The X Files: I Want to Believe
Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation | Release Date: July 25, 2008
6.3
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 209 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
115
Mixed:
49
Negative:
45
Watch Now
Stream On
Stream On
Buy on
Stream On
Stream On
Stream On
Expand
Review this movie
VOTE NOW
 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Check box if your review contains spoilers 0 characters (5000 max)

User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
7
HyperSDec 2, 2008
A movie that falls short of the high expectations one can imagine would be placed on a X-Files movie by its fans, but as a typical crime thriller it is decent enough to earn a 7 or so. The movie would have benefited from a bigger plot A movie that falls short of the high expectations one can imagine would be placed on a X-Files movie by its fans, but as a typical crime thriller it is decent enough to earn a 7 or so. The movie would have benefited from a bigger plot line... a governmental conspiracy or something, but instead decided to take a simple black market approach with a tiny bit of religion mixed in. Reading some of the reviews I anticipated a boring love story between Mulder and Scully, but really their relationship was merely probed in an unusual way in that we skip by the awkward tense unexplored romantic relationship in the TV series and skip right to the sex apparently. Yet, I'm still not sure exactly what their relationship was in the movie. Weird.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
7
WeaselG.Jan 2, 2009
I can see everyone's problem with this film. When something carries a cult name like X-Files people expect a certain degree of escapism and adventure as in the first film and this unfortunately hasn't happened here. The film stands I can see everyone's problem with this film. When something carries a cult name like X-Files people expect a certain degree of escapism and adventure as in the first film and this unfortunately hasn't happened here. The film stands quite well individually (if without the X-Files name). Had this been made without the necessary cast and certain personnel this could have easily been passed off as another crime thriller with a couple of character name changes. In short this was a good film not great but but good, even though I missed the little green men… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
JasonP.Jul 25, 2008
I just saw the first showing of this film. It's fantastic. No BS. I was shocked at how well it managed to capture and distill the essence of the show. There are a few plot holes but never mind that. Go see this film... it's I just saw the first showing of this film. It's fantastic. No BS. I was shocked at how well it managed to capture and distill the essence of the show. There are a few plot holes but never mind that. Go see this film... it's refreshing to see a summer movie that leans more on character then FX. I give it 3 thumbs up.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
7
s.KlineJul 25, 2008
A fully realized and executed movie - dont read the 'main-stream' reviews. DD & GA were very good in the reprise - very good performances. X-Files fans will NOT be dissappointed. It's to bad this movie so was long in the A fully realized and executed movie - dont read the 'main-stream' reviews. DD & GA were very good in the reprise - very good performances. X-Files fans will NOT be dissappointed. It's to bad this movie so was long in the making - if there is never another X-files movie - this was a fully realized close to the TV series. Well done - all involved!… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
SamB.Jul 26, 2008
Wow. I don't think these critics saw the same film I did. The one I saw was a suspenseful, restrained and mature slice of these two characters' lives. I do think that the filmmakers made a fans' movie, despite their attempt to Wow. I don't think these critics saw the same film I did. The one I saw was a suspenseful, restrained and mature slice of these two characters' lives. I do think that the filmmakers made a fans' movie, despite their attempt to make a movie for everyone. But I'm a fan, and I got -- not what I wanted, but something surprising and satisfying.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
ElliottJul 30, 2008
I loved it! Above all, it reminded me why I fell in love with this show in the first place. I think I'll start rewatching the series now :)
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
DanaM.Jul 26, 2008
I wish Chris Carter had decided to return to the alien invasian storyline, but nonetheless, this film is getting a raw deal from the critics. The plot turns slightly sloppy in the second half, but it's a great character study and the I wish Chris Carter had decided to return to the alien invasian storyline, but nonetheless, this film is getting a raw deal from the critics. The plot turns slightly sloppy in the second half, but it's a great character study and the concept of faith in its many forms is central to the film and explored very well. I agree with someone else who said that many of the reviewers have only a passing knowledge of the tv show. If they had done their homework, they'd know that this movie pays tribute to the Mulder Scully relationship -- which was the driving force of the show, anyway. I sincerely hope that the movie brings in enough at the box office for Carter to return for a third movie -- he has been saying that the third one will deal with the alien invasion, and it's a resolution that they fans deserve and that a new generation of fans could really latch onto.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
7
ChadS.Jul 26, 2008
Only Scully(Gillian Anderson), and Scully alone, can broach the subject of Mulder's sister to the ex-FBI agent. Fearing that Mulder(David Duchovny) may still be feeling the effects of cabin fever, Scully orientates him to the here and Only Scully(Gillian Anderson), and Scully alone, can broach the subject of Mulder's sister to the ex-FBI agent. Fearing that Mulder(David Duchovny) may still be feeling the effects of cabin fever, Scully orientates him to the here and now, so when he leaves with the field agents to help locate a missing girl, it doesn't turn into a wild goose chase, conducted on synchronous time. Because Mulder loves Scully, no offense is taken by her implicit suggestion that he possesses an omnipresent mind. And because Scully is probably the most important person in Mulder's life, he lets the obvious go unspoken; that Dana Scully's return to practicing medicine is the act of a tortured soul. Mulder, he knows. He's been there. He's still there. Since "The X-Files: I Want to Believe" knows its characters intimately, fans surmise that Dana is seeking the approval of her father, albeit posthmously. In an episode from Season One called "Beyond the Sea"(featuring a great performance by Brad Dourif), Scully loses her father, and is aggreived by his unspoken disappointment that her departure from the medical profession in order to join the FBI caused him great consternation. She wants out. She wants to remain in the light. So Mulder goes into the darkness alone, but Scully is his dark light, and Mulder is hers. To quote Michael Corleone in Francis Ford Coppola's "The Godfather: Part III(I Want to Recast my Daughter's Part)", "Just when I thought that I was out, they pull me back in." Thankfully, "The X-Files: I Want to Believe" is smaller in scale than the first film. Throughout its nine-year run on the Fox network, we saw enough signs of alien life and government conspiracies. Signs of love, that's what longtime fans want.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
MikeK.Jul 26, 2008
Chris Carter did what he knows best, write a good x-files episode. He reminds us that we don't need endless explosions and gun fights to make a good thriller. Overall very enjoyable.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
KyleH.Jul 26, 2008
Great movie. It's didn't assume the audience was stupid. The only thing I thought was stupid was a medical doctor using Google for stem cell research.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
MuldfeldJul 31, 2008
I'm a long-time viewer of the series, and was depressed at seeing the show decline quite a lot after the 1998 film, especially the mythology. The stand-alones never held my interest, except the psychic ones, because I never cared for I'm a long-time viewer of the series, and was depressed at seeing the show decline quite a lot after the 1998 film, especially the mythology. The stand-alones never held my interest, except the psychic ones, because I never cared for being scared. The mythology episodes had more to them: there was a depth of complicated, yet sometimes mysterious, relationships between Scully and Mulder and the human conspirators. So, the mythology basically ended brilliantly with Season 6's "Two Fathers"/"One Son" and Season 7's "Sein Und Zeit"/"Closure", but the series generally lacked the quality of Seasons 3 and 4, and what really became obvious was that Mulder and Scully's dynamics were stale from Season 6 on; they tried to throw in comedy to give them something new, and there were a few good episodes, which surpassed the over-rated Season 1. However, Season 7 was a total failure, except the afore-mentioned episodes. Though Season 8 added some new dynamics with the introduction of Doggett and a few of the new mythology stories were fun, it wasn't consistent enough, and Doggett often played a more stubborn, working-class Scully. As I wrote in a Season 9 review, "the characters moved through the dramatic motions in so formulaic a manner, lacking clear motivations, while the stories lacked real plot; scenes and dialogue felt stretched out on purpose. The mythology had become a caricature of itself, employing mystifying dialogue and pointless confrontation to put nothing substantial across, but to serve as ends in themselves." So, anything that avoided the formula of Scully and Mulder's dynamics would have been a bonus. How many times would Scully contemplate whether Mulder's quest was hers? How often would Mulder feel guilty about that fact and go off on his own? How often would they suspect Skinner? How often would some physical trauma happen to Scully causing her to feel victimized? How often would the X-Files be closed or Mulder and Scully kicked out of the FBI? More importantly, how often could the themes of faith, trust, and paranoia be used with any freshness? The first film was a failure as a mythology story because it tried to work as a standalone but without all the aspects that made the mythology so effective -- the built-up fascinating characters and their loaded histories with Scully and Mulder and the various theories of what the main characters had seen so far. After the series' best mythology episodes in Season 5's "Redux II", "Patient X" and "The Red and the Black", viewers were greeted with a fairly shallow story. The X-Files was never as much about revelations as about the dramatic interaction of the main characters with the recurring ones like CSM and Krychek, but they were either absent or stripped of any meaningful dialogue. There was also such a self-conscious attempt to dumb things down for excitement purposes: the explosions, the silly bees, the spaceship at the end -- the last of which was never really explained. Granted this film had a pretty lame suspense quotient and misused Callum Keith Rennie, who is magnificent in Battlestar Galactica, and just wasn't very exciting here. Part of this also stemmed from the low key nature of the story. I have to admire how Carter abandoned all the shock and awe of the previous film and shallow copycats like J.J. Abrams, who is just an awful, superficial producer. Mulder and Scully were on the run from the FBI at the end of the series, so to just have them back in with guns and resources would have been pat. The story was trying something new in having them on their own and they had to rely on basic resources like no guns and Google.com. Carter has also often said that real fright comes from the everyday. So, a collision in daylight with a snow-shovelling truck becomes a terrifying abduction. At least that was the idea. I could admire his restraint the same way I did Bryan Singer's attempts to tone down a super hero story in "Superman Returns", even though they both failed in some ways. However, for all the lack of thriller action, the movie was really about the relationship between Scully and Mulder, and I was surprised at how fresh the dialogue was and how new the turns in their relationship were, showing how it had grown. Mulder no longer spoke in cheesy stock phrases about how "the truth is out there" (something ardent early seasons' fans forget he did a lot in Seasons 1 and 2, when the dialogue was often poor). There was a subtlety to the ever-present themes that rejuvenated them, and my fear they had been tired out was put to rest. Also, Scully was given a dignity she hadn't known in a professional sense before in that she actually kept her job in the end. In addition, there was an attempt at moral complexity in Billy Connelly's character. Finally, the tender moments and the excellent dialogue between Mulder and Scully were wonderful to see, and was really the most important aspect of any X-Files movie I was going to watch. Truthfully, their drama felt more real than the relationship between the two leads in "Atonement", although admittedly what made that film great was the outsider sister. Yet, if this had been a film by Anthony Minghella and not The X-Files with lots of superficial critics' stock expectations, it would have gotten better reviews. I'm not saying it's an 'A' film, but what Chris Carter has attempted and succeeded at in the intimate drama and dialogue is quite an accomplishment, especially for a sci fi franchise that built its audience on spooks and scares, and is now not simply using drama as a breather between action scenes like most of Hollywood. 7.5 out of 10… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
EdRMAug 10, 2008
Very nice movie, but it feels a bit too much as a stretched episode of the series.Maybe be a bit too slow for the popcorn eaters that hungers for non-stop action.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
7
ShawnB.Aug 1, 2008
Good fun and worth watching for an X-files fan; think of it as a long episode that's well acted and written and you won't be disappointed. Mulder and Scully are still great on screen together.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
KaylaM.Aug 10, 2008
Okay... let me tell you something...that x files movie was awesome! I didn't want to take my eyes off of the screen the entire time. I've loved the show ever since I first saw it about three years aqo. Even if you haven't seen Okay... let me tell you something...that x files movie was awesome! I didn't want to take my eyes off of the screen the entire time. I've loved the show ever since I first saw it about three years aqo. Even if you haven't seen the show, you could probably still follow the story line. The whole plot centered around a series of abductions and a so- called- psyhic the FBI was depending on to help them out. Although Mulder and Scully's lives had led them away from their former jobs as FBI agents, they get tangled up in the business of the abductions. Real psyhic? Abducties murdered? Who was responsible? ....well, I'll just let you figure that one out for yourself. If you're a fan of the paranormal, unexplained events, or just plain out murder mysteries, I would strongly recommend this movie. It will surely have you on the edge of your seats! I'm really hoping for a sequel!!… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
JessEAug 5, 2008
I liked this suspenseful film a lot. The script is very good as are the performances of the Scully and Mulder characters. This movie deserves a bigger audience and hope people will take a chance and go see it. I mean just how many times can I liked this suspenseful film a lot. The script is very good as are the performances of the Scully and Mulder characters. This movie deserves a bigger audience and hope people will take a chance and go see it. I mean just how many times can you see TDK before one becomes bored.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
CindybAug 6, 2008
I love them.... And I'm very happy with the movie.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
JoshE.Aug 7, 2008
A well acted film including the right actors and actresses, followed by a serious thriller plot whilst bringing a new feel to the X-files, justifying the choice for a movie. There are fitting cameos and star performances blended well into a A well acted film including the right actors and actresses, followed by a serious thriller plot whilst bringing a new feel to the X-files, justifying the choice for a movie. There are fitting cameos and star performances blended well into a simple yet engaging adult storyline.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
FabioC.Sep 6, 2008
A good movie for X-Files fans... you won't find aliens and conspiracies in it but C.Carter decided to explore and focus on the other great theme of the X-Files TV series, that is the Mulder/Scully relationship. A more complicated and A good movie for X-Files fans... you won't find aliens and conspiracies in it but C.Carter decided to explore and focus on the other great theme of the X-Files TV series, that is the Mulder/Scully relationship. A more complicated and intricated plot would probably have diverted attention from what Chris [Carter] and Frank [Spotnitz] thought had to be the heart of this movie. It's a good old school thriller, surely not as bad as someone is describing it.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
MarkDec 6, 2008
Good movie. Not great, but good and definitely worth watching. I am a long time X-files watcher and I watched it with my girlfriend who has never watched X-files. My girlfriend even liked it. Probably because there were no aliens in it :). Good movie. Not great, but good and definitely worth watching. I am a long time X-files watcher and I watched it with my girlfriend who has never watched X-files. My girlfriend even liked it. Probably because there were no aliens in it :). You will feel left with some unanswered questions and a not fully explained plot, but a sense that you know where Scully and Mulder are these days and an entertaining murder-mystery.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
7
TonyE.Oct 9, 2008
Finally a sequel! But like me, a lot has changed in the interim. It didn't feel like a true X-File movie, more like a low budget B-side lost episode of the show. It's all there though: Scully's skepticism, Mulder's poster Finally a sequel! But like me, a lot has changed in the interim. It didn't feel like a true X-File movie, more like a low budget B-side lost episode of the show. It's all there though: Scully's skepticism, Mulder's poster and seeds, a pedophile with blood seeping eyes. All in all, it is worthy of a viewing (once).… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
KirkL>Jul 25, 2008
An awesome character study. No, the movie wasn't perfect, but as a huge fan of the show, I was just glad to have them back.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
JustinH.Jul 25, 2008
I have no idea what the critics are talking about.... This movie was among the best X-Files plots.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
7
AnthonyA.Jul 26, 2008
To truly enjoy this movie, ignore the reviews and don't set the bar too high in your mind. Realize that I Want To Believe is simply an extended episode from the television series. Having said that, it was a damn good episode. So nice to To truly enjoy this movie, ignore the reviews and don't set the bar too high in your mind. Realize that I Want To Believe is simply an extended episode from the television series. Having said that, it was a damn good episode. So nice to see the gang back together.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
HeatherA.Jul 26, 2008
The first viewing, because I had followed teh show so well in it's time, had me feeling very odd indeed, agreeing with a number of fans that because it was totally against supposition and expectation, that I did not know how to process The first viewing, because I had followed teh show so well in it's time, had me feeling very odd indeed, agreeing with a number of fans that because it was totally against supposition and expectation, that I did not know how to process it. When I viewed it a second time, a habit from the very detailed series viewing, and as a student of literature and writing at college, I came away witha certain twittering in my heart. The plot of the paranormal phenomene was only a gimmick for exploration into the characters and faith, and how to deal with darkness and life. I think that so many reveviewers of movies and television have been somewhat dumbed down by conspicuous melodramatic, viciously obvious or crass movie fare that subtlety, lack of righteousness, personal doubt and struggle, so much the everyday, are beyond their minds. No one seems to want to think, and that is why people are so negative of this rather beautiful tale. The X Files promotes that life is not an area of duality, black or white, but an entire realm of shades of grey that few of us want to admit, because not having a camp where everyone sits to justify our rather horrible tendencies and behaviors toward one another is scary. Perhaps if there were more people courageous enough to be unique, humble people like Mulder and Scully, and not hide behinde conformity and how intelligence is not good for us, then perhaps they would understand what this type of entertainment is actually trying to do.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
NinaGJul 27, 2008
A movie that leaves you thinking and researching the clues that are given. It needs to be seen more than once to truly get the message intended. Chris Carter delivered a movie that only people who like to think, and not just be entertained, A movie that leaves you thinking and researching the clues that are given. It needs to be seen more than once to truly get the message intended. Chris Carter delivered a movie that only people who like to think, and not just be entertained, would appreciate. "Don't give up" on hopes of a third movie that may let all of us see "The Truth."… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
JimS.Jul 28, 2008
Certainly not what I expected. I am not an X-Phile (I have occasionally seen the show in syndication), but I was surprised at how involved I became with the two characters. Anderson and Duchovny are easily the sexiest couple I have seen at Certainly not what I expected. I am not an X-Phile (I have occasionally seen the show in syndication), but I was surprised at how involved I became with the two characters. Anderson and Duchovny are easily the sexiest couple I have seen at the movies this summer. Note to Hollywood: second sexiest couple was Harrison Ford and Karen Allen. Sometimes younger ain't better.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
PauseeJul 28, 2008
At its best, The X-Files required its audience to think. This film is no different. I've seen it three times so far, and with each viewing, I see more depth and nuance than before. "I Want to Believe" doesn't have a 50-foot-tall At its best, The X-Files required its audience to think. This film is no different. I've seen it three times so far, and with each viewing, I see more depth and nuance than before. "I Want to Believe" doesn't have a 50-foot-tall monster nor dazzing special effects. IWTB is a small, intimate film that explores an X-File through the eyes of the more mature and settled Mulder and Scully. This IS a film for the fans, without a doubt. But casual and new viewers, the ones I met anyway, left the theater saying they liked it. SEE it. If you've seen it, SEE it again. It's worth it.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
ChrisT.Jul 28, 2008
A really good thriller in the vein of but not overly X-Files. Mulder and Scully have changed over the past 6 years. I am eager for more films both like in a new direction like this and dealing more with traditional X-Files material
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
[Anonymous]Jul 29, 2008
I thought this was a great return for the x-files. It felt just like an early series episode - dark and creepy. Scully's storyline is very compelling in my opinion and Gillian Anderson stole every scene she was in.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
NancyNJul 29, 2008
"Unlike the previous comments, I thought this was plenty scary. I was jumping all over the place in my seat at unexpected moments. And it had more gore than I'm used to with the XFiles cos on tv they had to be tamer (back when XFiles "Unlike the previous comments, I thought this was plenty scary. I was jumping all over the place in my seat at unexpected moments. And it had more gore than I'm used to with the XFiles cos on tv they had to be tamer (back when XFiles was on anyway). So, some of the movie was watched thru the fingers of my hands :-) I was with my 29 yr old nephew who loved those same parts of the film that I refer to above. So, to a 29 yr old guy, it wasn't tame. This may not matter to someone who didn't watch or wasn't an avid fan of the show, but I loved how they seamlessly integrated and re-introduced a lot of that which was a part of Mulder and Scully's persona on the show. For instance: Mulder still eats sunflower seeds. Mulder's sister is mentioned more than once. The poster "I Want to Believe" is still in his office. Scully still wears her cross necklace. The quick repartee particularly from Mulder. Scully (Anderson) and Mulder (Duchovny) still have that same chemistry--only deeper. I did think the storyline was gruesome but then so were some of the stories of the XFiles. There was plenty of "Scully and Mulder" and their relationship to each other. I loved seeing them work together and where they are personally these 6 years later. That said, this wasn't quite up to Chris Carter and writers best story. I'd give it an 8 1/2 out of 10 stars. (So, I've rounded up and rated this at 9 stars.) I always loved the music on the show and was not disappointed this time either. There is one scene, within the first 20 min of the film, where the XFiles theme music was the instrument to a spontaneous, unexpected laugh (really laugh) out loud response. Scully and Mulder are about to enter an FBI office. On the left of the door is a picture of President Bush and on the right of the door is a picture of J. Edgar Hoover. You'll have to see the movie to understand why it was so funny :-) Bring on more XFiles movies, Chris Carter! Nancy" p.s. Another reviewer referred to the ridiculousness of "the psycho-religious conversation about believing in things that aren't what they seem.." That's pure XFiles: two sides of the same coin. Mulder view and Scully's view of the same topic. Each sees a different side. Classic XFiles!"… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
DavidS.Jul 31, 2008
A good character driven story and brave move by Chris Carter to not fill it with Aliens and CGI. Great to see Duchovney and Anderson reprise their roles - watching you guys again was like enjoying a fine vintage wine. Looking forward to more A good character driven story and brave move by Chris Carter to not fill it with Aliens and CGI. Great to see Duchovney and Anderson reprise their roles - watching you guys again was like enjoying a fine vintage wine. Looking forward to more X-Files stories… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
ChrisOJul 31, 2008
Ignore what a majority of the critics are saying. This is a VERY solid thriller. It is well paced and very engaging. David and Gillian are fantastic as always but Gillian is the real star. Scully is given some really interesting story lines. Ignore what a majority of the critics are saying. This is a VERY solid thriller. It is well paced and very engaging. David and Gillian are fantastic as always but Gillian is the real star. Scully is given some really interesting story lines. Whether you are a fan or not this is a very entertaining pic and compared to a lot of trash that has been on our screens this year you could do a LOT worse than the new X Files film. A very mature film... maybe that's why people aren't responding. Not enough explosions and car chases?… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
JamesM.Jul 30, 2008
A very good follow up to the series, not as good as it could have been, but nowhere near as bad
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
VanessaF.Aug 29, 2008
Awesome movie. I'm gonna watch it again .. and one more thing .. wai for what comes after the credit,DON'T LEAVE THE CINEMA!
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
AnonymousAug 3, 2008
Carter should have brought more of the original cast back at least those he didn't kill off, why not Patrick and Gish? Duchovney and Anderson were wonderful they have great chemistry! carter used all his best ideas for episodes of the Carter should have brought more of the original cast back at least those he didn't kill off, why not Patrick and Gish? Duchovney and Anderson were wonderful they have great chemistry! carter used all his best ideas for episodes of the series. I still enjoyed it.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
SullivanL.Aug 6, 2008
A great character study about Mulder & Scully, lost in a world of chaos and despair where they represent the hint of a long gone, somewhat magical, better time. That may not be what you expect from The X-Files however. Which only means that A great character study about Mulder & Scully, lost in a world of chaos and despair where they represent the hint of a long gone, somewhat magical, better time. That may not be what you expect from The X-Files however. Which only means that you've forgotten the show's one and only promise : expect the unexpected! A very smart script whose many elements all mirror and comment each other.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
SusanS.Jul 25, 2008
I saw this last night at the 12:01 screening--I'm not the most die-hard X-Philer, but I did pretty faithfully watch the show for most of it's run. I was both excited and curious to see what they were going to do with this I saw this last night at the 12:01 screening--I'm not the most die-hard X-Philer, but I did pretty faithfully watch the show for most of it's run. I was both excited and curious to see what they were going to do with this long-awaited second movie, and I have to say, the first word that came to my mind after it was over was...odd. It didn't really exceed my expectation because it completely circumvented them. It wasn't in any way what I was expecting to see, and while this fact has some up in arms, I think I actually really liked the movie. There's a lot of analysis and evalution I could go into to defend this (I'm sure there will much argument on all message boards), but I'm just going to say this: I liked this movie because it's like the X-Files used to be when it was at it's best--a simple morality tale with convoluted morals. Did it need to be on the big screen? I don't know. But it seems like a bit of an exploration that they've been wanting to do, and if you think about it, when they weren't seeking out answers about extraterrestrial life, they were exploring the depths of the other supernatural aspect of our lives: faith and religion. I think we just forgot about that part of the show.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
KenW.Jul 25, 2008
It may not be Batman, but an intimate and dark character drama provides a welcome change from every other movie on the block where the main protagonist can fly, bend steel and be completely uninteresting. This coming from a viewer who It may not be Batman, but an intimate and dark character drama provides a welcome change from every other movie on the block where the main protagonist can fly, bend steel and be completely uninteresting. This coming from a viewer who isn't even an X-files fanboy, just a casual viewer of a great show.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
JamesD.Jul 25, 2008
Clearly a film that should not have been released during the slam-bang summer season, this second X-Files feature is a dual character study folded within a small thriller plot. While screenwriters Chris Carter and Frank Spotnitz have the Clearly a film that should not have been released during the slam-bang summer season, this second X-Files feature is a dual character study folded within a small thriller plot. While screenwriters Chris Carter and Frank Spotnitz have the courage to take their protagonists forward in time and age their relationship, it clearly was a narrative move that many filmgoers and film critics were not expecting. Having read all of the reviews here at Metacritic, few critics have reviewed the film for what it actually does on screen, and many make use of generic and superficial knowledge of the tv show in rendering judgement. (Richard Corliss, for example, claims Scully's pregnancy was the result of in vitro fertilization and anyone with a passing familiarity with that major series plot line knows that it wasn't--in typical X-Files fashion--that straight-forward.) Of the negative reviews Lowery's is best. As a post-script, I can't help but wonder if Fox and the producers' decision to screen the film later for critics wasn't a very, very bad move. 99% of the time when studios do they are trying to circumvent critics. Critics hate that, and this move may have been like dangling raw meat in some water filled with piranhas.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
ColleenS.Jul 25, 2008
Denser, more complex and disturbing, and more intimate than the majority of critics are saying.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
ChrisW.Jul 27, 2008
Movie was as good as expected, knowing it was going to be an individual x-file instead of continuing on with the alien conspiracy. I think fans still will be searching for answers after this movie... or has the alien conspiracy plot been Movie was as good as expected, knowing it was going to be an individual x-file instead of continuing on with the alien conspiracy. I think fans still will be searching for answers after this movie... or has the alien conspiracy plot been thrown out? This film does not answer that question, but does succeed as a great "extended" version of the tv show.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
MattHAug 12, 2008
Better than the reviews indicate or the returns at the box office. This is a grown up movie at the core ... not a comic book movie. Maybe this is why it didn't meet peoples' expectations.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
JustinS.Dec 14, 2008
Awesome monster of the week movie as promised! Definetley gives a nice edge to the X-files, and is based of real experiments that the Russians had carried out called "Experiments in the Revival of Organisms". Cant wait for #3!!!!
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
RickW.Dec 17, 2008
Excellent movie for the thinking man.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
JohnQPublicOct 9, 2010
If you were a fan of the show, you will enjoy this movie. It perfectly resolves the Scully and Muldur relationship, which is what the show was really about.

The movie also takes chances by starting off a number of years in the future withIf you were a fan of the show, you will enjoy this movie. It perfectly resolves the Scully and Muldur relationship, which is what the show was really about.

The movie also takes chances by starting off a number of years in the future with significant changes in the lives of each character. I did not perform well at the box office, likely because it was a not the science fiction movie people expected, rather a relationship movie with a science fiction subplot.

Well done and a perfect resolution to the relationship. NOT a Sci-Fi Adventure flick.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
7
manofthemoonMar 6, 2015
A curiosity rather than a success as The X-Files tries a standard killer thriller rather than the paranormal/extraterrestial world that worked so well in the series. Elevated by strong performances from Anderson, Duchovny and Connolly, thisA curiosity rather than a success as The X-Files tries a standard killer thriller rather than the paranormal/extraterrestial world that worked so well in the series. Elevated by strong performances from Anderson, Duchovny and Connolly, this outing is enjoyable for fans who will still hope for more of the weird and wonderful should there be a third big screening outing.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
7
MonkiReviewsMay 22, 2017
This story wasn't as good as the last movie. At the start, I was very happy to see the characters again. But at the end I got very bored until he final minutes. Still watch it to see the (almost) true ending.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
More From This Movie

47 Critic Reviews

6.3 User Reviews

Details & Credits|Trailers

Current Movie Releases
By MetascoreBy User Score
1 77 Project Hail Mary
2 75 Send Help
3 73 Hoppers
4 72 The Sheep Detectives
5 63 Normal
SEE ALL
Essential Links
New on Amazon Prime Video
New on Netflix
Coming Soon to DVD/Blu-ray
SEE ALL