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"The X-Files: I Want to Believe" Review

by Jane Boursaw on July 26th, 2008

After waiting six years for this movie, I have a feeling that X-Files fans will be sorely disappointed. While it’s nice seeing Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny share screen space again, I would describe this movie as a slow-paced crime thriller, whereas I was expecting more paranormal/alien/creature elements. And I’m surprised about this, because Chris Carter, the magic behind the TV series, surely must have known what fans of the show would want.

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The film re-connects the two stars of the TV series, which ran from 1993 to 2002 (there was also a theatrical movie, The X-Files, in 1998). They worked together in the FBI solving paranormal cases. Dana Scully (Anderson) is now working as a doctor in a Catholic hospital. She’s focused on a difficult case involving a boy with a rare brain disease.

Fox Mulder (Duchovny) is a recluse now, holed up in a remote cabin with pictures and newspaper clippings of paranormal phenomena covering the walls. We also see a brief photo of his sister, Samantha, who disappeared as a child.

The disappearance of an FBI agent brings the pair together again. Agent Dakota Whitney (Amanda Peet) brings in Mulder to help with the investigation, which centers around a convicted-pedophile priest (Billy Connolly), who’s having psychic visions of the agent’s disappearance. Agent Mosley Drummy (Alvin “Xzibit” Joiner) is also on hand to organize the team.

I wasn’t a regular viewer of the TV series, although did catch an episode here and there. My nephew, who sat next to me in the theater, is an avid X-Files fan, so I had the benefit of his history with the show.

Still, there were elements of the movie that I think only apply to those who watched the TV series. I went in hoping it would be a stand-alone story, and while they did explain a lot, there were still things about which I was in the dark.

For example, Walter Skinner (Mitch Pileggi), who worked with Mulder and Scully in the TV series, shows up. But since I didn’t know who he was, his appearance in the movie meant nothing to me.

Also, the complicated relationship of Mulder and Scully provides much of the storyline. In short, there was a lot of discussion about faith and belief and facts and evidence. I knew enough about their backstory to piece it together, but if someone went in totally clueless, they probably would have found the movie slow and tedious. My 13-year-old son falls into that category.

I agree with my nephew, who called the movie a “quiet thriller that one has to have patience for, or a good reason to keep watching (like being a fan of the show).” I did love the haunting theme song, which was woven into the movie here and there. Also, the frozen landscape of snow and ice is beautifully bleak.

According to the final episode, the full alien invasion will begin in 2012. As my nephew said, the alien/government storyline needs a proper conclusion, and we’re both hoping for a third movie installment.

Note: Stay through the credits.

Note to Parents: This movie is rated PG-13 for violent and disturbing content and thematic material. I won’t give away too much, but let’s just say that it nudges close to an R rating because of the grisly and disturbing content, including severed body parts.

Images: The X-Files: I Want to Believe, 20th Century-Fox Film Corp., 2008

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