Film commentary & review

REVIEW – The X-Files: I Want To Believe

The X-Files: I Want To Believe is the newest installment of the highly popular franchise. Six years after the show ended, and eight years after the last film, Mulder and Scully return to the big screen.

The film takes place six years after the series ended. Mulder is still in hiding from the FBI. Scully is now a doctor at a Catholic Hospital. When an FBI Agent disappears, a former priest Father Joe (played by the always great Billy Connolly) leads the agents on the case, Dakota Whitney, and Mosley Drummy (Amanda Peet, and the horribly miscast Xzibit, respectively) to a torn limb. Whitney, desperate to find the agent calls in Mulder and Scully due to the strange circumstances surrounding Father Joe’s claims.

The film was a “B” episode of the series at best. I’m a huge X-Files fan. Recently, Wal-Mart has been having a sale on the DVD’s. $20 a piece! I’ve been scooping them up when I have the scratch to do so. I grew up on the series. It helped influence me as a storyteller. The storylines of the show (the first five or so seasons) were great. From the government conspiracies, to Deep Throat, and the search for extraterrestrial life. Being such a big fan, I was even more disappointed with the film.

***SLIGHT SPOILER***

When Mulder and Scully first enter the FBI headquarters, the camera shows a picture of our current Commander in Chief, and the X-Files theme immediately kicks in. What the hell? Seriously? Come on Chris Carter, was that really necessary? Fine, you don’t agree with the man, but save the bull for someplace else.




***END SLIGHT SPOILER***

Outside the storyline, the film was really well put together technically. Great cinematography. The lighting was great, and helped keep the mood of the film throughout. The audio was a bit off at times. The levels were off in a few scenes, but not enough to where you couldn’t make out what was being said. You just had to listen more intently.

Overall, in my opinion, if you’re a fan of the show, I suggest checking it out, just because it’s The X-Files.

Rating:

© 2008 Cineobscure.