PLOT: Fox Mulder is brought in by the FBI to help determine if a convicted child molester, Father Joe, is a real deal psychic as the FBI searches for an abducted FBI agent. Scully wants to leave the world of the X-Files behind.

ANALYSIS: The new X-FILES film, THE X-FILES: I WANT TO BELIEVE, left me feeling a little underwhelmed. It isn't as good as the first X-FILES. Most of the plot made me wonder if the film's story would have been better suited for a MILLENNIUM movie (Chris Carter wants to make one based on his better TV series and Fox isn't interested). The central idea of the film is faith. Mulder still wants to believe and Scully needs to hold onto her faith to treat a kid with what may have an incurable brain disease.

The story isn't bad, but waiting all of these years for another film with Mulder and Scully makes me wanting more. It is interesting to see Mulder is still collecting clips on strange things all of these years. Even though he will walk away from it all for Scully, he is right that investing X-Files cases iw what he is. An uneasy tension exists between Mulder and Scully after living with each other. The FBI reveals they will put the past behind Mulder if he helps out (The FBI doesn't seem to care that Mulder is a fugitive anymore). Mulder does have some of the best dialogue.

I just hope 20th Century Fox greenlights a third film and that Chris Carter gets back to the alien mythology storylines that made the series and first film so great. A standalone story is a great thing to try, but I wnat to see Carter get the alien invasion and colonization storylines back on track. It is nice to see how Mulder and Scully are after all these years and it is terrible to see Mulder without his life's quest- The X-Files. The other problems with the film is that FBI agents (played by Peet and Xzibit) aren't that fleshed out at all. Father Joe gets more details and even the central bad guys have more known about them. I wish Carter and Spotnitz worked on the script more or come with an even better story than this one. It is great see THE X-FILES back and it is better than most of the stuff that came out of the last two seasons of the serie(which isn't saying much). The thing that feels the most missing is that Mulder has given uup on his life's quest. I hope Chris Carter reads the reviews, watch the best episodes of the series, and realize what makes THE X-FILES great in the first place. The first film is already opening at a small box office amount and the small film budget gives hope that a third one will be made. It is a little better ona second viewing (my first on DVD).

P.S. Stick around through most of the end credits for a little gag.

SPECIAL FEATURES:
Audio commentary with writer/creaor/director Chris Carter and co-writer/producer Frank Spotnitz

CHRIS CARTER- STATEMENTS ON GREEN PRODUCTIONS- Chris Carter talks about the waste they cut down on during teh filming of the sequel, the hybrid cars that were lent by Ford to transport the cast and Chris Carter to the airport and back and forth from the sets & locations, and the way other productions are cutting back on waste.
BODY PARTS: SPECIAL MAKEUP EFFECTS- the title says it all.

Three deleted scenes that don't add much to the plot. The almost ten minute gag reel has people slipping on snow and ice, flubbing lines, and playing around. Skip the Bubbles public service ad. Also included are the two theatrical trailers (US and International) and four extensive still galleries (Collectibles, Concept Art, Unit Photography, and Storyboards). The Storyboard art is comic book quality. Before the main menu is a theatrical trailer for THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL remake.

FINAL ANALYSIS: THE X-FILES: I WANT TO BELIVE is a disappointing follow-up to the series. Some standalone episodes fo the show are definitely better than this film. Diehard fans may want to buy the three disc for the making of documentary on disc 2.

this DVD review is (c)12-9-2008 David Blackwell and cannot be reprinted without permission. send all comments to lord_pragmagtic@hotmail.com  

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