The X Files: I Want to Believe (2008) September 7, 2008
Posted by gproject in : Cinema, Recently Viewed , trackbackDirected by: Chris Carter
Returning to a series as seminal as The X Files should bring with it a sense of purpose and meaning, yet this seemingly standalone instalment arrives as more a product of timing than anything else. Lead actors were willing, series creators were interested, Vancouver was open for business, and six years since the TV show ended had left a void that was, apparently, waiting to be filled. But without real impetus or reason, isn’t this just a supernatural thriller trading on the X Files name? Quite possibly, and yet there’s still something very watchable about it.
This particular ‘X-File’ takes place in rural Virginia, where women are mysteriously going missing on a regular basis. The only lead the FBI has is a disgraced priest, who claims to have psychic visions of the women. His supposed ability seems to herald results, but not without scepticism from those working on the case. And so, ex-paranormal agents Mulder and Scully are dragged back into the thick of an investigation, using their vast experience to find out one more time, if the truth is really out there.
What X Files mastermind Chris Carter has done here essentially boils down to a ‘Monster of the Week’ storyline with some extra time for Mulder and Scully to pontificate about their rather fragile relationship. On paper, it’s not the best outline for a feature-length return, 
yet its finished form is more entertaining than you might think. Firstly, the fantastical element of the story develops itself quite nicely, dropping question marks as it goes and instilling the plotline with a nice sense of mystery. It never feels ‘important’, like the best mythology episodes of the series, but Carter has no problem making throwaway content that holds your interest.
His script is a little ponderous at times and there are moments where inspiration seems lacking, especially during the conclusion which, in both story and thriller terms, is quite flat and comes as a bit of a disappointment. Yet there are some rewarding parts too - scenes that see Scully fight a cause outside of the investigation and have her battling her internal scepticism, are among the most effective. Where things eventually fall down is through the loose tying of its two storylines, and a role for Mulder that sees him do little outside of be his usual self.
It’s character issues like this that highlight the rather weak links between I Want To Believe and the rest of the X Files universe. In all honesty, this would have been a perfectly acceptable thriller even without the well-known characters and six-note whistle. We are told enough to understand that there is a history between the leads, and as only a casual watcher of the series, I had little problem catching up on the few past events that were mentioned. Sure, there are some sly references for fans to pick up, but shouldn’t a six-year wait hold more for The X Files most dedicated followers?
The biggest coup, of course, is the return of David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson in their career-defining roles as Fox Mulder and Dana Scully. Both have gone on to have solid careers, and I’ve especially enjoyed Duchovny’s performances in both the good and the mediocore. Each actor falls neatly back into character and there’s certainly a credibility to their relationship that exudes from years of working so closely. Holding the supporting roles are Amanda Peet as a trusting FBI agent, Xzibit as an untrusting FBI agent, and Billy Connolly as the visionary, paedophile priest (yes, you read that correctly).
I Want To Believe has struggled at the box office, maybe a little undeservingly so, but with no real draw for fans outside of a quick catch up with Mulder and Scully, it was never going to be enough to drag people back into theatres. Its biggest mistake comes down to the fact that it doesn’t escape the ‘extended episode’ accusation that is so easily attributable to feature films upgraded from TV shows. If there’s one saving grace, it’s the involvement of Chris Carter, who still has the ability to spin an interesting yarn, even though he’s the only one with the belief that his characters alone can hold the whole thing together.
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