X-Files movie review - I Wanted to Believe

As a good lesbian geek I trotted off down to the local Cineplex with utter excitement at seeing Scully and Mulder reunited on screen. I felt a sort of sorrow for those that might catch this film having not seen The X-Files TV series. I was convinced this could work, all they had to do was stick to the formula. Sadly, someone seems to have misplaced the formula instructions.

Strange really given The X-Files: I Want To Believe was directed by it’s creator Chris Carter and co-written by Carter and right hand man Frank Spotnitz. It seems Carter forgot what the X-Files was about - strange phenomenon, the unexplained and government conspiracy. None of these pop up in the movie, in fact it's all a bit melodramatic and droll.

 

Scully was always a woman of faith, but this aspect of her character is overplayed to  a painful end. Mulder too is as egotistical and full of his own self-importance as ever and of course always right, regardless of the stupidity of the given situation. And herein lay The X-Files: I Want to Believe’s main misgiving; the entire situation belies belief and worse, seems concocted out of nothing, with no explanation as to why certain things occur. Even the unfolding story seems based on loads of convenient coincidence and the fact agents are always two minutes away from the next plot reveal, despite a whiteout in some cases.

 

X-Files: I Want to Believe isn't even an elongated episode of the TVseries we loved and grew to loathe; it can't be, because the main elements of the X-Files TV series aren't here. There's nothing shocking, nothing inexplicable that isn't so silly you don't believe it's possible for even a moment (ironic really given alien abduction seems far more likely than what's going on in the shed in this flick).

I will say that Gillian Anderson as Scully is a welcome return – despite the over exemplification of the role of faith in her life – it's like she never left. David Duchovny as Mulder is also like a well fitting suit. Amanda Peet – despite looking like she needs to eat a burger or 20 – is cool, but dumb in her role of Agent Whitney and Alvin Joiner aka 'Xzibit' is also suited but dumb in his role as Agent Drummy (remove the 'r' at will). Billy Connolly is great in the role of Father Crissman. Callum Keith Rennie – Leoben from Battlestar Galactica – plays Janke Dacyshyn and is a great actor  so it’s a shame the role sucked.

 

As for us queers, there's even some 'gay' content, but it's kind of annoying, you'll know why if you see the film (don't want to give away any of the plot).

So should you see it? If you love The X-files sure, just go on 'cheap Tuesday' (do they have those in the US and elsewhere?? Cheap ticket night!), you won't feel as ripped off. It's worth a discounted ticket price to see Mulder and Scully on screen again, just don't be expecting any UFO's, werewolves or little grey men.

Comments

[emm]

If by 'gay content' you mean, making gayness a contagion and, as another reviewer wrote, 'making of gay marriage a trope of horror' - and I'm talkin frankenstein quality horror here - then I can only scratch my head. My girlfriend and I wanted to vomit after this film, and she is an ex X Files freak.

[Tappu]

Yeah I was planning to see it when it came to the cheap theaters. Too bad it's been getting really bad reviews all over. I was actually excited about this film.

[Zefbot]

Disappointing and underwhelming (and boy is it showing at the box office).

[Sam]

I feel like I must have been living in a cave or something! ! I'm so "clueless" about X-files these days....it used to be my favorite shows years ago...lol lol I didn't know there was even a movie out! Show's how much TV or exposure I get , eh ? I just found your site from your sitersite "LG". Though I'm not a gamer per-say,I find the content quite interesting "really". I'm going to look around and see what else you galz are up to.

[LesbianGeek]

Hey Sam,
thanks for the kind words, always appreciated.
Hope you find something else of interest to you. :o)

[Fallen_Adalia]

Havent seen the movie yet, was going to but I'm not sure I want to anymore... either way this is a neat site, I'll be honest there was a girlish squee when I found it... I didnt know there were so many gamer girls out there like me! Specially any into some good old fashioned D&D, I'll have to book mark this site for sure.