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.
I found I Want To Believe unsatisfying. It was basically an average two-hour episode on the big screen, and try as I may, I no longer care about Mulder and Scully. Hardcore fans, known as X-philes, might be happy to learn about the characters’ further adventures together, but if you haven’t given much thought to the pair since the series has been cancelled, there’s nothing here to warrant your attention.
Presented in a widescreen 2.40:1 aspect ratio, the video looked fantastic, especially the wide-open spaces outside of Vancouver where they shot. The blacks have depth, and it is used a lot by the cinematographer and the production design team. The skin tones stayed consistent throughout. A sequence of Mulder running through the city streets was shot on an HD camera and it fit in seamlessly with the rest of the film. I was only aware because it was talked about in the extras.
The 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio on the other hand was so terribly mixed I had to change the volume throughout, which takes away from the involvement in the film. After the booming effects and dialogue of the prologue, I needed to turn the audio up to hear the dialogue. When they whispered, it was a lost cause and the scene had to be replayed — one of the worst I have experienced on Blu-ray.
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.