The X-Files: I Want to Believe User Reviews

If you were a fan of the series The X-Files, you will surely know that often the scariest things are what you are never shown, and ultimately, sometimes what you can never see because they are within you. This movie speaks to these fears, and at the heart of it all this time around stands Doctor Dana Scully. X-Files fans everywhere would cheer at the thought, but that being said, if you have never seen the show, this movie still has a lot to offer if you enjoy a movie that gives you action, darkness and romance, without dumbing anything down. This movie does what a lot of other recent entertainment has neglected to do. It lets you think.Scully, who has always tried to cling to her Catholic faith, has her trust in God challenged and the rock of the foundation of her relationship with her former FBI partner, Fox Mulder, shaken to its core. Shot in vast, frozen landscapes, with a villian more psychopath and less alien, less paranormal than some might expect, the film plays like a good, old-fashioned, scary movie. There are plenty of 'gross' moments, but, as it has always been in the X-Files, most of it is not thrust in your face, but planted, like a seed of an idea to form in your thoughts as you sit, wide eyed and waiting, to see what happens next. Chris Carter, creator or the X-Files, gives us here a logical look at where the couple would be at the present time, six years since we last saw them on the small screen. His attempt is well thought out and he remains steadfastly true to the characters and the X-Files universe he created. Mulder and Scully are as beautifully tragic and humanly imperfect as ever. They do not gloss over or deny their past--which would have been a great disservice to loyal fans--and David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson prove they are still capable of bringing their now famous, other-worldly connection to the table. We are treated to the smoldering looks and hints of sexuality that kept the series going all those years, but again Carter trusts us enough to know that this seed, too, grows best in the warm, dark soil of his audiences' minds and hearts.To catch even just another glimpse of these characters is almost enough to satisfy the show's steadfast fans. Almost, because this dedicated group is known to be largely intelligent and highly opinionated. For this movie to be a success, it needed to stand alone as a story, but pay honest homage to the place and people from which it came. They had to nail it.They did just that.I left the movie satisfied, but wanting more. My mind was ticking. It felt like many Sunday nights, once upon a time when I'd hang on until the final "I Made This" that marked the end of the show's credits. (Speaking of which, if you see this movie, you'll probably want to stay until the end of the credits.) We might never be so lucky as to get a show that nails it week after week quite as well as The X-Files did, but I dare to hope there will be more movies like this to come.

07/26/2008, 10:50 am

It was a lot different than I expected.After thinking about it though, I really appreciated it. It was nice to not be bashed over the head with special effects and blowing up buildings and cars for a change. You were able to use your brain. The relationship between Mulder and Scully was what drove the film, and I would definately see more X-files movies.

07/27/2008, 3:53 pm

Coming from a true x-file addict, this was terrible. only the fact that Duchovny & Anderson starred in this I would have given it a 0 or a 1. I didn't even consider the plot an x-file. I honestly think I could have written a better screen play, with a better plot, true to the x-files. Where were all the other characters, so essential to the x-files. Even if the two FBI agents were Doggett and Reyes. So disappointing. Unfortunately, this will probably doom all further X-files projects, when it could have been a stepping stone.

07/26/2008, 8:45 am

sucks sucks sucks

08/02/2008, 6:03 pm

Awful. Waste of time. I am going to see Dark Knight, again, to get this out of my mind. If you are a true X-Files fan . . . you will be disappointed. I am being generous with giving it two stars.

07/25/2008, 4:36 pm

This is a thinking person's movie; just like so many of the X-files TV episodes were. There are so many layers to the story. Please don't go to the theater thinking that you'll get space ships and big actions. It's a mature, down-to-earth thriller, love story, a story about love, beliefs, faith, and redemption.

07/29/2008, 2:36 pm

After seeing this movie yesterday, I felt pretty much the same, it was ok, it was not quite creepy enough, etc., but after given time to digest what I saw I realize that this was a very good movie. The series was about the relationship between Mulder and Scully, and this movie is no exception to that. Instead of black oil and aliens, we are treated to an old style mystery movie. I'll let no more of the plot out than that. I highly reccomend reading Roger Eberts review on this page, he nailed it on the head.

07/28/2008, 9:14 pm

Just saw this movie and thought it was just OK. Seemed like a weak drawn out episode more than a movie. Definetly not a closure of the X-Files. I think if it was alot scarier and more intense, it would have been better.P.S. To some of you user reviewers: Whether you liked it or didn't like it, try not to give away any major plot secrets or twists when writing a review. Why spoil it for others?

07/28/2008, 4:19 pm

LOVED IT LOVED IT LOVED IT! If you're an x-files fan don't miss it....especially if you loved the relationship of Mulder and Scully, That's really what the movie is about. And DON'T get up before the credits finish!!!

07/27/2008, 2:39 pm