X-Files: I Want to Believe is the new film from Director and X-Files creator, Chris Carter. The story picks up with Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) working at a hospital and trying to find a cure for a very sick boy. The FBI contacts Scully in hopes that she might re-connect with Fox Mulder (David Duchovny). The FBI seeks his help in a bizarre case of a missing agent, with the only clue being an apparent psychic connection between a mysterious old man and the missing FBI agent.

Let me just get to the point quickly, bad movie. It’s unfortunate and disappointing that a mythology with such a rich, deep and interesting history can fall so flat. It’s my sincere hope that this is the last we’ll see of this storyline. It’s really unfortunate, I’m a fan of the old series and I really liked the first film, this is just a desperate attempt to hold on to the past.

The story, is constantly trying too hard. It often felt like something interesting was about to happen, but it never does. It felt like I was watching a run-of-the-mill, detective show on TV. No surprising plot twists here, no big cinematic moments, no intrigue. Most of the movie we are expected to just go with the story between Mulder and Skully, and even that feels clunky and awkward. Their interactions are pretty genuine, but the story itself sucks the life out of the relationship. This is a very drab, grim, and mundane movie-going experience. Sure it’s serious subject matter, but a little humor here and there would have made this film seem a little less oppressive. I was anxious for it to end from about twenty minutes in, and the film is 1 hour and 40 minutes long.

The performances were what you might expect for the most part, Duchovny and Anderson are good at their characters, but they are in such a horrible script it’s hard to connect with them. Billy Connolly plays the old man, and does an adequate job, nothing groundbreaking here. The same can be said for Amanda Peet playing the FBI agent heading up the investigation on the case, nothing special. Xzibit plays the other agent on the case, I didn’t realize it was him during the film, but every time he said a line it felt awkward and uncomfortable. He should not be acting, he should really stick to the music.

Visually this film is as bleak and colorless as the story. Snow, snow and more snow. It looks like an episode of the TV show, in a bad way. 35mm film should be used for more visually appealing compositions and artistry.

It’s been ten years since the last film and six years since the series finally went off the air. This attempt to make a compelling or thrilling film falls short of the mark in so many ways. I suggest you don’t see this film. If you are an X-Files fan, there may be no stopping you, but you will be disappointed. If you aren’t an X-Files fan, please don’t waste your time. Go rent X-Files: Fight the Future, a far better film in the beloved franchise.

-Nick Wolfwood

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