- Title: The X-Files: I Want to Believe
- IMDB: link
The abduction of one of their own and arrival of a psychic (Billy Connolly) on the scene leads Agent-in-Charge Dakota Whitney (Amanda Peet) to ask for the help of a former member of the bereau with experience in the paranormal.
Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson), now a brain surgeon, is asked to bring in her former partner from the wilderness. Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) is living like a hermit cutting clippings of unexplained activity out of newspapers. Reluctant at first, he agrees under the condition Scully comes with him.
Fans of the show should feel right at home here in terms of tone, mood, and storytelling. Those unfamiliar with the mythology of the show should still able to follow the events, though you may miss some of the layers of the film, and specific moments added just for fans.
I was never a big fan of the show, although the episodes I did see were well done, I just never connected with its bizarre nature and subject matter. Much like the show the film includes good acting, storytelling, and a fair amount of teasing about the bizarre and inexplicable, along with some really disturbing subject matter. The movie is the same, in fact it feels very much like a special two-part episode of the series.
Much like the show the film plays with the possibility of the paranormal and supernatural, Mulder’s unwavering search, and Scully’s scepticism. The film also includes a subplot involving Scully’s patient and the struggle between faith and science. Although it creates an interesting point of debate it never really pays off, though the story does find ways to interweave it into the main plot of the film.
I wouldn’t call this a great film, but those who enjoyed the original TV-show more than I will have much more to sink their teeth into. Is it worth your time? If you are a die-hard fan yes, otherwise you might want to look around for something else in which to believe.