The X-Files: I Want To Believe D
Starring: David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, and Billy Connolly
Directed by Chris Carter (The X-Files)
Rated PG-13 for violent and disturbing content and thematic material
Appropriate for ages 13+
The Story: Many years after the events of the first X-Files movie (I don’t remember those events either), Fox Mulder (Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Anderson) are brought on by the FBI to try to solve another mysterious case. An FBI agent has disappeared, and a former catholic priest and pedophile (Connolly) is able to telepathically lead the FBI to evidence surrounding her kidnapping and the kidnapping of other victims as well.
The Good: I used to be a big X-Files fan back in it’s day. I even named my Golden Retriever Scully. One of the things that I loved most about the show was Duchovny’s great line delivery. He is such a talented actor and is almost always enjoyable to watch. Even when the script goes south, when Fox opens his mouth, you can’t help but snicker. I also enjoyed Connelly’s performance as well. He has the guilt-ridden pedophile priest down cold.
The Bad: First off, was their a need for a new X-Files movie? And if there was, shouldn’t it surround something more grand than this? While the overall premise here is as weird as the original show, the film itself should have been nothing more than made-for-TV movie. There is nothing here that says “Wow – this is a great story – let’s go spend 35 million dollars t make it!” The script is just plain awful and aside from Duchovney and Connelly, the acting is atrocious. Actor/rapper Xzibit is bad enough to take you out of the film every time his face graces the screen. Maybe he needs to concentrate a bit more on his music, because I don’t see any trace of talent here.
And what about that title? I Want To Believe? It is hard for me to believe that this didn’t make the suits at Fox cringe. I know it made me automatically assume that this movie was not going to be a serious attempt at renewing the X-Files mythology.
The Summary: While the weirdness of the story might make some super fans happy, the majority will dismiss this as a complete waste of theater space.
