernatural, Spotnitz is mostly on bigger movies while the rest are all over the board from CSI, Bones, the short lived 4400 right up to the new series of Fringe. I wasnt expecting anything fantastic story wise but what was promised "a stand alone movie" fan though I am of the conspiracy it was all explained to MY satisfaction in Season Six's "One Son" & "Two Fathers" right up to Season 7's episode (forgot the name) where we discover Samantha Mulder is dead and has been for some time. This is X Files! even some of the stand alone episodes were a bit weak and give the guys there due it has been a while since they wrote anything new for these great characters. The experience was fun, the movie was average and alas there were no revelations...nothing the fans didnt already know. Seeing the characters I love on the screen again was something pretty awesome, I am so glad that they are back for the ages. Chris Carter will eventually make the 2012 movie, this should be the ultimate X File movie, the date of the final alien invasion. Where Mulders greatest mistake throughout the nine years and the years of silence after where he could have gone public and prepared the world for this...even if many wont believe at least he would have some more troops. Believe!

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Rating: - Science Vs Faith
Six years since the exploits of Mulder and Scully came to an end after nine seasons. The second movie propels x-files into darker territory leaving alien conspiracy's on the back burner for a standalone adventure.

We catch up with Mulder and Scully now living together in a secluded house as Mulder browses newspaper articles looking for unexplained phenomenon and Scully has become a doctor at a catholic run hospital caring for a terminally ill boy when she is approached by the FBI, looking for Mulder to consult on a case, a female FBI agent has disappeared and a convicted paedophile priest father Joe claims to be having visions leading the FBI closer to their missing agent, Mulder reluctantly joins the search which leads to a grisly conclusion.

The X-files: I want to believe has received rather mixed reviews as a fan of the show I found it rather enjoyable but this doesn't seem to be the case with everyone. The x-files isn't a big flashy summer blockbuster its a grim mystery thriller. It goes back to its routes when the darker episodes lay rather than the more comedic centred episodes some of the later seasons took

It takes a very different tone from the first film, in an attempt to market it to a wider audience but it remains a largely fans only affair retaining classic X files flavour, on the whole the movie is about faith as both lead characters have their beliefs tested in search for the truth and it comes across the screen in a compelling form.

Duchovony and Anderson slip back into their roles with ease, the relationship between them starting as complete but as the movie progresses it threatens to tear itself apart as the pairs beliefs clash.
The chemistry between the two stars is still ever present as they play off each other well be it their romantic relationship or their conflicting theories. Their relationship is a key part of the movie which x files fans will get more out of than casual viewers, when together they remind us what made the pair so watch able all those years ago.

Billy Connelly gives a good performance as the priest,he portrays a man who is loathsome of himself praying to god for forgiveness while also blaming the almighty for his despicable urges convinced his visions are sent by god to help absolve him of his sins, a complex character handled well by Connelly

Xzibit and Amanda Peet join the cast as FBI agents leading the the manhunt these characters only are there to advance the plot and they are developed little. For example agent Drummy (Xzibit) dislikes Mulder and his beliefs but its never explained why. The two characters are very constricted always remaining as background players.

The only other familiar face to reappear is Walter Skinner towards the end of the movie while only present for a few scenes its great to see him back again helping Scully tracking an AWOL Mulder, it livens up the pace as the movie reaches its climax.

While a stand-alone movie there's still titbits for the fans to pick up on references to William, the poster in Mulder's room,call backs to the series various villains such as 'pusher', generally little bits but is pleasing for fans but will most likely be lost on others.

On the whole the x files: IWTB is a satisfying addition to the franchise the pace can occasionally lag (Scully's terminal patient sub plot) its light on action and can feel a bit underwhelming in a summer of blockbusters but the magic's still there between the stars the story is a spine tingling absorbing mystery and its great to see the pair back in action. It's enough to Believe again- 7/10

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Rating: - "That's not my life any more Mulder."
Well, it's been many years since The X-Files graced either the small or big screen and finally the second movie, `I Want To Believe' reaches us. But the real question is, was it worth the wait? As a fan of the show since it started in the nineties I have to admit that the answer is, unfortunately, a `No'.
The story is a straightforward standalone adventure set a while after the end of the series. An FBI agent is kidnapped and an excommunicated priest, played by Billy Connelly - the Big Yin himself - claims to be receiving psychic visions of her. He says that she is being held and tortured and a young FBI Agent brings Scully, who brings in Mulder, to assist on the case.
Scully is now working as a medical doctor in a Catholic hospital for children with serious and terminal conditions. Mulder has become something of a recluse and lives out in the wilderness, wanting nothing more to do with the Bureau.
As the story unfolds we get several plot lines about kidnapping, cover-ups, pedophiles, black market organ trading and unusual surgical procedures. There is a token appearance by Mitch Pileggi as Walter Skinner, presumably because of his demands on working in Stargate Atlantis but that's about it. No Doggett, no Reyes, no other connections to the show.
The story itself is rather long and overly drawn out and mirrors episodes like 'Beyond The Sea' and 'All Souls' but something is obviously missing. This film would have made an average episode of the series but in a movie run time it just drags and it takes an interminable amount of time for anything to happen.
The chemistry between Duchovny and Anderson also seems to have disappeared and there is none of the old Mulder / Scully interplay that we all used to know and love. Their scenes together are quite perfunctory and there's just no sparkle there anymore.
In the end, Chris Carter just waited too long to do this movie. A better approach would've been to use Doggett and Reyes, set if after season nine and do a standalone story in the style of the earlier seasons with a monster, creature, ancient myth angle to make it more accessible to the movie going audience.
Really, this is just a movie for the hard-core fans only but even the most loyal X-Phile will find this adventure hard going.

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Rating: - A must buy!
Forget any bad reviews!

This film did exactly as it should have done with allowing us to see the lifes and relationship of TVs best SC-FI couple 6 years down the road from after the series ended.

Mulder and Scully are back! The story of the film some say wasn't the type of things you would see in the series. Well think again because certain episodes did deal with psychics and neutral paranormal acts such as the episode 'hell money'.

This is a brilliant film which really should satisfy any X-Files fan as well as people who want to see more then a little gore and violence. The film also makes full sense without having to see the whole series!

5/5!!!