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

The FBI is searching for one of its agents, who is missing. The agents in charge are helped by a defrocked priest who appears to have extra-sensory powers. Fox Mulder and Dana Scully have left the FBI, but are brought into the case because of their experience in dealing with paranormal issues. Prior to this, Scully was working as an M.D., Mulder had been hiding from the FBI. Mulder is reluctant to get involved, but is persuaded by Scully. Once Mulder picks up the scent of the case, he becomes totally committed to solving it. As the investigation progresses, it becomes evident that the crimes concern more than the kidnapping of the FBI agent -- there's a sinister criminal enterprise involved. The bond between Scully and Mulder helps them to overcome the perils they face. There's a final treat for X-Files fans, after the end credits.

While anticipation is a natural thing when a movie released over the summer, when the long-gestating and well-guarded sequel to the "X-Files" is nearing release, fans are sent into a frenzy and the main feeling felt all around is: it's about time. So of course interest and the want to find out what the movie was actually about goes into overdrive and leaks and fake spoilers were thrown around all over the internet so when you walked into that theater, you had no clue what you're in for. And what did they get? A small scale character-driven story focusing more on development, creepiness and intrigue. So on one hand, the bigger moments from the first film, "Fight the Future" has been taken down, the film came out around the time of the "Dark Knight" juggernaut came out and it was a story that didn't center on the alien conspiracy mythos so how's it in the end? Pretty good, I'd say.

An FBI agent is abducted and Agents Whitney and Drummy are getting nowhere even with a possible psychic named Father Joe. Racing against time and no leads to speak of, they enlist the help of former FBI Agent Fox Mulder who's gone into seclusion thanks to not only his work on the X-Files but the government sees him as dangerous and too knowledgable whereas everybody else thinks he's just nuts. Brought on as well is Agent Scully, now a medical doctor at a Catholic hospital. One's reluctant to return to their agent ways while the other just wants to find...something to believe in. But solving the case while dealing with their own issues and their beliefs is tested when Father Joe is revealed to be a convicted pedophile and former religious man yet seems to be the best help on the case.

Over the course of the 9 seasons The X-Files were in production on, episodes were usually divided into 2 camps: the mythology episodes which dealt with Cigarette Smoking Man, Samantha Mulder and the truth that the agents are trying to uncover. The other half were the so-called "stand alones" which were comedy episodes like "Humbug", creature of the week-types like "Squeeze" to more character-driven episodes such as "One Breath". The second film is more along these lines as there's no aliens or conspiracies and the tone is a lot less grander than the first film and there's a feeling that this is what made the film a slight disappointment. 6 years after the show ended and instead of a grand tour-de-force comeback, they change conventions and do something smaller and in a way I appreciate it though on the other hand, the main plot isn't really as integral or important as last time though the character journeys are so while the actual missing FBI agent story is kind of interesting, it's not really as satisfying.

However, returning to these characters after so long is very satisfying and seeing old habits that still don't die hard such as Mulder's seed eating or his strange desire to litter his ceiling with pencils is a nice see. But seeing the old faces, even old names be mentioned and neat cameos (look closely at the woman Mulder passes by in the FBI...looks similar to the photo on his door, no?) It's also a lot more smarter than most summer blockbusters and the issue of faith and science and believing in things such as giving a young child a terminal illness while a former pedophilic priest helping solve a case is dealt with certainly a lot more depth. It's kind of a movie built for the smaller screen that was released on the bigger screen so kind of a strange situation.

That said there are some things the film could've done better. While acting wise, Duchovny and Anderson still carry the chemistry and attitudes their characters have (especially Anderson who's being way too underutilized in movies lately), Xzibit is kind of one-note and Amanda Peet's character, while apparently meant to be a possible love triangle subplot or least more than just another agent that gets called in, doesn't have much development on her side either. Oh and Skinner is basically a cameo but then again so were the Lone Gunmen last time so there needed to be one other I guess.

While one can very much blame the release of the film and the massive success of Batman as well as Indiana Jones 4, Hulk and Iron Man for the relative disappointment the film did in theaters, the film does succeed if one doesn't think this is to be the explosive follow-up 6 years in the making and while it does have issues, I still was entertained by it. Here's hoping we have a third...and a fairer release date.

THIS is the best they could some up with?? This wouldn't even make a good TV episode. The date for the alien invasion was set, so Mulder is just sitting around clipping coupons? The opening victim is an FBI agent; she wasn't carrying a gun? That was the best she could defend herself? The victims have a rare blood type but two both swim in public pool in the middle of nowhere WITH the kidnapper/murder? The guard dog has two heads and gets to run around outside?? And nobody will notice that?? The bad-guys plow has a hydraulic leak at just the right moment. Killer runs Mulder off the road but doesn't check to see if he is dead? Why bother with Skinner at all?? What did this take, all of 30 minutes to write? Disappointing and sad, very sad. I am on my third time through the TV series but I know I'll never waste 2 hours on this movie again.

first let me say I am a complete X-Files fan, dating all the way back to 1993 when the show first aired. The series itself was/is one of the best produced shows in the history of television.

maybe my hopes for this film were just too high- six years after the series ended, I was expecting a little more fireworks (i.e., supernatural elements similar to the first film).

it seemed as though Mulder and Scully didn't have enough action scenes or sequences in this film- I think it would have played better as a t.v. movie, rather than a big screen movie. Too much dialogue between them. The plotting was a little slow and spread-out to keep my interest. The climax ending just didn't work for me, it felt "forced".

That being said, Chris Carter, David Duchovny, & Gillian Anderson are very talented people, and I think they will go on and have great movies in front of them for the future.

So I love X Files right? I saw the movie same as any die hard fan. I have to admit, I was a bit disappointed. I think maybe I had too high expectations, Chris Carter is only human right?

However, upon second viewing, I loved it and wouldn't have changed anything. It has horror and action, and of course MULDER and SCULLY. They are just as miserable and totally in love with each other as ever.

IF: You are deciding between just the regular dvd and the 3 disc special edition, then I would offer this advice: Die hard fans or newbies you want all the Scully/Mulder you can it get, it should be a no brainer. This version comes with the director's cut, which offers a bit more insight into Scully's head. PLUS the digital copy is great. The extras are pretty good and that scene with the Jeffersons on tv has no other meaning, Carter just liked them.

IF: You are just looking for a thriller, this one is pretty gruesome.

IF: You want to see another X Files movie, say, especially one the premieres on December 22, 2012, I'd JUST BUY SOMETHING!