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That said, for those even aware of its existence, The X-Files : I Want To Believe will be a welcome cinematic return for two characters who single handedly paved the way for programs like Medium and Supernatural and films like Saw.
In
fact, from the moment Dana Scully and Fox Mulder enter their first
frame, you get the feeling that the "old school captains" are returning
to see how things have changed in their schoolyard: nostalgic, but
somewhat out of place.
The story itself, which has been kept
well under wraps since early 2003, bears little resemblance to the
first cinematic leap in the franchise. And while it makes sense to keep
some element of surprise for fans - what I will tell you is the story
is simple, self contained and almost underwhelming.
It will be this approach to the latest film, by creator Chris Carter, which will likely divide fans.
If you are going to wait 10 years for something new - shouldn't it be utterly amazing or jaw droppingly enriching?
I Want To Believe
plays out like any other self contained episode of the TV series - and
not one of the big episodes that tackle "the issue" we all...
believe... or hope it will - but something which would be thrown in
about week seven of a third or fourth season to fill in the gaps.
Perhaps
it is a sign of the times, because while whats on offer here is a
perfectly serviceable homicide investigation piece, it is nothing that
can't be seen (or done just as well or better) on a TV cop drama any
day of the week.
No real twist, no real revelation - just a race toward an inevitable conclusion.
The problem here is that it just seems like such a waste. If the aim is to lure in a new generation of X-Files fans, this probably isn't the story to do it.
It's
a good yarn, but not a great one. If it's a story to give true fans a
taste of the classics, then it might scrape by... barely.
What almost saves the film are the priceless dabs of information relating to everyone's favourite supernatural FBI agents.
David
Duchovny and Gillian Anderson are simply superb and slip back into
their routine like they never left. Duchovny is just brilliant (and
thankfully gets to work his under rated humour bone which so often goes
unrecognised by the industry), while Anderson is nothing short of
radiant.
Sadly, all character arc tidbits (which is undoubtedly
the major drawcard of the film) are weaved into the story so plainly,
even for a non X-Files fan
like myself the major revelations regarding their relationship (and
believe me when I say there are some MAJOR revelations) seem sort of
glossed over and far more anti-climactic than they should be.
They just seem to lack the weight they could have held.
If The X-Files : I Want To Believe
is an attempt to reboot the franchise and enable semi-regular sequels
(once every two years - not ten!) then this installment might not be a
total loss. But if it's the last hoorah - its about as fulfilling as a
custard tart without the custard.
Ultimately, it puts a lot of
pressure on viewers to vote with their feet, which is a mighty big ask
when you consider the big name Box Office competition it faces at
present.
The truth may be out there, but are the fans? DVD EXTRAS
The possibility of the third X-Files
movie was put on the back burner almost immediately after this flick
bombed at cinemas. Sure, it only cost them just over $30 million to
make - but it only took in $20 million at the US Box Office.
If
it wasn't for the rest of the world kicking it's overall tally to just
over $65 million - you could well expect anyone involved in the movie
being lucky to be hired for anything again. But word around the
grapevine is that a third might be on it's way for 2012... we'll just
have to keep an eye on that one.
But what was my point? That's
right - poor Box Office. As we all know, the less money a flick makes -
the less effort that is put into the special features.
Sure,
there are commentaries from Chris Carter, plus a few needless deleted
scenes and and interview with Carter on the positives of "Green
Production".
But what sort of X-Files fan (and let's face it, it will only be the die hards that buy this) would want to see the Xzibit clip for Dying To Live? He shouldn't even have appeared in the movie, let along lent his voice to the soundtrack.
A real waste.
Conclusion:
Movie 55% Extras: 50%
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