X-Files: I Want to Believe

[Bourne101]

http://l.yimg.com/img.movies.yahoo.com/ymv/us/img/flickr/50/09/002454535009.jpg?x=660&y=660&sig=0Du8vyqUE_nqzZIL8UDx.A--

Directed by Chris Carter

Written by Frank Spotnitz and Chris Carter

Genre: Mystery/Sci-Fi

http://l.yimg.com/img.movies.yahoo.com/ymv/us/img/flickr/44/26/002381184426.jpg?x=660&y=660&sig=A3WwaqRbbOAhziX91TMwmQ--

Plot Outline: After investigating aliens and the government that denies their existence, Mulder and Scully are back for another case.

Starring: David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Amanda Peet, Billy Connolly, and Xzibit

http://l.yimg.com/img.movies.yahoo.com/ymv/us/img/flickr/27/62/002455362762.jpg?x=660&y=660&sig=7AeS7vsOPMJZFrfyGCRj_A--

Rated PG-13 for violent and disturbing content and thematic material.

Runtime: 105 minutes

Not a particularly huge fan of the X-Files TV series. The concept always interested me, but I never really got around to watching it. I enjoyed the first film, and I'll check this out for sure although it doesn't look like anything special.

[athf1980]

I'm not much into x-files because I have never really sat down and watch it. I do like the x-files theme. This could be interesting to me. I might see as a matinee or something. The closet thing that I ever got to watching x-files is the simpsons spoof of the x-files

[chinton]

X-Files is still one of the best Network TV shows that came on ever. Season 3 in particular is one of the best seasons of TV anywhere.

Considering this will be a monster of the week film hopefully it will be good.

[floydtheater07]

I am very much looking forward to this.

[Lazy Boy]

I never was a big fan of the X-Files, but what few episodes I saw were good. I think it's a little creaky, bringing it back ten years after the last film, and it will have to deliver something or otherwise be forgotten in the heap of summer films.

The TV spots are hilarious:

(random quotes, dialogue, VO)
"This summer, you WILL BELIEVE..."
"I want to believe...!"
"I believe in something!"
"Do you believe now?"
.
.
.
"X-Files: I Want to Believe. Starts July 25th"

[LordSimen]

I never was a big fan of the X-Files, but what few episodes I saw were good. I think it's a little creaky, bringing it back ten years after the last film, and it will have to deliver something or otherwise be forgotten in the heap of summer films.

The TV spots are hilarious:

(random quotes, dialogue, VO)
"This summer, you WILL BELIEVE..."
"I want to believe...!"
"I believe in something!"
"Do you believe now?"
.
.
.
"X-Files: I Want to Believe. Starts July 25th"

Hahaha. I enjoy the X-files but god damn does this movie need a new title.

[ilovemovies]

Yeah, the subtitle is VERY lame. They were better off just calling it The X-Files 2 than what they came up with. I want to believe? That's sounds more like a tagline than a title.

I'm also still a little disappointed that this is a stand alone story and not a continuation of the alien invasion/government coverup mythology of the show.

But I'm still excited about this. Infact, I'm almost as excited about this as I am about The Dark Knight. That's how much of a fan of The X-Files I am! :cool:

[miguel_montes]

Hahaha. I enjoy the X-files but god damn does this movie need a new title.

No, it really doesn't. The pursuit of truth is always Mulder and Scully's driving force, and also the fact that the truth is not always what it seems plausible to be.
"I want to believe" is also the tagline of the very famous UFO poster in the FBI agent's office.
It is a very fitting title.

Like "Quantum of Solace", I think. People don't like the title, but forget to search why it is titled that way. It makes complete sense.

I love the X-Files, been wanting another movie for years. Is it a crime to say I want to see this film more than TDK :p ?

[ilovemovies]

It might make sense but it's still a lame title that just sounds really bad. Like I said, it's a tagline, not a title.

And Quantum of Solace is an okay title. Not bad at all.

[Strider]

As a huge X-Files fan, I couldn't be more excited for The X-Files: I Want to Believe. I can't believe it's taken 10 years to get another X-Files film off the ground and into theaters. I'm also slightly disappointed that this is a stand-alone film and will have nothing to do with the show's mythology. Having said that, I can recall more than a few stand-alone episodes that were simply terrific -- so if this film is anything like some of the classic stand-alone episodes, it's going to be awesome.

I have a feeling this will be the last X-Files film ever (I'd like to see the X-Files turn into a successful film series, but I highly doubt that will happen), but I'm pumped up nevertheless.

And I actually like the film's sub-title -- it captures what Mulder and Scully are all about and their seemingly never-ending quest for the truth. Also, it's a nice nod to the famous poster in Mulder's office. It's a very fitting title indeed.

Strider

[optimus1]

I want to believe this will be good but I have very little faith in Chris Carter these days. Also I fear that even though TDK will be into its 2nd weekend it will still end up burying any other film. That said I will be in some theater watching and loving it hopefully.

[dellamorte dellamore]

I'm on board for this one also , i like what iv'e seen in the trailers and i love the first film , it was a great extension to the show . This one looks genuinely creepy with some biblical undertones , they have done an effective job showing you just enough to pique your interest without spoiling anything .

I'm not sure how well it can do with Tdk in it's second weekend but there is no reason why it can't make some decent money in spite of that film . I wouldn't underestimate it , the X files is still popular and people waited a while for this sequel .

[Lost in Space]

the show has some of the greatest writing, and i feel comfortable in assuming this movie will be equally well written.

[miguel_montes]

This one looks genuinely creepy with some biblical undertones

Care to elaborate on that, but in a spoiler-free post? I want to hear more about that because I don't get that same feeling just by watching the trailer.

[LordSimen]

No, it really doesn't. The pursuit of truth is always Mulder and Scully's driving force, and also the fact that the truth is not always what it seems plausible to be.
"I want to believe" is also the tagline of the very famous UFO poster in the FBI agent's office.
It is a very fitting title.

It'd be a fitting title if it were the title of an episode of the T.V. show, but it's a movie. X-Files 2, or something else would sound better. "I Want To Believe" doesn't sound right for a movie title and comes off as a little corny. It'd be better to have some variation of it as a tag-line rather than a title.

[Lost in Space]

It'd be a fitting title if it were the title of an episode of the T.V. show, but it's a movie. X-Files 2, or something else would sound better. "I Want To Believe" doesn't sound right for a movie title and comes off as a little corny. It'd be better to have some variation of it as a tag-line rather than a title.

Agreed, it took me a while to recognize it WASN'T the tagline, but in fact the title.

[chinton]

There is really no way for them to continue the mythology portion. The mythology made (relative) sense and was basically tied up in a season 6 two-parter. It was the one where most of the syndicate was burned alive and we get a clear idea of what the colonization plan was all about. It was after that when the mythology in a new direction that it flew off the rails.

[dellamorte dellamore]

Care to elaborate on that, but in a spoiler-free post? I want to hear more about that because I don't get that same feeling just by watching the trailer.


that old guy seems like he has the power to see impending doom , i get a sort of end of the world vibe from the trailer , not just a search for potential extra terrestial life

[Moviefan1234]

I used to watch the show a lot, but this just doesn't look good. The show is past it's time.

[TeeRay]

I was never a huge X-Files fan, only saw a few episodes here and there. My dad is a huge fan so i'm going to take him to see it.

I did buy the X-Files Revelations DVD, so at least i'll have more knowledge going into the movie.

[SpikeDurden]

I LOVE the show, but nothing I've seen from this film yet has me at all excited. It's definitely cool that come next week I'll be seeing Mulder and Scully on the screen again in a new adventure, I just hope Chris Carter has some surprises up his sleeve.

[ilovemovies]

The fact that they've been so secretive about the movie has me convinced that they definitely do have some surprises coming. At least I hope.

When David Duchovney was on Leno earlier this week they showed a clip and it had something to do with Mulder hoping to find something about his sister. Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't they finish the whole sister abduction story on the show?

[JasonBourne]

The fact that they've been so secretive about the movie has me convinced that they definitely do have some surprises coming. At least I hope.

When David Duchovney was on Leno earlier this week they showed a clip and it had something to do with Mulder hoping to find something about his sister. Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't they finish the whole sister abduction story on the show?

They did close the book on what happened to Samantha Mulder on the show.

[optimus1]

SPOILERS FOR THE TV EPISODES.

Yes they did and it didn't make much sense to me from what I remember..there was one episode where it showed she was molested and killed by some dude and buried with a whole bunch of other kids in there yard. Then of course there is the aliens who also took her from his home every episode when the opening credits rolled. So I am a little confused on the whole matter.

BTW

I got a bad feeling about this movie , im thinking its going to be a decent flick for the fans and will end up making money down the road but I am thinking it gets crushed even in Batmans 2nd weekend. Maybe 40 million at most for XFiles next weekend.

[dellamorte dellamore]

I think they would be ecstatic with a 40 mil opening , especially with B6 in it's second weekend . I'm thinking more like 30 mil , but 40 would certainly be considered a success .

[optimus1]

I think they would be ecstatic with a 40 mil opening , especially with B6 in it's second weekend . I'm thinking more like 30 mil , but 40 would certainly be considered a success .


Your probably right , it would probably make 40 without TDK opposite it so yes probably 30-35 is more accurate. I don't know how much it cost to make but I have no doubt it will be a money maker sooner or later.

[echo_bravo]

This summer just keeps on getting better and better.

I have been a huge X Files fan ever since the show first premiered so I am definitely on board for this one. I'll be seeing it opening day!

[challen66]

I've watched the whole series this past week in preparation for this movie! I can't believe they actually went past season 7! After that it went down hill! I'm prepared to believe!

[optimus1]

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/37560
http://www.scifimoviepage.com/xfiles2.html

Couple of semi-negative reviews hitting the net though don't know how accurate they are..also some replies from others who have seen the movie on AICN are saying the movie isn't all that great :( Am I surprised? No , Chris Carter lost a lot of points with me when he gave up on Millenium so that Fox would run his horrible Harsh Realm series. At least thats the way I saw it :) Anyway right now its not looking too good for this movie. And the bad thing to me is the trailers have all been imho mediocre at best, well at least the ones I have seen have been.

[Bourne101]

Yeah, those reviews go into pretty good detail, and it doesn't sound too good. Just another of many reasons why I will be seeing Step Brothers on Friday.

[ilovemovies]

Well even if it's bad I'll still be seeing it. I'm too much of an X-Files fan. And IMO there has been only 1 bad episode of all 9 seasons of the show. That's reason enough for me to go.

[chinton]

it may be bad but anything is better than Step Brothers. That looks inane.

[Bourne101]

it may be bad but anything is better than Step Brothers. That looks inane.

Looks pretty damn hilarious to me. And reviews so far have been solid.

[optimus1]

Well even if it's bad I'll still be seeing it. I'm too much of an X-Files fan. And IMO there has been only 1 bad episode of all 9 seasons of the show. That's reason enough for me to go.

To bad the one bad episode you speak of was that dreadful series finale :( ( ok technically that was 2 bad episodes )

[ilovemovies]

To bad the one bad episode you speak of was that dreadful series finale :( ( ok technically that was 2 bad episodes )

Not in my opinion.

I actually enjoyed the series finale.

The one I hated, perhaps somewhat surprisingly, was the one written by Stephen King. I hated that episode. Loved every other episode.

I actually don't remember too much of the episode but the one thing that stuck out about it is that it made Mulder into such annoying idiot.

[Mr.HyDe807]

OoOoOo.....Step Brothers is out the same day? Hmm..... if i don't have work, i'll probably check this out first in the afternoon, then Step brothers at night.

[chinton]

Step Brothers just looks like more of the Will Ferrell schtick that hes been doing ad naseum forever or seems like forever. Makes me appreciate Stranger Than Fiction more and more.

[dellamorte dellamore]

Your probably right , it would probably make 40 without TDK opposite it so yes probably 30-35 is more accurate. I don't know how much it cost to make but I have no doubt it will be a money maker sooner or later.

They would buy carter a new house if it somehow made 40 mil ;) .

I def want to see this , but i won't be going opening weekend , not enough time , but i'll catch it during the week , it looks good to me , i don't care about the reviews , i'm sold , so no need to potentially spoil anything with someone's opinion or possible plot points . It can't be any more fantastical than Tdk :) . Step Bros looks like dumb fun also , so that one is on the list also .

[optimus1]

If the interest level in this forum is any indication this movie is in trouble..however here is a good review finally..

http://www.moviehole.net/2008/07/21/the-x-files-i-want-to-believe/

" Yes, the overall ‘X-File’ of the plot is a little wacky – they probably could’ve toned it back a bit, and it still would’ve worked just as well – and Duchovny is constantly overshadowed by Anderson (and no again fault of his, it’s merely the fact that the writers have chosen to evolve the character of Scully – more so Mulder; and that’s probably been the intention since day one) and devoid of a lot new to do, but they’re merely tiny holes in a grand ship – steered in style by the masterful Chris Carter and long-time cohort Frank Spotnitz.

“The X-Files: I Want to Believe” isn’t just a love letter to X-Philes, it’s a tremendous film in it’s own right – in fact, it might be just be the best film of the year! Believe it! "

[ScaryFreak1827]

I've been an X-files fan for a couple years now; I've seen every episode of the series and caught the first movie in theaters back in 98. I love the mystery shrouding this film (wtf is it even about:confused:) and it looks like it could be great. I get chills just thinking about seeing Mulder and Scully together again:D In other words, can't wait.

[Derrida]

So some guy over at AICN hated the film. Roger Ebert however really likes it and awards it 3 and a half stars. I'm going to to see it anyway...

http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080723/REVIEWS/1651704

[floydtheater07]

Reading the reviews for this, I've noticed something: everyone says the same things about it. It's small scale, it's just like the show, it doesn't have any high-budget effects, etc. However, some critics think that's a good thing while others think it's a bad thing.

[psycheoutsteve]

The X Files : I want to believe...

and I want to believe they could've devised a better title to this movie, but oh well...hope it does alright.

[Bourne101]

Wow, I didn't expect reviews to be this bad. Space Chimps has a higher RT rating for crying out loud. I am pretty sure I'll be seeing X-Files this weekend, but one thing's for sure I'm very much looking forward to Step Brothers (seeing it tomorrow night), but I could really care less if I see X-Files.

Who knows though. Maybe it will surprise me.

[Lemmywinks]

I hate to say this, but it's exactly the movie I feared it would be. Just got out of the midnight showing. Basically all the bad things I read in reviews were true. This is just a bland, lazy, and almost pointless x-files film. After hearing rumors about Duchovny and Anderson waiting to come back for a good enough script, I thought this would at least be pretty good. It's only so-so. The first movie was so much better. This one just feels small, isolated and cold. It is just so small in scope to the first one. The alien conspiracy is not even mentioned and the overall plot is just so humdrum. It's been done. I was expecting something remotely satisfying and it wasn't even that. Mulder and Scully's relationship didn't even live up to anything. Seeing the characters together again was nice, but it just wasn't enough to hold up the film. They only had a few scenes where they even acted like they were together. I would write more but I'm pretty tired. Overall, I was pretty disappointed with this. Hopefully it makes money though, so a third film about the alien invasion in 2012 can be made.

[optimus1]

I hate to say this, but it's exactly the movie I feared it would be. Just got out of the midnight showing. Basically all the bad things I read in reviews were true. This is just a bland, lazy, and almost pointless x-files film. After hearing rumors about Duchovny and Anderson waiting to come back for a good enough script, I thought this would at least be pretty good. It's only so-so. The first movie was so much better. This one just feels small, isolated and cold. It is just so small in scope to the first one. The alien conspiracy is not even mentioned and the overall plot is just so humdrum. It's been done. I was expecting something remotely satisfying and it wasn't even that. Mulder and Scully's relationship didn't even live up to anything. Seeing the characters together again was nice, but it just wasn't enough to hold up the film. They only had a few scenes where they even acted like they were together. I would write more but I'm pretty tired. Overall, I was pretty disappointed with this. Hopefully it makes money though, so a third film about the alien invasion in 2012 can be made.

Pretty depressing to read this but I am not surprised

[SpikeDurden]

Yeah, it was all right. As a fan of the show it was nice to see them together again, to hear the theme on the big screen and to watch Fox Mulder do what he does. And it isn't a badly made film. There was definitely entertainment to be had. But for the second X-Files film, for the return of this great franchise to the big screen, it does feel insignificant. This should've been a balls to the wall alien invasion film, and instead it's just a pretty decent long episode. If you're a fan, see it, there's stuff to enjoy, little moments and jokes and whatnot, but really it isn't all that special.

I hope they make a third, though, and that it rocks.

6/10

[dellamorte dellamore]

Wow, I didn't expect reviews to be this bad. Space Chimps has a higher RT rating for crying out loud. I am pretty sure I'll be seeing X-Files this weekend, but one thing's for sure I'm very much looking forward to Step Brothers (seeing it tomorrow night), but I could really care less if I see X-Files.

Who knows though. Maybe it will surprise me.

Looks like i'll be seeing Tdk again , but i was going to anyway . Then again some other films i really enjoyed weren't exactly liked by some other shmoes , so i still have to see what's up with X files for myself . I agree about SB , it looks like goofy fun , i can't make up my mind about the second film i want to see out of the new releases .

[Lutheranwork]

Here below is what bothers me about this movie..

"[The big plot twist is] so tawdry and ludicrous that, were the film's tone anything but Carter's usual dark and downbeat style, this movie would be the new I Know Who Killed Me."

They shot too low when making this movie. I know they wanted to TRY and get newbies into the theaters but the way they went about it was weak from what I can tell by reading all these bad reviews on RT. Its at 29% right now, thats an abomination for such a good show. They pretty much made a weak 2 part episode and put it on the big screen.

They totally ignore the alien invasion which to me is ridiculous. What they should have done is a balls to the wall invasion movie to satisfy all the fans they fucked over with those lame last 2 seasons and especially that stupid final episode of the series. Done right it could have been a tremendous way to say hello and goodbye to these characters. As it is now we will most likely never see that invasion movie as this movie will most likely do poorly. I say the most it makes opening weekend will be 22-25 million which is terrible.

[MoovEDude]

I expected these reviews. a sequel film to one made 10 years ago and not very good 6/10...I wont even bother with this when it hits dvd

[KenSPT]

Bloody-Disgusting has a good review up, comparing this film to a bad made for TV flick ...

http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/film/691/review

I'm going to be seeing it tonight, but that's simply because the girlfriend is a huge X-Files fan. If she wasn't, you can bet I wouldn't be wasting my coin.

[ilovemovies]

For those who have seen it who makes brief appearences? Please tell me Skinner has at least a cameo.

[echo_bravo]

Well, I think I might be skipping this one and probably just gonna go see the Dark Knight again.:D

[Lemmywinks]

For those who have seen it who makes brief appearences? Please tell me Skinner has at least a cameo.


SPOILERS!!!!!!




Yes, Skinner is in the film. Only for the last 15 minutes though. He helps Scully at one point towards the end. Kind of a wasted cameo though. He doesnt really do much and he might have like five lines. He is the only other character from the show that makes a cameo though. Now that I think of it though, I don't know who else they could have brought in.

[visual_tension]

I don't see why this is getting shit on so much. The movie's actually pretty good. Sure, it's a bit underwhelming considering what it could've been, but whatever. It's a small film and I enjoyed it from start to finish. I had a big grin on my face just seeing Mulder and Scully together again. Duchovny and Anderson make the movie worth watching.

7/10

[g05]

just saw the movie. it was alright. could've waited for dvd. if you guys want aliens though, go see Indy 4! :D

[Shale]

The X-Files: I Want to Believe
Review by Shale
July 25, 2008

Only about a third of the professional critics liked this movie but I don't listen to critics when it comes to certain movies that I know I will see anyhow. Guess it's that cult following thing (Like Star Trek: The Motion Picture that we Trekkers liked just because it was).

I saw the movie today and have to say it is mostly character driven with our old familiar believer Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and skeptic Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) doing much the role they did on TV.

Of course they have both aged - the TV series started in 1993 and lasted 'til 2002, with the first movie (Fight the Future) coming out in '98. So, it's been a decade since we last saw these characters and a lot of catching up in their relationship and where they are with the world.

S
P
O
I
L
E
R
MAYBE

Other reviewers have told parts of the plot in this movie that I feel may ruin it for some. I sorta like the surprises that unfold in a story and don't necessarily like to know what to expect beforehand but if you don't mind knowing these things read on.

I was surprised that it was not the movie that the trailers implied. Also, it seems what I saw in the trailers were misleading and those scenes changed in the movie. The trailers showed a bunch of FBI agents spreading out on a frozen lake as if to outline a large circular object (perhaps like the space ship in the previous movie) but that was never a consideration in this storyline. In the trailers the long-haired psychic, Father Joe (Billy Connolly) looks up with black eyes like those infected aliens in the TV show but in the movie it was blood - no alien.

Don't expect the big Sci-Fi focus of the previous movie. This one was more down to earth in its fiction, like many of the TV episodes that left the alien story arc to explore other weird stuff. There was very little special effects, no big explosions, no shooting just killing by other means and mostly on the victims whose parts were being found.

Our movie opens with Father Joe finding body parts by psychic ability in the West Virginia snow. He is a convicted pedophile so also a suspect by the FBI. Scully is a practicing doctor, having left the FBI oh, maybe a decade ago. She is approached by a couple of FBI agents (Amanda Peet & Alvin "Xzibit" Joiner) to see if she can locate Mulder to help on this bizarre case of a missing agent and verify the psychic.

Sure she can locate Mulder. Apparently since we saw them last they now share the same bed in an isolated home in the country. However, Scully is still the science based realist and Mulder still the believer in all that paranormal stuff that we all wanna believe or we wouldn't be watching the X-Files.

Mulder agrees to help the FBI, even though they gave him grief and smeared his name in all those TV shows and the last movie (referenced here BTW). The rest of this movie is just an old fashioned mystery and drama that really got into our characters' relationship and dependence on each other.

Mulder & Scully Workin' Again
http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/movie/gallery/1189457/photo_02_hires.jpg

Scully is really hostile toward the pedophile Father Joe and is working thru her own head trips with caring for a boy dying of an incurable disease, but she is determined to try a radical stem cell treatment against the wishes of the Catholic hospital in which she works. She is reluctant to help her partner and get back into the dark world of the X-Files and he is just as determined to see the investigation thru.

Again, let me say that this movie is about Mulder and Scully in the midst of a mystery. There are moments of suspense and danger of course but it comes back to our main characters. So, if you were a fan of the TV show you will likely enjoy seeing this flick.

I liked the subtle humor of this show, such as in the FBI building going thru a door with a portrait on either side. One of Duh'bya and the other of J. Edgar. The joke is so subtle I can't explain it but several people laughed at the scene. Also, there is a shot of Mulder going thru the phone list on his cell and the name Gillian is there.

I liked the movie and will probably get it on DVD and watch it again.

[ilovemovies]

They made such a big deal of keeping things a secret for that?! The story is completely straight forward with zero surprises and twists. I seriously don't understand why FOX was so adiment in keeping the plot so secretive when there wasn't really anything whatsoever to keep secret.

I think non X-Files fans might actually like it more than fans because unfortunately they tried to make it viable for nonfans so much so that at times it doesn't really feel like an X-Files movie. It's just your standard well made serial killer thriller. I swear you could pretty much replace Mulder and Scully for any other characters from another movie. Other than the pyshic thing, which was okay but nothing especially memorable, there were no supernatural elements to the movie. There was no real mystery. No sense of menace that the show is so great at doing. This was very ordinary.

I don't want to sound too down because I actually did enjoy it. As I said, it's a very well made film. There is a great chase scene half way through the movie involving Mulder and Amanda Peet's character that ends surprisingly (and greatly too I might add). Billy Connelly is quite good as the psychic pedaphile ex priest who helps in the investigation. I loved the snowy setting. And best of all is Mulder and Scully themselves. These are two great characters and both Duchovney and Anderson are great as usual. Although is it or Scully seem very different in this movie? And I'm not talking about her longer hair either.

But I have some other problems with this movie as well. And they are rather spoilerish. Some real pet peeves concerning the characters and tv series.


SPOILERS!










Okay, it's been six years and Mulder has been a fugitive. Your telling me that the FBI never really cared about actually catching Mulder and are just glad he's gone from the FBI? Bullshit! That was so stupid. It drove me mad. Way to treat your own finale and story from such trivialy. Ugh. That pissed me off so much.

Another thing, Mulder and Scully are aware of an impending alien invasion and what have they been doing? Not much. Scully went back to being a doctor and Mulder doesn't seem like he's done much of anything? Again bullshit. They know an invasion is coming if the movie were to stay true to these characters they would be trying to do something about. They would be trying to stop it. And it seems like they basically have just given up. The movie should have at least given it a mention of some kind. They completely ignored it. And the Mulder and Scully I knew from the show just wouldn't give up so easily.


Also bringing up Mulder's sister again was lame considering that they've put an end to that storyline already. Bringing it up was completely pointless.

One last thing, they bring up their son briefly but they make it sound like he's dead. That can't be the case. First of all, correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't they give him up for adoption in the show? Another reason why he can't be dead is because isn't he suppose to special and important? Like something involving the alien invasion or whatever. I can't remember. It's been forever since I've seen the show.




END OF SPOILERS!







All in all, I enjoyed The X-Files sequel more as a stand alone story but as an X-Files movie, it's somewhat disappointing. But still solid.


7/10

[snoopmish]

I plan to see it tomorrow. It seems like the thing people don't like about it is that it isn't Alien related. I say so what. Most of the X-files series was NOT alien related.....that was just the main conspiracy. My man and I have been rewatching the series and about a 2/3rds of all the episodes are stand alone stories covering everything from paranormal phenomenon to differing monsters to serial killers with a twist like Cannibalism and Witchcraft.

I have a feeling from what I am reading that I am going to like the film. This was never going to be a sequel to "Fight the Future" , people forget that that film took place after the finale of season 5.....played out what happened during the summer and went right into the premiere of season 6. It is MEANT to be in that context...so Season 6 is the sequel to the film. That is how it goes. So I am fine with the fact that this is a stand alone case......the show had mostly those anyway.

[Bourne101]

Wow, I was going to see it this weekend, but it sounds absolutely dreadful. I will catch it on DVD.

[KenSPT]

I'm not an X-Files fan, never have been, but my girlfriend is. In the vein of being a good boyfriend, despite the negative talk about the movie, I went to see this with her last night.

In short, this movie was insanely boring. It struck me as a movie that was moving along at 30 MPH, and you were constantly waiting for it to kick into high gear and get more interesting, but it never did.

I have very limited knowledge of the X-Files series, which didn't hamper me following the storyline, because with the exception of some inside references that had very little to do with the plot, the movie was pretty much a separate entity.

At the end of the day, this felt like a 2 hour TV show. I believe it would have been an appropriate thing to air as a TV movie, or even as a straight to DVD release, but in theaters it comes across as a very sub-par movie.

I honestly think, if I was a bigger X-Files fan, I'd be highly annoyed about this movie.

I'd give it a 6/10 ...

[optimus1]

Yes ^^^^ like I said earlier it seems to me they were so consumed at trying to make this a movie that reached people outside of the normal X-Files fans that they forgot to include all the good stuff that makes the X-Files so compelling. And thats a tight scary story intertwined with the relationship of the 2 main characters and their ongoing fight with the government to stop hiding the truth. And also neglecting to use people like Skinner and even John Doggett and Anabeth Gish. Instead they insert people like Xzibit who no one cares about and who adds nothing to the movie. Just an epic fail for all who were involved including Duchovney and Anderson who both should have passed on such a lame script.

[chinton]

I walked out while Skinner and Scully were driving towards the farm or whatever. Dull dull dull. Honestly is this really the same guy who created the series cause there was nothing in here that remotely reminded of all the things that I loved about X-files.


Still Anderson continues to give strong performances. When is she ever going to hit the big time.

[MarcoPolo]

MY REVIEW

I saw the first X-Files on TV when it originally aired when I was in college. I was a big fan for the first 4-5 seasons...then I fizzled out. It was in it's time bar none the best written show on television. This movie was a pitiful disappointment, worse than just about every TV episode I saw. 2/10.

Both priests were portrayed in a suspect manner. The hospital priest was flippant and rude in every scene---a one dimensional bad guy that all movies need to lose. The pedophile priest was portrayed a little better, but the viewer is left to decide for himself if he was legit or not. As a Catholic I grow bored with this...but don't worry, even if you don't like priests, this movie will still bore the hell out of you.

It moves about as fast as Paul Konerko stretching out a double. The movie focuses way too much on the "relationship" and not enough on paranormal activity. And whoever told me in the other thread that even if I missed the last 3 seasons, I'd be up to speed...you were wrong. There were aspects of these characters that I was like "What in the hell....."

There is also almost no action in this movie. A chase scene comparable to a street foot-race in 1970s' Starsky and Hutch. Mulder acts like a moron in the climax scene...and Scully annoyed me the whole movie.

Worst movie I have seen this year.

********SPOILERS BELOW*******

This movie was just bad. Scully was in a bad mood the whole time. Quarreling with everyone she talks to. She gives this heartfelt speech to Mulder at the beginning to convince him to return to help the FBI....and then she spends the rest of the movie bashing him for maintaining such a life!!!! Just a bad movie. I hope it bombs.

[MarcoPolo]

S
P
O
I
L
E
R
MAYBE

I liked the subtle humor of this show, such as in the FBI building going thru a door with a portrait on either side. One of Duh'bya and the other of J. Edgar. The joke is so subtle I can't explain it but several people laughed at the scene. Also, there is a shot of Mulder going thru the phone list on his cell and the name Gillian is there.

****SPOILERS***

That was by far the best moment in the show. It was so weird, but so funny, and the music.... Hysterical. And I read that name in the phone as "Gilligan", not Gillian, maybe I misread it. And wasn't the author of the sex book on the nightstand written by "Carter"?

[sarah1980]

even with the bad reviews i'm going to see this tomorrow

(was gonna go opening day but was just to damn tired from working so much)

but hey i've watched the series since the beginning stuck though it with the good and the bad and the down right awful :p

and just to see these characters again after 6 years is a treat

[KenSPT]

I walked out while Skinner and Scully were driving towards the farm or whatever.

Why the hell do people walk out of movies they pay for?

Obviously, I'm assuming you paid to see it.

Regardless, why would you sit through 90% of the movie and then walk out right before the end. Despite the fact it wasn't a great flick, that makes absolutely no sense.

Actually, people walking out of movies in general has never made sense to me.

[chinton]

Why the hell do people walk out of movies they pay for?

Obviously, I'm assuming you paid to see it.

Regardless, why would you sit through 90% of the movie and then walk out right before the end. Despite the fact it wasn't a great flick, that makes absolutely no sense.

Actually, people walking out of movies in general has never made sense to me.


Sitting through the rest of the movie wouldn't make my life any better. I wanted to leave earlier but I kept hoping it would get better. I just gave up eventually.


I shouldn't have seen this after the far far superior Baghead.

[KenSPT]

Sitting through the rest of the movie wouldn't make my life any better. I wanted to leave earlier but I kept hoping it would get better. I just gave up eventually.


I shouldn't have seen this after the far far superior Baghead.

Okay. That still doesn't make any sense since you paid for the film, but whatever.

[chinton]

Okay. That still doesn't make any sense since you paid for the film, but whatever.


I already paid for it. Watching all of it wouldnt get my money back.

[KenSPT]

I already paid for it. Watching all of it wouldnt get my money back.

True, but normally if I pay to watch a movie, I watch the entire movie.

Then again, I finish pretty much every movie I start, because personally I feel ones opinion on a film isn't valid unless they watch the movie from beginning to end.

[optimus1]

What a disaster , couldn't even muster up 11 million. I hope Carter is sufficiently humiliated. This is payback for a terrible series finale and for Millenium being cancelled so that he could air that train wreck Harsh Realm. Sucks we will never get to see the invasion. It would probably be terrible because Carter would be in full control. Imagine that storyline in the hands of someone like Nolan. The Supersoilders, the shape shifting bounty hunter and the aliens that come from the black oil infections going up against Mulder/Scully/Skinner/Doggett and some special FBI task force created specifically to deal with the 2012 invasion. Out of the blue the CSM appears , the missle that was fired went right past his head and blew up too far away to kill him..man Carters a fool. He made a non X-Files movie with Mulder and Scully as the stars. Idiot.

[moose1132]

I'm a huge fan of the series and was very let down by this movie. I don't even think this felt like an episode of the TV show. I think if they did air this as an episode while it was still on the air, it'd be among the worst. I understand why they kept the plot such a secret now... because of how bland and stupid it was. What really sucks though is that on top of being a bad movie, with it tanking we'll probably never see Mulder and Scully in any form again. The thought that this is how the X-files goes out is just sad.

[WhatISAW]

SPOILERS!!!!!!


What was up with the scene after the credits, with Scully and Molder on a rowboat in the middle of the ocean? Is this a setup for X-Files 3?


I read something about it online; I actually missed it in the theater. So I caught it on YouTube. http://youtube.com/watch?v=jZwhrkKEqko

[floydtheater07]

This film is, at the moment, highly underrated, but I want to believe (sue me) that it will generate a greater following upon its DVD release. I am thoroughly impressed with what Carter and Company delivered to us. Now, yes, if you're a fan of classic X-Files, I feel like you ought to enjoy this to some degree. The setting is used spectactularly, and is full of old-school X-Files visuals. The creepy lights brooding deep within the woods. The perpetually overcast skies. The dirty backroads. The snowy hills. It's not slick, it's real, and it's extremely faithful to the original show.

The horror is of a very disturbing nature. I am very rarely frightened by movies, but this really disturbed me. Moreso than many episodes of the show, and I'm a big fan.

But what is really praise-worthy is that this is a film of true complexity. It is far more morally challening than most films I have ever seen. Carter and Spotnitz must have a huge set of balls to make something as risky as this when the future of the franchise depends on its success. I honestly believe that some people disliked this film because it made them uncomfortable. It made me uncomfortable, made me wish at times that it was just another summer thrill ride, but there's more important things going on here. Yes, it's got some religious themes going on, but they are handled so impressively well. There are debatably negative religious elements in this story, but there is also a positive message abouth faith and God. But, and this is what is so difficult to articulate...we aren't given answers. The questions we had at the beginning of the film aren't answered for us, but instead are emphasized. This is a well-titled film. It's not "Believe". That's a message, a moral we'll get from a less challening film. It's "I Want To Believe". Wanting to believe suggests that there may be reasons to believe and reasons not to.

Some of the writing is flawed, as if Carter and Spotnitz want to be sure that the themes get across, at the expense of realism. And I had a tough time accpeting elements of the plot that were, well, ridiculous. But overall, we have a really interesting film here. Let's not let it go unnoticed and unappreciated.

[dellamorte dellamore]

Now that the films has inexplicable bombed , it''s time to come up with alternate subtitles . All related to what the studio may be thinking .

X Files : i want to believe the film didn't make less than MM in it's second weekend :)


X Files : i want to believe that we would have made more money at a different time of year

X Files : i want to believe there are more than 10 people still interested in the franchise


X Files : i want to believe we will still make a profit on dvd


X Files : i want to believe the majority of people wanted to see it , but were too busy doing more important things


Feel free to expand on this theme :)


I still want to see it though , i seriously don't think it's as bad as some are making it out to be .

[chinton]

To me if you want to see disturbing watch "Home" "Tooms" episodes or "Humbug". Those episodes among far more are so much more disturbing than anything in the film.

I've never seen a movie that could make a two-headed dog boring.

[floydtheater07]

People NEED to read this review. The guy nails it...really awesome review. Some spoilers.

http://reflectionsonfilmandtelevision.blogspot.com/

[optimus1]

It is a good review but he's probably wrong when he says that there is still life in this franchise. Where can it go from here? Even an Invasion movie will now have this titles savagely horrible numbers/reviews to overcome. Any X-Files movie already has enough to overcome ( niche show/based on a TV show thats been off the air for years/no real big stars/convoluted mythology which scares people away on brand new shows let alone old ones ) without this kind of baggage to add to all that.Not to mention that there is no way the studio approves a big budget X-Files movie after the meager BO this one produced. And you can't do the Invasion movie without spending minimum 70-100 million. Anyway I agree that he explains it all nicely , the movie doesn't suck its just not a grand epic movie and thats what you needed when the opposition is TDK.


Sorry for rambling on lol , im just gutted by how poorly the movie did.

[CyclicNightmare]

That review is fairly spot on. This just got released at the wrong time. It would have fared much better as an off season film. I think a September release date would have been a better choice.

[chinton]

The problem with the film has nothing to do with it not being grand or epic. Thats so missing the point. Almost as much as someone saying that people didnt like The Mist ending cause it was too dark.

I think anybody who was a true fan of the X-Files was njot expecting a big story let alone an alien story. The original show did small stories like this all the time but still imbued with heart and compelling drama. There was none of that here. It was all just old ground tread once again and even if one has never seen the show it feels like it.


Anyway what I'm trying to say is go back to Season 1 and watch "Beyond The Sea". Its surprisingly similiar in story except with Scully in Mulders part in the film. Its so much better in every way. Certianly more emotionall resonant.

[optimus1]

Yes the problem with "the film" had nothing to do with it not being epic..the problem with "the films box office" probably did have something to do with the scope of the film. Every movie website I went to and people I know who love the X-Files and just general word on the street was that the trailers looked incredibly boring and generic. To me , a guy who loves TXF to death , I thought the trailers were weak. As soon as I seen a few of them I was worried this might happen on opening weekend. People thought this was going to be a boring movie BEFORE the bad reviews came out. They did a crappy job with the movie not because it was done poorly but it needed to be more of a movie and less of a tv 2 part episode what with it being off the air for 6 years and 10 years past the last movie. They also did just as bad a job in marketing it as the trailers truly made it out to be boring as all hell. There was no buzz at all here ( on Joblo ) for this movie which sort of shocked me. IMHO the 2 biggest reasons why the box office was so terrible are..1) TDK 2) The movie just looked boring as all hell , even the fans of the show didn't bother to go see it. It looked like a good rental. Now even if it was a huge budgeted flick with some star power added in and great trailers all around its still a 20-30 million tops weekend. But it would have had some legs and even with a 60-80 million dollar budget would have made money when worldwide BO and dvd sales were counted. Instead its dead on arrival and we are all talking about no more scully/mulder.

[pheadx]

i watched every episode on their airing date, from the pilot on. today, i went into to the film with very low expectations.
now i have to say, that honestly most of the people here or on other pages don't get the film and won't ever get it.
there are only three stupid things in the movie (SPOILER) the google search (which might be actually not so inaccurate), the very unsubtle Bush joke and the gay marriage thing (SPOILER END). Other than that, this is a small intimate character study, which happens to have an X-File in it. It's well acted, nicely shot, and subtle and silent. Both Scully and Mulder are played in a real nice subtle way (much better than in the last seasons of the show). And the characters are believable (in contrast to everything from season 8 on).
The X-File is not the murder case, it is indeed about the priest. This story is about Mulder, Scully and the Priest. Nothing else. And it asks questions of morality that I have not seen in many other mainstream movies. It also is a very old-school film. People think that a film without obvious color correction or special effects looks cheap? frack them. People think that a film needs splosions and fast cuts? frack them twice. This is the exact opposite of fight the future. If you would watch them right after another, they would pretty much form what the show was always about.

[ilovemovies]

The problem is the whole storying with Scully and questioning her faith is that it's been done to death on the show. How many friggin' times are Mulder or Scully going to question their faith and think about possibly wanting to give up? It's no longer original. Been there, done that.

So don't say people don't get it or understand it. That's such a copout.

[pheadx]

the show never dealt with these themes in such an adult way.

the film doesn't want to be original or a pop-culture phenomenom.
that this is not original is also part of the conflict, because scully and mulder have become tired of themselves, which is a nice direction.

faith vs. science is the show's major theme. you're mixing it up with the plot, when you say that it has been done to death.

Basically, X-Files 2 is a film no one wants to see, because mainly a large audience is not interested in watching a film about the show's major theme. That doesn't mean that it's a bad film. I'm quite surprised that a film like this even got made.

A film that emphasizes a personal conflict between faith and science. In doing that, I think it suceeds more than similar films (like The Fountain) in the presentation of these conflicts.

Read Roger Eberts review. He pretty much nails it.

[chinton]

I agree one of the main reasons if not the main reason why the show was so successful was the major themes discussed in the film and the confrontation between the main characters.

But the show never dealt with these themes in an adult way. Is that supposed to be a joke? Honestly has nobody seen the episode "Beyond The Sea". That episode alone invalidates that point. Also the reason why the show became popular is becuase it was able to take a basic horror/sci fi show teplate and use it to discuss larger themese about faith and belief.

The problem is I don't think the film showed this dynamic in any new or exciting way. All the conversations about faith and belief felt very one note and old and all I could was think about how they did it much better on the show.

And the subplot with Scully while I guess connected to the theme in a vague sense never really felt fully connected. It felt like a waste of time. Defintely the biggest mistep.

[pheadx]

I agree one of the main reasons if not the main reason why the show was so successful was the major themes discussed in the film and the confrontation between the main characters.

But the show never dealt with these themes in an adult way. Is that supposed to be a joke? Honestly has nobody seen the episode "Beyond The Sea". That episode alone invalidates that point. Also the reason why the show became popular is becuase it was able to take a basic horror/sci fi show teplate and use it to discuss larger themese about faith and belief.

The problem is I don't think the film showed this dynamic in any new or exciting way. All the conversations about faith and belief felt very one note and old and all I could was think about how they did it much better on the show.

And the subplot with Scully while I guess connected to the theme in a vague sense never really felt fully connected. It felt like a waste of time. Defintely the biggest mistep.

well I think it did. It never reached the level in the show, at least to me. This was the most grounded episode or film since the show left Toronto. To me it reached a new level in the sense that it for the first time gave me something like a catharsis. If this is the last thing I see of the X-Files, to me it is a perfect ending.

The story with the boy is quite essential. I can understand why you won't like it, but accept it: this is what the film is all about. It's not what you want to see, but it is what the film is about. The story about the kid and the pedophile priest. they could have put in any different monster of the week story, I don't care. I'm glad that film never tends to pretend that it is something else than it really is. A small intimate love story about Mulder and Scully.

[optimus1]

A small intimate love story about Mulder and Scully.

Unfortunately a little too small if you ask me, and after all these years it seems like nobody cares anymore. I think they would care about a big budget, big guest star invasion movie. Nobody wanted to see Mulder and Scully in a CSI movie.

[pheadx]

Unfortunately a little too small if you ask me, and after all these years it seems like nobody cares anymore. I think they would care about a big budget, big guest star invasion movie. Nobody wanted to see Mulder and Scully in a CSI movie.

Yeah, I agree that noone seems to care about it.
I'm just glad that they did the right thing. To me, this is a much better "last episode" than the overstuffed season 9 finale. That's a good way to say goodbye. This is what the finale should have been.

[Strider]

The X-Files: I Want to Believe - 5/10 or **1/2/***** stars

Six years after The X-Files series finale, Fox Mulder and Dana Scully are back on the big screen for the first time since 1998's solid The X-Files: Fight the Future, and unfortunately, their return is nothing short of a disappointment. The story, written by series creator and director Chris Carter and Frank Spotnitz, is hardly engaging, never surprising, and most importantly, not appropriate for a feature-length X-Files picture. Carter and Spotnitz should've used this story for a two-part episode during the series' run instead. Even then, it would've made for a mediocre, utterly forgettable episode. On the positive side, David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson deliver very good performances and effortlessly slip back into these terrific characters, but they're worth more than the weak, plodding script. The X-Files: I Want to Believe, a stand-alone film, is vastly inferior to the series' finest stand-alone episodes, such as "Beyond the Sea," "Home," "Drive," "The Host," and "Clyde Bruckman’s Final Repose" among others. If you've never been a fan of The X-Files, don't bother watching this, because it has nothing to offer non-fans; and if you're a die-hard fan, prepare to be disappointed. It's a shame Mulder and Scully have to go out this way.

Strider

[Badbird]

Damn. What the hell is up with the negative attitudes towards this movie?

Granted, a sequel should have been made years ago. The X Files could have become the new Star Trek with a new movie every three or four years. But that didn't happen.

But as it stands, I don't see why there is such a harsh reaction to this movie. It was a tight, well done suspense thriller. Is it a little disappointing it's not a grand scale sequel to the equally grand scale original? Yeah, but this is a different story. And it's still a pretty good one.

No one can sit there and tell me they knew how twisted things would get by the end.

Anyway. No, not as good as the first one, but still really good. This was a mature story about love and faith and doing what is right no matter what. And it felt real.

9/10



...But yeah, what was up with that scene after the credits?

[pheadx]

The X-Files: I Want to Believe - 5/10 or **1/2/***** stars

The X-Files: I Want to Believe, a stand-alone film, is vastly inferior to the series' finest stand-alone episodes, such as "Beyond the Sea," "Home," "Drive," "The Host," and "Clyde Bruckman’s Final Repose" among others. If you've never been a fan of The X-Files, don't bother watching this, because it has nothing to offer non-fans; and if you're a die-hard fan, prepare to be disappointed. It's a shame Mulder and Scully have to go out this way.

Strider

None of the mentioned stand-alone episodes would survive a feature film length treatment, if you think about it. If XF2 would be a stand-alone episode (which means less time for the body-parts story, with the focus on the priest and child), it would be one of the better episodes.

[DrJellyfingers]

Damn. What the hell is up with the negative attitudes towards this movie?

Granted, a sequel should have been made years ago. The X Files could have become the new Star Trek with a new movie every three or four years. But that didn't happen.

But as it stands, I don't see why there is such a harsh reaction to this movie. It was a tight, well done suspense thriller. Is it a little disappointing it's not a grand scale sequel to the equally grand scale original? Yeah, but this is a different story. And it's still a pretty good one.

No one can sit there and tell me they knew how twisted things would get by the end.

Anyway. No, not as good as the first one, but still really good. This was a mature story about love and faith and doing what is right no matter what. And it felt real.

9/10



...But yeah, what was up with that scene after the credits?

what was after the credits?

[Strider]

None of the mentioned stand-alone episodes would survive a feature film length treatment, if you think about it.

You make a good point, but that's not what I'm saying at all. In a nutshell, if I was given a choice between watching The X-Files: I Want to Believe or any of those above-mentioned stand-alone episodes, I'd choose the latter over the former, without a doubt.

If XF2 would be a stand-alone episode (which means less time for the body-parts story, with the focus on the priest and child), it would be one of the better episodes.

We'll have to agree to disagree there.

Strider

[Badbird]

what was after the credits?

Mulder and Scully in a row boat off in some tropical sea waving at the camera as it flies overhead.

I guess it means "Happily ever after," but it was just kinda... out of place.

[breedppts2fight]

Saw this last weekend...................................wish i hadnt.

I'll admit ive never seen an episode of the x-files, that might of made it a better experience as i didnt get a lot of the references.

I was kinda lookin forward to it because being Scottish i will see msot things with billy connoly in it but he wasnt redeeming in the slightest. He was actually in the scene which most annoyed me. ****SPOILERS**** When they take him to the wrong house to see if he's a real psychic and he goes to the right house. The right house is covered in police tape. All that proves is he's got eyes, there was another bit in the film like this but i cant remember it ****END SPOILERS****

If you havent listened to it already, listen to the /FilmCast review of it, priceless!

[pheadx]

As much as I liked it:

From the first 10 Minutes I kept on thinking: Wouldn't this film have much more emotional resonance if the kid was actually William. I mean there was so much potential. Scully not telling Mulder, because she's a woman of science and she wants science to cure her/their son and not Mulder running around, chasing aliens, because she needs him right there to support her. So she doesn't tell him... Also, if the kid actually had died it would be a deep emotional conflict that would also bring some closure to that irritating William storyline.

[Vong]

Saw it last night, and I'm satisfied with seeing it.
It doesn't have the X-Files spark of the TV series or the previous movie, but it did have the characters that I knew and loved from the series. I consider myself an X-Files fan through-and-through, even past season 7. While this didn't feel like an X-Files movie, it did feel like a nice continuation to Mulder and Scully's relationship which I feel was the main focus. The Series Finale left me wondering what happened to them. With the answer given to me, I feel satisfied knowing they are still together going strong.

As much as I liked it:

From the first 10 Minutes I kept on thinking: Wouldn't this film have much more emotional resonance if the kid was actually William. I mean there was so much potential. Scully not telling Mulder, because she's a woman of science and she wants science to cure her/their son and not Mulder running around, chasing aliens, because she needs him right there to support her. So she doesn't tell him... Also, if the kid actually had died it would be a deep emotional conflict that would also bring some closure to that irritating William storyline.

I agree with you dude, to an extent. I agree that this kid becoming William would be an amazing story-twist, but as a part of this film with an already jumpy story-line I don't think it would work. If the kid survives to the next film (here's hoping) that connection could work in the grand scheme of the Invasion plot.

[Cosimo]

oh no! watching this at mo. x-zibit and dirty old duchovny

this is bad