The X-Files: I Want to Believe (Single-Disc Edition)

My wife and I watched the original TV series of X-Files and loved the show. This movie brought back the good memories and more. We were on the edge of our seats as the suspense never stopped. Definitely Oscar material.

I waited until now to view the film and I am glad I did. After all the negative press my expectations were low.

The film is a stand alone and is not going to be liked by fans of the TV series looking for a continuation of the story, that is missing, which was fine by me.

Mulder has aged whereas I found Scully to be more attractive then during the TV series. The old chemistry still works.

If you are ok with this film being a long version of a stand alone episode go for it. If you are looking for "answers" from where the TV series ended you may be disappointed.

Its OK, but mostly just a good double episode of the TV show, and not so much a stand alone movie. Being an Xfiles movie, suspension of disbelief is an automatic - you don't go into an X-files movie as a skeptic by now, and if you do, what the hell are you watching it for? But the subject matter here doesn't seem big screen worthy, at least not in modern times, as it isn't very original either.

The storyline probably could have been played out as a non-Xfiles movie, but as far as the characters go, the writers assume familiarity, so a first timer will be confused as hell. I sorta skipped out on the last couple of seasons of the X-files, so some aspects of the Scully/Mulder relationship caught me by surprise. Some of the periferral characters weren't very well fleshed out and this wasn't the usual conspiracy feast that the first X-files movie and series was, which is a shame, because there is also a lack of palpable paranoia/fear that made the series so gripping. They try to lure the viewer into thinking it was...

SPOILER ALERT!!!!!!!!!
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just a movie about black market human organ snatchers, but even the most casual X-filer knows better, expects a twist, and when its revealed that they're trying to do head transplants, or body transplants if you prefer, for some dude, and its never explained how or why or given a viable motive, I was left scratching 'my' head. The so-called scientist/surgeons speak only in Russian and seem to act like nothing's out of the ordinary, as if they're surprised to find anyone objecting to the Frankensteinish proceedings. I was less than impressed with the twist - very banal and too straight forward to me. Again, the lack of conspiracy and paranoia of the original show makes this plot rather ordinary. The psychic character in this episode seem misused and underdeveloped, as his relationship to the perps is hinted at, but never really connected. They try to flesh this character out, but they fail to make him very compelling (and isn't using an Irish actor to portray an excommunicated/psychic catholic priest a tad cliche?). And of course, seasoned FBI agent Fox Mulder still acts infuriatingly stupid as he bumbles his way into trouble, needing rescuing - I hate such plot devices. There was a few moments of good drama and tension here and there, but for the most part, the main story ends anti-climactically. There was a secondary theme concerning faith that was touched upon, but only superficially explored. At least twice Scully expresses being remiss for having to peer into 'the darkness' again, and says she's tired of it. Mulder seems tired of it too, as does David Duchovny, the guy playing Mulder. Same with Gillian Anderson (Scully). Maybe they should be left alone in the future, as this case didn't really seem to warrant their presence, and their characters come acrossed as, well...tired. What woulda been more compelling would be to delve more into how the X-files have effected these characters. Duchovny looks appropriately disenfranchised with the FBI's refusal to acknowledge his work, and Gillian's Scully is downright haunted by her experiences. They both go into this episode dragging their feet. They show passion for each other, but not for what they're doing. This is where the franchise needs to explore further, and not try for the cheap creepfest. But really, this franchise should stick with TV.

I'd say that this movie might be a treat for fans of the old series, but hardly sequel inducing. When this show was in its original run, it was the creepiest, most intelligent show on TV...in its day. But for ardent fans of the show, its too predictable and uninspired in its attempts to be unpredictable...fans are too used to expecting some big, clever surprise, and you can only be so clever for so long. Its a show/movie that's seen its time come and go. I wanted to believe, but ultimately couldn't. I'm with Scully...time to put this thing to bed.

I was a fan of the X-Files television series and enjoyed those "in-between" episodes that didn't have anything to with alien abduction or any of the series' typical subject matter. This movie feels like one of those "in-between" episodes. It primarily has to do with various characters each with their own crisis of faith.

The primary problems with the film are 1) that we don't get to see the big-budget alien abduction/government conspiracy movie that most of us were hoping for, and 2) one of the primary actors can barely act, can barely read his lines - I believe he is, in real life, a rapper who goes by the name of Xzibit. After he delivers a line, I know you'll be thinking, "This guy must have a great agent to land a role in an X-Files movie."

This movie was for the fans, and the fans only. Kinda. Every X-files fan, like myself, would know that the x-files show was not only about extraterrestrials and the unexplained. It was also about killers and fugitives. This movie is not about aliens or monster, but does have to do aboout monsters in humanity. If you're looking for a thriller and old school x-files,watch, you'll enjoy! if you're new to the x-files franchise, watch some episodes from the old series (season 1 thru 6)after 7 it got weird. This is a grreat movie but it is more a X-files' extended episode.