The X-Files: I Want to Believe

Venue: GSC One-Utama
Time: 915 pm

Another week, another new movie. This week, it's "The X-Files: I Want to Believe". Catchy title huh? Well, for all of you who doesn't know by now - this is the 2nd X-Files movie based on the hit 90's TV series of the same name that's been released on the silver screen. The first movie - The X-Files: Fight the Future, was released 10 years ago (1998) at the peak of the series' lifespan. After the series ended in 2002 with 9 seasons glorifying our TV screens - a new X-Files movie is back - but does it promise to be as great as the TV series? or is it another ploy to please it's die hard fans?

I have always been a die-hard fan of The X-Files - that I have to say. Since the first show started airing in 1993 (I think it only came about in Malaysia in '95) til it ended in 2002 - I practically grew up watching the X-Files. For as long as I can remember, I have not missed a single episode of the X-Files since it started showing in Malaysia (yes, I know I'm a geek). Because of that, I am fairly thrilled about this new movie.

David Duchovny reprising his role as Fox Mulder

So why did they decide to do another X-Files movie one might ask? Didn't they explain everything about aliens and government conspiracies and tied up all the loose ends on the final season? Well yeah they did, but that's the thing - this movie isn't about the aliens and E.T mumbo-jumbo.

Remember when you watched X-Files there were 2 types of storyline in the episodes? One involves the 'mythology' of the series - in which there are aliens, conspiracies and a certain Cigarette-smoking-man. The other: the 'monster-of-the-week' type of episodes where Mulder and Scully investigates cases of the 'supernatural' - dealing with monsters, vampires, weird creatures and other things that go 'bump' in the night.

While the first movie revolves around the whole 'alien mythology' arc, this one - as you might have guessed - deals with the 'monster-of-the-week' scenario. So, no aliens in this one.

"There's something bout tonight that's giving me the shivers..."

X-Files: I Want to Believe takes place roughly 5-6 years after the events of the series finale, where Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) have realized the truth that Earth is going to be attacked by aliens in the near future. Both of them, no longer working for the FBI, has been on the run and been keeping it low ever since. An unexpected event involving a missing FBI agent and a psychic by the name of Father Joe - has led Scully and Mulder out of hiatus - and so - a new case of the X-Files has begun...

Sad to say, this movie is quite disappointing. If you're not a fan, then probably you won't even like it a single bit. As far as I'm concerned, I'm quite thrilled just watching Mulder and Scully pairing up together for one last time. It's really great too see them together on the big screen again!
Chemistry just oozes from both of them, they look really natural on screen with each other - I guess being in a TV show for almost a decade certainly helps.

Back together once again.

If you have followed X-Files then you would probably understand a lot of the dialogues in the movie - a lot of them relates to what have happened in the series, so it's kinda cool that they touch abit on those issues (eg: Mulder's missing sister, Scully's skepticism, their relationship etc.)
Also, the re-appearance of a fan-favourite is a nice touch to spice up the show.

However, that's mostly all that's good about the movie. The story could have been much better - I totally dislike the whole hunting for a serial killer using a psychic theme. The only thing supernatural about the plot is the psychic. Lame. Chris Carter (the director) could and should have come out with a better script/plot than this! But I guess the major theme in the movie is very much rooted in the title of the movie - "I want to believe". This movie explores more on the characters' motivation and beliefs, questioning their faith and how they should go on with their lives when all seems lost.

Intimacy is always the best policy for these guys.

So yeah, to sum it up... if you're familiar with the whole X-Files universe, you definitely have to watch this. But if you're not - I honestly think you can skip this or just wait for the DVD to come out. As for me, 'I want to believe' that there's gonna be another X-Files movie to wrap everything up. But until then, the truth is out there. :D

Stars:
For believers = 3/5
For non-believers = 2/5

One for the fans: Wait 'til after the end credits and you can see Mulder and Scully (in a bikini) on a boat.. waving back to us. Sweet.