The X-Files ran for nine seasons on FOX from 1993 to 2002, and mainly detailed the exploits of FBI agents Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) as they investigated cases involving matters paranormal, extraterrestrial, or other topics familiar to listeners of the nationally syndicated, overnight radio program Coast to Coast AM.
I was introduced to the series in its second season (episode "Duane Barry") and became a fan who tuned in every week. The show went on to become a commercial and critical success. When Mulder was abducted in the finale of season seven, so was my interest. I gave up on season eight shortly after it started. I was familiar with the franchise but had no idea how matters ended, so I was surprised by a couple of items.
I Want To Believe is the second film in the franchise and, like in real time, takes place six years after the series finale, which likely would have been sooner if it hadn’t been for creator Chris Carter’s lawsuit against FOX over syndication issues. Rather than deal with the mythology of the series, it tells what is known as a “Monster of the Week” story. I viewed the extended cut of the film.
When an FBI agent disappears, Father Joe (Billy Connolly), a defrocked pedophiliac priest, claims he is getting visions from God and assists the agency. When Joe leads them to a clue, the lead agent on the case, Dakota Whitney (Amanda Peet), seeks out Mulder, who is a fugitive, to determine if Joe is a fraud. Scully is a hospital physician and she is contacted to assist in finding Mulder and offer him amnesty in exchange for his cooperation. Considering how easily Scully gets him, Mulder obviously wasn't really too high of a priority for them.
Since this is The X-Files, the viewer knows that when Mulder believes Joe and Scully doubts him, it signals Joe is telling the truth. Another familiar plot point is Scully going through another crisis of faith with her Catholicism as she works to save a very sick child named Christian. Her fight with Christian likely plays into some unmentioned abandonment issues she has over her son William, who she gave up for adoption. William only gets a very brief mention from Mulder, who may be the child's father, but then nothing is ever certain in The X-Files.
As more women disappear and the clues pile up, Mulder, Joe, and the FBI work to solve the case. Scully tries to stay out of it, but of course, she can’t. The case is solved, but there’s no explanation as to what was going on with Joe. His connection is revealed, but it and the kidnappings make no sense and seem poorly thought out.
[Skip this paragraph to avoid spoilers]
The women are being taken and killed so their bodies can be used for the transplanting of the head of Tomczeszyn, who is a man. If the viewer can get their own head around the idea of this major sex-change operation, what’s even more astounding is Joe is having these visions because he has a connection with Tomczeszyn. It turns out Tomczeszyn was one of the young boys Joe molested, yet Joe didn’t get visions related to other boys he molested, so apparently both God and screenwriters work in mysterious ways.
Article comments
1 - Mark
I understand this reviewer is not a fan of the X-files, despite the fact they watched it for a while. It shows in this review. While the movie was a disappointment to me (I had my sights set too high), I did generally like it. However, anyone reading this review would assume that the show itself was fairly bad and that the writers etc were lazy and the story lacked logic. This is not the case. Scully finds Mulder so fast because they live together...it isn't like she went out to find him and stumbled across him in the phone book. (and yes, the FBI isn't trying that hard to find him). And Mulder is William's father, but I would agree that such fact does not preclude there from being outside, probably alien, assistance. The writers did a fairly good job with the Mulder/Scully thing...the "Monster Story" needed some work.
2 - El Bicho
Mark, I am a fan of the first six seasons, but that doesn't mean I turn a blind eye to the series' faults. I disagree with a few of your points.
Towards the end of the series' run "the writers etc were lazy and the story lacked logic." The mythology was constantly altered throughout to keep viewers guessing and it appeared they were making it up as they went along. Plus after a while with all they had experienced, it became a little incredulous that Scully continued to doubt Mulder's theories.
"Scully finds Mulder so fast because they live together"
Yes, that was obvious, but I saw no need to spoil it for those who haven't seen the movie. It's not that the FBI wasn't looking too hard, they weren't looking at all. A trace on Scully's phone line would have uncovered him.
I know Mulder is supposed to be William's father, but that's until Carter tells you he isn't.
3 - Mary K. Williams
Mark - I don't know how you came to the conclusion that the reviewer was not a fan. Nor do I understand how this review implied that the regular series writers were lazy.
I tuned in on many a Friday night, and loved the show. I also enjoyed the first movie OK, it did answer some questions.
This second one though - not so much. I agree, it's fine as a stand-alone, just as there were many episodes that did not touch on the conspiracy theory/aliens plot.
I was not in a hurry to see it, because of the reviews, but I finally saw it this weekend - with the fan mindset. But I was put off by the heavy handed direction mostly. And I can't figure out Carter's fascination with shooting facial profiles. Too many noses on the screen!
I'd say it was so-so. Didnt' hate it, and it was great to see Mulder and Scully again - but nothing fantastic.