Eric Stevenson
This sequel features Mulder being called out of retirement to work with Scully again to investigate the disappearances of a couple of FBI agents. They come across a former priest claiming to be psychic who can help them. The main problem with this film is that there's just no feeling of a big epic adventure. I didn't like the original movie but that at least gave us a bigger story. This once again played like a long episode of the show and not a particularly good one at that. There's this weird subplot where Scully obsesses over the priest psychic saying, "Don't give up".I don't know why she's so confused by this line. The acting, honestly isn't bad and it is nice to see these characters again. This takes place after the end of the show and doesn't in any way feel like a big finale, which is probably the biggest disappointment. It doesn't add up to anything big. I guess I appreciate how they were trying to be more philosophical by talking about religion. It's not terrible, but it's mostly pointless. **
zkonedog
When The X-Files officially left the airwaves in the spring of 2002, series creator Chris Carter wanted to spin the characters off into a series of films. I think he knew as well as anyone how sour of a note the show had ended on. Due to a number of different production factors, however, "I Want To Believe" didn't get made until 2008. By that time, the whole experience was going to need more context, and this movie doesn't care to provide it.For a basic plot summary, "I Want To Believe" begins with an FBI agent being abducted. The only clues to her whereabouts? Father Crissman (Billy Connolly), a disgraced former Catholic priest who supposedly has visions of the abduction. Since agents Whitney (Amanda Peet) and Drummy (Xhibit) don't know what to make of this guy, they contact Dr. Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson), now working at a Catholic charity hospital, to see if she has had any contact with one Fox Mulder (David Duchovny). Scully is indeed living with Mulder, who is offered an amnesty deal to clear his name if he helps the FBI solve the missing person's case. Mulder can't resist, of course, and as a result both he and Scully are sucked into a dark and terrifying case that pushes the boundaries of both science and medicine.By pretty much all accounts, "I Want To Believe" is roundly criticized as a very poor film. Upon this recent viewing, however, I came to appreciate parts of its central storyline better than when I first saw it in theaters. I don't want to give away too many spoilers, but there is a "Dr. Frankenstein"-esque plot that is truly terrifying and holds up well to spooky X-File cases of the past. The chemistry between Mulder and Scully is better than it was at the end of the TV episodes, and it is kind of fun seeing Scully get to be an actual doctor to real, live people (something we never saw on the show).Sadly, those tiny glimmers of hope only raise this to a two-star film. It isn't going any higher. The reasons? It just makes too many questionable (i.e. stupid) decisions to ever let the whole project get off the ground. For example...-There is no context given between the end of the show and the beginning of this movie. Mulder is supposed to be on the run from the FBI, yet he lives with Scully and would be very easy to find. This is never explained. I realize that CC wanted this to be a standalone movie and not related to the over-arching mythos of the show, but it needed a bit more context than nothing. You can't just ignore previous events like that. -There are too many other distractions going on. The arc about Father Crissman takes up a majority of the film's first half, but then is pretty much dropped until a nice piece of dues ex machina at the very end. There are also many references to religion, stem cells, and the Catholic church in general, making it seem like CC was just trying to throw a whole bunch of modern-day issues at viewers to see what would stick. Only the "Frankenstein" angle works, though, but sadly that only really heats up in the last 20 or so minutes of the film. -Even when the movie does try to make references to the show, it usually fails miserably. There is a scene where Samantha Mulder (Fox's abducted sister) is discussed that makes very little sense in illustrating the point that is trying to be made. A hollow name drop, in other words, instead of an organic plot point. It's telling that only Walter Skinner (Mitch Pileggi) joins Mulder and Scully from the old days on the show, as the writers had written all other plots/characters into a corner that this standalone had no use for them.Overall, "I Want To Believe" was a well-meaning concept that just fizzles for far too many reasons. it makes questionable contextual decisions, it has an interesting plot but chooses to meander, and it is unable to capture that sense of spookiness that the early seasons of the TV show possessed (at least until the final few minutes). While, on a second viewing, viewers may not feel quite as betrayed as they likely did the first go-round back in '08, there aren't nearly enough positives to even make it an "okay" film. The potential was present, but ended up getting dragged down in the minutiae and lack of clear focus.
Eddie Cantillo
The X-Files: I want To Believe (2008) Starring: David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Amanda Peet, Billy Connolly, and Alvin "Xzbit" Joner Directed By: Chris Carter Review To Find The Truth You Must Believe O my god, I don't understand why fans of the show don't like this movie because I love it! Most fans of the show don't like this movie because it wasn't about aliens. And for them I have one question, who gives a crap! The show was never about aliens it was about the paranormal in general hell we didn't even see an alien until like what season four or even the first movie, plus it mostly centered on Mulder and Scully's relationship investigating the paranormal. The film is about our two agents Mulder and Scully being called for help on the FBI for a case with a series of unexplained murders with a man who is having visions. Scully is being tested with both her faith in God and science because of this man as she tries to save a boy she is nursing and save Mulder. The film does have a plot that is very interesting, because it keeps you shrouded in mystery and you never what's coming until the end. I would also like to point that it was half of the time Scully who needed the saving throughout most of the show and in the last movie. I won't spoil the ending but it's a great send off to the case. The cast and the performances from this movie were utterly good and joining our famous agents we love so much were cast members Amanda Peet, Alvin "Xzbit" Joner and Billy Connolly who I found too be good as well, especially Billy and Amanda they stood out most when it came to new characters. The movie is more in tone with the "Monster of the Week" episodes from the series and those were always my favorite. One about a man who could control electrical items, fire, a kid who made his fears come to life and my favorite a fast food clerk who was an ancient creature eating brains. A big question is answered for both Mulder and Scully in this movie do they believe or do they just want to believe? I was introduced to The X-Files by a good review for this movie and when I found the show on Netflix and the chronological order of the movies and where they came in between the shows I watched it all just to get to here and it's been a blast. And I have grown to love all the characters from the series. Nothing more for me to say to say can't for the mini series, hope after that they make a third movie and screw the haters of this movie because I'm giving The X-Files: I Want To Believe a five out of five.
Patrick Troen
Watched this movie several years ago in the movie theatre and I thought this movie was good. It fits in like one of the older murder mystieries episodes of x files.For people who watched the x files they would remember one episode is ufo's and then the next one is a murder mystery. This one fittingly is the 2nd one and that was equally as strong in the show.I think some people who went and saw it would think this should be a TV episode but it worked well on the big screen.Casting was good and the ending was good. I hope we see more X files movies in the future. This franchisie deserves 3-4 more movies.
