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Movie Review for The X-Files: I Want to Believe (2008)
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Review #664 of 365 Movie Review of The X-Files: I Want to Believe (2008) [PG-13] 100 minutes WIP™ Scale: $9.25 Where Viewed: Regal Cinemas Continental 10, Denver, CO When Seen: 25 July 2008 Time: 12:01 am DVD Release Date: 2 December 2008 (click date to purchase or pre-order) Soundtrack: Download now from - or - order the CD below
Directed by: Chris Carter ("The X-Files") Written by: Frank Spotnitz ("The X-Files") • Chris Carter ("The X-Files") based on the television show "The X-Files" by Chris Carter
Well, first things "X-Files" fans are going to want to know is, should they see this second movie. Toward that end, at mEd.com we are piloting a new concept called 2cOrNot2c. This new feature will allow anyone to skip reading a review and simply read a series of bullet point statements as to whether or not certain people should or should see a film, why to see or not to see it, etc. Note: there may be spoilers. Click (here) to try it out. Honestly though, "X-Files" fans will probably see the movie regardless. It's hard to see, though, how the film will have appeal beyond those fans. Meanwhile, it's plum difficult to admit that "X-Files" fans are not only destined to be disappointed, they are going to be positively perplexed how the genius of Chris Carter got turned into this pretty awful movie and why David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson agreed to reprise their roles for the film—without which it most likely never would have been made. No quick outline of the plot will be given here. For that, visit the . Instead, let's get to the heart of the matter, because the plot is just plain boring. Well, that's cruel. Ok, it's not more interesting than a sub-par episode of the third "Law & Order: spin-off meshed with some elements of the third "CSI" spin-off with Mark Snow music. The story might have been kind of good 20 to 30 years ago, it's hard to say.
…other than seeing Fox and Dana together again on-screen, there's not much of a good reason to see this film…
But, today's front page is more diabolical and interesting. Upon considering every single episode of "The X-Files" the show, I cannot think of an episode that would surpass this movie plot on the dull scale. How good was this show? It was so good! This film didn't live up to any of the "X-Files" benchmarks. It wasn't spooky, it wasn't scary, it didn't delve into the paranormal (really). Terrible. And for people who were never fans of the show which reached its hey-day a decade or more ago, it's nearly impossible to imagine what they'd get out of this film other than more proof that people who like "The X-Files" are collectively cuckoo. It's too bad, also, because Chris Carter's amazing, and for what they are able to do with this perturbing and mostly awful story, David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson do pretty good jobs of reviving their long frozen characters. They seem like they are back in the good old days. They still have awesome on-screen chemistry. Neither seems like he or she's aged a day. Their characters are intact completely. As for the acting, there's no obvious difference between how they portrayed them now vs. the first season. Unfortunately, Chris Carter's and Frank Spotniz's story just doesn't given them very much interesting stuff to do. The infamous duo is joined by Amanda Peet playing an over-zealous ASAC agent, Billy Connolly playing a former Priest with visions of kidnapped victims and their locations, Xzibit as a mostly unhelpful and unbelievable FBI agent, and Callum Keith Rennie as the bad guy with 'noble' intentions? None of this characters nor portrayals rises above the ordinary though Mr. Connolly does a very believable job.
When all is distilled down, really, other than seeing Fox and Dana together again on-screen, there's not much of a good reason to see this film even if you're a die-hard fan. It might better have been titled, "X-Files: I'm in Complete Disbelief".
Review-lite The X-Files: I Want to Believe (2008) [max of 150 words]
Unfortunately, die-hard "The X-Files" fans, the film might better have been called "X-Files: I'm in Utter Disbelief about How Bad this Movie Is". Mulder and Sculley reunite to find a kidnapped FBI agent the bureau feels will die if not found in a few days. Their only lead is a former Priest charged with many counts of child abuse from back in the day, who claims he's getting visions from God to direct him to victims of heinous crimes. If anyone can figure out what Chris Carter was thinking with this plot, let them post away here. The film is flat out terrible.
2cOrNot2c sounds like a great concept. Kind of a brief pros/cons of the movie summed up to give instant viewing yea or nay. sounds useful. Also, I totally forgot about this 2nd x-files. zero marketing for it. I haven't seen it (and based on your review, likely won't lol) but do you think you were too harsh "it wasn't scary, it wasn't spooky" by comparing it to the first x-files or the high quality plots of other x-files episodes, or was it just all around pretty lame? Thanks!
Do you like voting on movies? Visit our sister site, 2cOrNot2c.net to vote in the Winter 2009 Great Movie Poll where you can weigh in on all the major releases as "See Them" or "Don't".
- or - order the CD below
1 comment:
2cOrNot2c sounds like a great concept. Kind of a brief pros/cons of the movie summed up to give instant viewing yea or nay. sounds useful. Also, I totally forgot about this 2nd x-files. zero marketing for it. I haven't seen it (and based on your review, likely won't lol) but do you think you were too harsh "it wasn't scary, it wasn't spooky" by comparing it to the first x-files or the high quality plots of other x-files episodes, or was it just all around pretty lame? Thanks!
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