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| X-Files, The: I Want to Believe |
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  (2/10)
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Runtime: 105 |
| Public Rating: 5.33 (3 votes) |
Director: Chris Carter |
MPAA Rating:  |
| Genre: mystery, drama |
Year: 2008 |
| Writer(s): Chris Carter, Frank Spotnitz |
| Distributor: 20th Century Fox |
| Reviewed by: Avril Carruthers |
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Produced by Frank Spotnitz, Chris Carter
Cast: David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Bill Connolly, Amanda Peet
Not being a fan of the TV show I didn’t have any expectations of the film. No expectations means no disappointment, but that’s not saying much. With one exception – the character played by Billy Connolly that earned it two points from me - it was tripe.
Writer/director Chris Carter, the creator of the TV show that last screened six years ago, intended to ‘scare the pants off people’ and hoped to garner a new generation of fans. Certainly there are some spooky elements and some brutal violence, but if fans are scared - it’s tragic. I’d be surprised if they’re even mildly disturbed by this predictable, knee-jerk plot. Other comments incorporating the word pants might be more apt.
A missing agent, a psychic with visions and a dark secret are enough for the FBI to want Fox Mulder (Duchovny) back after ten years of banishment on bogus charges. Dr Dana Scully (Anderson) is sent to find him. Both characters have moved on with their lives and working together once more presents some teething problems. A subplot involving a dying child who is a patient of Scully’s contains some of the few convincing performances, notably from Anderson. Even so, it seems Scully’s connection to the child is merely an echo of a previous loss, and a convenient plot device for a wannabe spooky coincidence.
A wild haired and grotty Billy Connolly plays the only slightly complex character, a priest defrocked for good reasons who has visions that could come confusingly from either the devil, God or his fertile imagination. Despite this, the determinedly banal dialogue other characters throw at him dilutes all interest we might have developed. Mully’n’Sculder, oops, well you know who I mean, mouth pretences at passionate conviction on alternately letting things go or not giving up. Wet newspaper has more intensity.
The rest is a blancmange of bland stereotyped characters and unengaging dialogue interspersed with jerky jump cuts, unfinished plotlines and chases that carry little suspense or atmosphere, no matter how much you might want to believe.
© Avril Carruthers 21st July 2008
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