The X-Files: I Want to Believe (2008)

This much belated movie sequel to one of the more iconic series to come out of the 1990's, eschews much of the dense conspiratorial mythology that developed over the course of the show, and in its place offers us something akin to the programs more accessible ‘stand-alone’ episodes. After years in hiding former FBI Special Agent Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) is allowed to clear his name of old trumped up charges, in exchange for helping his former employer investigate the mysterious disappearance of another FBI agent. With the help of old partner and current flame Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) and a small core of agents lead by Amanda Peet, the team enters into an awkward alliance with Father Jake (Billy Connolly), a former pedophile priest who may be having visions of the missing agent. Such an arraignment has definite possibilities for dramatic tension but here they are executed only mediumly well. A lot of the plot feels like it could easily be rewritten as a non X-Files piece, a more traditional thriller, but I was still there with it in 3-out-of-5- land for most of the picture. Unfortunately what was intended to be the films shocking twist ended up simply seeming ridiculous, bad horror movie type stuff that squanders the good will generated by seeing two old favorites reteamed. Submitting to the impulse for a far to easy pun ‘I wanted to Believe’ in this X-Files movie, but I wouldn’t have respected this from an episode of the show and thus can’t countenance it from a theatrical film. Still I hope it succeeds well enough to justify a third film, because despite a paucity of evidence I have faith that a good movie is still out there. Two out of Five.