My X-Files I Want To Believe Review

Jam and I went to see the new X-Files film on Saturday. On our way to our local theatre, we heard fire engines. We wondered where they were headed but found out because as we turned into the theatre's parking lot, we saw multiple fire engines and 100+ people scattered throughout the parking lot. I pulled in and asked some people what was going on and they said someone pulled a fire alarm and everyone was outside while the fire department was checking things out. So we sat in our car in the lot for 20 minutes and then everyone was allowed in. A lot of people left. I hope they got free passes or something because on our way to our theatre, we noticed all of the movies were still playing.

Anyway, as most people know, especially if you have ever visited this blog, I have been eagerly awaiting this movie. I was a fan of the X-Files tv show from the very first episode. I am a self proclaimed X-phile and admit that my review must be slightly biased. I knew going in that this was more of a monster-of-the-week story than one more dependant on the X-Files mythology. This was done so as not to alienate (no pun intended) moviegoers who were not familiar with the show. I also checked into some reviews of the film so I had mixed expectations going in. I will try to be as spoiler free here as possible.

If you have seen any of the trailers for the film, you have seen the beginning of the movie. There is a woman in West Virginia who gets attacked and kidnapped. The FBI are in search of her with the help of a psychic. Since he is famous for his work with the paranormal, Mulder is wanted to help. However he has been in hiding for the past six years. Mulder was on trial for a murder at the end of the series and was on the run last we saw him. The FBI go to Scully, no longer with FBI but now a practicing doctor, to find him. They say that if he helps them, he is no longer in trouble with the law. He says he will help if Scully will come with him. There are a few fun moments within the first 30 minutes or so that will make X-philes grin and a slight fun poke at George W. Bush but then it is back to business.

Mulder and Scully work with the FBI and the psychic. Amanda Peet and Xzibit play FBI agents Whitney and Drummy and Billy Connolly is great playing psychic Father Joseph Crissman. The paranormal and scifi elements are played down more than you would expect from something X-Files but it works. There is also an element of Frankenstein in the film. Though this is a movie with Mulder and Scully, they are not running around with guns and flashing FBI badges. This adds a whole new dynamic to how they go about doing things. There is some talk of William (Scully and Mulder's son) and Skinner shows up but that's about all of the ties to their pasts showcased in this movie. The movie also deals a lot with hope, faith and belief.

Overall I felt this was a really good movie. Was it the best movie I have ever seen? No. Was it good? Yes. If you are a fan of this X-Files or of phychological thrillers, you will enjoy this. If you want an X-Files movie full of aliens and FBI conspiracies, you will have to wait for the next film or go watch some reruns. If you want to watch a good dramatic thriller, which makes you think, laugh, and jump once or twice, check this out. X-philes should see this to at least see what Mulder and Scully have been up to. Stay through to midway through the credits to see the real ending. Or beginning, hopefully, depending on how you look at it. I give the movie a B.

-Special C