Movie Review: 'X-Files: I Want to Believe' - Madame 'X' almost ...

attended the london premiere last night and dragged my anti-x-files mother with me. myself loving the film is a given, but my mum... she's already booked tickets to go again this weekend with her friends. she's never seen a film twice before!

Contrary to critics' reviews, I think the x-files is pleasing both fans and non-fans alike. I'm not one to jump on any bandwagon. There have been plenty of films that audiences were raving about and critics adored, where my opinion was, "eh...". Some reviewers are claiming that the movie is a 2.0 hour episode, whatever that means. Of course this movie is going to "feel" like the show because, well, it's a movie based on a show. Imagine that. If you haven't seen it and are just relying on critics and reviews for your decision. Don't. See it for yourself. It's a dark, thoughtful, and yes, somewhat romantic movie that works, and not just for x-files fans.

I think this is a tremendous film. To say that I love this movie because I'm a fan of the X-Files sounds logical, but doesn't get to the core of fandom. The movie embodies all of the things that made me take notice of the series in the first place, and brings them together maturely in a challenging way.

The writing, acting, filming, editing of scenes and segues between scenes, and score are so spare and economical, yet hold so much to viewers that want to pay attention to all the parallels among the characters and their stories and the extremely difficult personal, moral, and theological questions that are presented.

Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny have a rare gift for presenting popular characters that change over time (as they did in the series) yet struggle to remain true to their own natures. The plot that at first seems unfinished and secondary actually reveals things about all of the characters and their choices and hardships, and their willingness to take on difficult tasks.

There are no aliens in this one. You can get over that. I don't think Chris Carter intended the aliens on the show to have only a concrete meaning, anyway. Without going into a pseudo-academic rant about the alien among us or within us, how aliens can be metaphorical for God, the unknown, or parts of ourselves that we perceive as foreign ( a la Father Joe's perverse desires, the cancer victim's transplanted head, and the stem cell therapy that Scully uses for Christian in this movie, and Scully's implant in the series, I could go on and on....), I think enough is murky to leave a mystery, but revealed enough to give a few clues as to what's up and what it might mean for these characters and for us, the viewers, if we choose to look in the right places. I guess I did get into a rant---must be an alien abduction scenario.

PS---I thought the movie had funny character moments, too, though not the George Bush thing.

David & Gillian and the rest of the cast and crew were brilliant as always!! It's awesome seeing our favorite (ex) agents 6 years later. I hope they make a third!!!

The first time I saw this movie, I really liked it, as did my 14-year-old daughter. The second time, we loved it. In true X-Files fashion, Carter and Spotnitz were not afraid to take risks. They gave us a mix of mystery, gore, humanity, romance, and complex characters that challenged our belief systems. I don't think it is necessary for viewers to know anything about the television series to enjoy this movie. However, I am immensely grateful to Carter and Spotnitz for including so many of the details that fans recognize and cherish from the series. Like the writers said, they made this movie with the fans in mind. The last few seconds after the credits proved it.

I saw the movie, as I would have even with negative reviews, and began to wonder why I liked it so much when the reviewers seemed so negative. Am I nuts?(OK, don't answer that). I do like the main characters and heaven knows I wouldn't kick David Duchovny out of bed for eating crackers, but that's not it. Fox Mulder doesn't blindly look for the truth - he analyzes what truth is, and questions himself and his reaction to it. Dana Scully is constantly questioning her own morals and ethics, and finds spiritual truth. You don't have to be an X-Phile to understand this movie or to love it. You just need to know that you are going to question your own sense of truth right along with Mulder and Scully. Oh, and you should probably know that it's not a good idea to call him Fox.

I think some folks' expectations were too high and they're being overly critical of the film because of it. In a summer of major CGI-heavy films, this one stands out to me as an interesting, romantic, well-acted, low budget film. I enjoyed it.

I loved the film...much more than I expected to. It gave us STORY and character development, and the charactrs did not get lost beneath a high concept summer blockbuster-type plot.

My only regret...I didn't stay to the end of the credits so I don't know what happened. If anyone knows and wants to drop me an email I'd be very grateful. jonathan_maberry@yahoo.com

Jonathan Maberry
Multiple Bram Stoker Award winning author
Co-Creator/Consulting Producer ON THE SLAB (ABC Disney)
www.jonathanmaberry.com
www.myspace.com/jonathan_maberry

The more I think about this film (I've seen it twice) the more I come to love it. I can't wait to see it a third time, and glean even more from this multi-layered gem of a movie.

Jonathan Maberry wrote:

I loved the film...much more than I expected to. It gave us STORY and character development, and the charactrs did not get lost beneath a high concept summer blockbuster-type plot.
My only regret...I didn't stay to the end of the credits so I don't know what happened. If anyone knows and wants to drop me an email I'd be very grateful. jonathan_maberry@yahoo.com
Jonathan Maberry
Multiple Bram Stoker Award winning author
Co-Creator/Consulting Producer ON THE SLAB (ABC Disney)
www.jonathanmaberry.com
www.myspace.com/jonathan_maberry

I know I shouldnt admmit to this. But I saw it on youtube- from what I could tell during the ending credits it quickly showed Mulder and Scully rowing off together in a row boat. what I love about it even more is that mulder was rowing while scully was just sitting there in all her glory. tee!:-)

What a like about this movie is that you can tell that even after six years since the show ended mulder and scully still love each other as much as they ever have.( I know, sappy)

I hope they make a third movie!

First impression? WOW! LOVED it. Loved the creepy plot - classic XF. GA and DD superb performance, esp GA. Brought friend, first time seeing the XF ever, and she was well impressed. I'm not saying it was perfect - there were things I wished were done differently, but overall, I am WELL SATISFIED!
Bring on No.3 Chris!

This is a smart film. Don't go expecting special effects by the tons, explosions, CGI and whatnot because it has none. It's not what one would call a blockbuster summer movie. Instead it's a thinking film, it actually requires the viewers to put the pieces of the puzzle together.
The audience has to think and make up their own minds on what they see - whether they believe or are skeptical, about what's right or wrong and whether the main characters are flawed for believing what they believe in or if it's that very belief that pushes them forward, never giving up.
Give it a chance, you won't regret it.
And STAY THROUGH THE CREDITS - there's a SURPRISE at the end.

Did you guys see the coverage of the London premiere? Now if that doesn't tell you how excited people are for this film, nothing will!!

I was disappointed by the negative reviews, as most people didn't like it because according to them, it was like the show: aliens. Obviously, these people never watched the show. I LOVED the movie. I was one of the fans who got to see it early at the LA Premiere and even spoke with Chris Carter and Frank Spotnitz after the viewing. I LOVED the Mulder-Scully relationship, the inside jokes (pencils in the ceiling, stuff like that), and how no one spoiled the movie for me. I loved the element of surprise. When the show was on, I admit that I spoiled every episode for myself.

I hope a 3rd movie is made, although with the lack of advertisement on Fox's part, I doubt it will happen.

Loved it!!! Thank you for making this film.

After returning from viewing numero 4 yesterday, I have to say that I LOVED this film. I adore the chemistry between Anderson and Duchovny, I was blown away by the atmosphere created by Chris Carter and Frank Spontniz and I even didnt really loath Amanda Peet's character.
I think Carter and Spotnitz's appreciation of the fans really shines through in this film with numerous in-joke all over the place. However, this in no way hinders the film's action and excitement for newbies and will provide a fun feature-spotting experience for die hard XF fans.
I think one reason the critics are giving this film such a hard time is that is so different from what people EXPECT. Dont go in expecting to see Mulder and Scully as you saw them 6 years ago. It's been 6 years people, these characters, situations and actors have evolved and aged, as have your own tastes and requirements. Dont go in expecting to see all the same camera work and production you saw in Fight the Future. This is a much grittier work and the production reflects the rough nature of the storyline and the landscape.
If you are in any doubt about your opinion of this film when you walk out of your first viewing, go a second time. I walked out of the premiere on Wednesday feeling a little mixed up and not wholey satisfied. However, 4 days later, and 3 viewings later, I love this film and would quite like to marry it and have its babies.
Roll on XF3!

I just saw it for the second time, and I must say, I liked it even more the second time around. This film stays on your mind long after you leave the theater, especially the performance of Billy Connolly, whom I think did a masterful job as Father Joe. Very creepy, very disturbing, very dark -- in other words, a good X-File!

I really really liked this film. Granted it had flaws - the script lacked the clarity that could so easily have been attainable with some minor re-shuffling, some sculpting of dialogue and a few well placed scenes. Over all though, I found the movie to be engaging both for the story lines, exploration of the lead's realtionship and for their brilliant acting.

great movie!
scary and moving at the same time!

Shannon wrote:

I really really liked this film. Granted it had flaws - the script lacked the clarity that could so easily have been attainable with some minor re-shuffling, some sculpting of dialogue and a few well placed scenes. Over all though, I found the movie to be engaging both for the story lines, exploration of the lead's realtionship and for their brilliant acting.

Totally agree Shannon, but I guess we have to remember that they were right up against the writer's strike so probably couldnt do that re-shuffling. Given that fact, I think a lot of the script is superb.