X-Files - I Want To Believe (1-Disc Edition) [DVD]

As with most people, I though that this would have a lot more weirdness and action. Then again, I was so confused by the ending of series 9, that I'll need to see it again to work out exactly what Mulder was fighting about, apart from "I believe and lots of people don't and they lied about it". So this film was like putting on an old pair of slippers. You don't expect much but they're comfortable. I wanted to say that Billy Connolly was excellent, but in fact he was not really given anything to get his teeth into. We had one scene between him and Scully where he questions the fact that paedophiles (well, the ones who ask for treatment, that is) medically dose themselves to fight off urges which are beyond their control. So if these urges are beyond their control, they come from....where? It would have been interesting to have had some debate between the god believer and the ex-priest (to whom the phrase "I want to believe" could also be applied), when he is now embittered by his relationship with god, but no. That spluttered out.

Why has Mulder got a beard? Tired cliche this, "I'm going to do something radical until the moment when I 'become' the character the fans have tuned in to see". Either have a beard or don't have one, show your transformation through acting instead.

"Don't give up" - very un-Scully like to have her giving up. She doesn't need people she doesn't believe in to say that to her, she's been through far more without giving up.

Not a lot of humour, shame, the Mulder quips are a little like hearing the same joke for the twentieth time. I only laughed at the pause before "Now I can't sleep".

I did cheer at the appearance of the only "Person at the FBI with balls". Too short an appearance.

So, it holds the attention, there's quite a bit of familiarity, but it also suffers a bit from trying to stay within the 'culture'. Example : Mulder and Scully are together because....Scully can't find anyone? Mulder is hiding. OK. Much more interesting would be to have Scully in a new relationship and Mulder in hiding but then realising that the FBI have moved on. He's less news-worthy than the threat of terrorism.

I'd advise you watch this one first, and then decide if you want to add it to the collection.

When Chris Carter revealed the first footage from the new X-Files movie at this year's Comi-Con Festival 2008 in San Diego accompanied by stars David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson, it was greeted with crowds of hysteria by the festival's visitors. It showed Billy Connolly rushing through the deep snow atop a frozen lake, an FBI search team equipped with helicopters and Alsatians following behind him. He would drop to his knees and cry..."Its Here!.....Here!.....it's Here!". Great stuff I can tell you, and certainly enough to get you very excited about the prospect of the new movie.

Indeed, it's very appealing to see Duchovny and Anderson back on the screen together after 6 years since the show aired it's final episode. The X-Files show was always of a high quality, and the first X-Files movie, released in '95, was also very well produced. The same can be said this time. X-Files creator Chris Carter, making his feature debut, has put together a very detailed and original story for our intrepid heroes to unravel. This time around the story has nothing to do with the alien mythology: the thread that ran through the core of the series. Here we have a stand-alone mystery enabling those who've never seen the series to enjoy and appreciate what the X-Files was all about. This was a wise move by the creator. That it has been 6 years since the show finished, it is also entirely possible that there is a whole new audience that may not have even heard of the show - and therefore, may have been completely indifferent to Chris Carter serving up another round of his alien invasion conspiracy.

So.....Just what exactly is this new adventure about? The production has been shrouded in secrecy since its inception with even the actors somewhat in the dark regarding the movie's script and story - and this is perhaps the first opportunity for a reviewer to identify where the problems with this picture may lie. The idea of keeping plot details secret was a marketing masterstroke during the heights of the show's popularity, compelling the audience to tune in to find out more. Everyone wanted to learn of the phenomena that Mulder and Scully were investigating each week. But 6 years after the show ended??!! There is not the same level of interest in Mulder and Scully anymore, and during a recent visit to the cinema to see another movie, I heard several very audible groans from the audience when the trailer for this movie was shown. You cannot employ the same marketing tactics for this movie that you used six or seven years ago! It just won't work! Audiences are just not as interested in the X-Files as much as they used to be. And the marketing department at Fox Pictures should have known this! There is also a certain amount of mis-direction with regards to the content of the picture. The film is trailered to suggest that Mulder and Scully will be hunting down some kind of terrible creature or beast, some kind of mutant human - possibly a werewolf. But this is absolutely not what you get! Don't misunderstand me, I am a big fan of the X-Files and very much in favour of being surprised when I go to the cinema. But by the end of the first act, when it becomes apparent what the film is really about, you will very likely be disappointed. Fox Pictures obviously realised this in advance and had the movie marketed as a horror.

Another problem with the picture is the release date. Why open a slightly macabre movie like The X-Files, which may be obscure to some, during the height of the summer season only one week after the most long-awaited picture of the year: The Dark Knight? Given the film's subject matter it would have been more suited to a late September release, or perhaps October. The story is set during the dead of winter showing FBI search teams wrapped up in thick insulated coats struggling through blizzards. To release the film during the summer was completely inappropriate, when audiences prefer to see fun popcorn blockbusters drenched in sunshine.

To give the movie it's due; it is very well made, well acted and well directed. But the film's main problem is that it comes across as a very straightforward FBI/Police procedural: competently put together but nothing spectacular - perhaps an illustration of the movie's relatively tight budget (approximately $30 million), quite low for a studio picture. But there is still much to enjoy; Mulder and Scully's relationship developed to the point where they are now sleeping together, and thankfully, being honest with each other. Their more intimate moments are quite affecting, and there is a very emotional sub-plot with Scully (now a Doctor) battling to cure a terminally ill child at the medical facility where she works. The supporting cast also do well; Amanda Peet and rapper Alvin `Xzibit' Joiner feature as other FBI agents on the hunt for a missing colleague, and finally; (Yay!) Mitch Pileggi appears in the final act as Assistant Director Walter Skinner, adding a bit of excitement to proceedings as Scully struggles through the snow whilst trying to locate a missing Mulder.

The DVD is released in both a single disc and double disc format. Both versions available are Chris Carter's Director's Cut. The Single Disc edition has the movie and a few trailers. The 2 Disc Edition is packed to the brim with numerous documentaries and featurettes. It is also equipped with a Digital Copy of the film for you to download to your relevant ipod media etc.

In conclusion: a well made but slightly underwhelming drama. Roll-on the next alien invasion movie!

Six years since the exploits of Mulder and Scully came to an end after nine seasons. The second movie propels x-files into darker territory leaving alien conspiracy's on the back burner for a standalone adventure.

We catch up with Mulder and Scully now living together in a secluded house as Mulder browses newspaper articles looking for unexplained phenomenon and Scully has become a doctor at a catholic run hospital caring for a terminally ill boy when she is approached by the FBI, looking for Mulder to consult on a case, a female FBI agent has disappeared and a convicted paedophile priest father Joe claims to be having visions leading the FBI closer to their missing agent, Mulder reluctantly joins the search which leads to a grisly conclusion.

The X-files: I want to believe has received rather mixed reviews as a fan of the show I found it rather enjoyable but this doesn't seem to be the case with everyone. The x-files isn't a big flashy summer blockbuster its a grim mystery thriller. It goes back to its routes when the darker episodes lay rather than the more comedic centred episodes some of the later seasons took

It takes a very different tone from the first film, in an attempt to market it to a wider audience but it remains a largely fans only affair retaining classic X files flavour, on the whole the movie is about faith as both lead characters have their beliefs tested in search for the truth and it comes across the screen in a compelling form.

Duchovony and Anderson slip back into their roles with ease, the relationship between them starting as complete but as the movie progresses it threatens to tear itself apart as the pairs beliefs clash.
The chemistry between the two stars is still ever present as they play off each other well be it their romantic relationship or their conflicting theories. Their relationship is a key part of the movie which x files fans will get more out of than casual viewers, when together they remind us what made the pair so watch able all those years ago.

Billy Connelly gives a good performance as the priest,he portrays a man who is loathsome of himself praying to god for forgiveness while also blaming the almighty for his despicable urges convinced his visions are sent by god to help absolve him of his sins, a complex character handled well by Connelly

Xzibit and Amanda Peet join the cast as FBI agents leading the the manhunt these characters only are there to advance the plot and they are developed little. For example agent Drummy (Xzibit) dislikes Mulder and his beliefs but its never explained why. The two characters are very constricted always remaining as background players.

The only other familiar face to reappear is Walter Skinner towards the end of the movie while only present for a few scenes its great to see him back again helping Scully tracking an AWOL Mulder, it livens up the pace as the movie reaches its climax.

While a stand-alone movie there's still titbits for the fans to pick up on references to William, the poster in Mulder's room,call backs to the series various villains such as 'pusher', generally little bits but is pleasing for fans but will most likely be lost on others.

On the whole the x files: IWTB is a satisfying addition to the franchise the pace can occasionally lag (Scully's terminal patient sub plot) its light on action and can feel a bit underwhelming in a summer of blockbusters but the magic's still there between the stars the story is a spine tingling absorbing mystery and its great to see the pair back in action. It's enough to Believe again- 7/10

Note- just to clear up any confusion this is actually a 3 disc set
disc 1- The movie
disc 2- Bonus features
disc 3- Digital copy