Reviews

‘Back in the day’ the X-Files phenomenon was huge. For nine full seasons, viewers sat glued to their TV screens as Mulder and Scully hunted monsters, chased demons and risked their lives to uncover the truth behind the government conspiracy. The X-Files even had its own cult-like following (X-Philes), though nothing as geeky as those Star Wars fundies, never mind the Trekkies. (Sorry, but you know it’s true!) It’s been six long years since the final X-Files episode aired and so the (second) X-Files movie has come not a minute too soon.

Now if like me, you are a fan of the show, you’ll know that there are two types of X-Files episodes. There’s the mythology / ‘mytharc’ aspect (all that stuff with the black oil, Scully’s baby, super soldiers…) and then there are the monster of the week episodes. Well this movie is of the latter.

Set six years after the show ended, both Fox Mulder and Dana Scully have left the FBI. Scully has gone back to her medical background and is a doctor at a hospital, while Mulder has become a bit of a recluse, still obsessing over the ‘truth’ and sporting a very hairy face! After the mysterious disappearance of an agent, the FBI asks Scully to help them find Mulder to assist them with the case. (Remember in the last episode of the X-Files, Mulder is sentenced to death but manages to break out of confinement, and so he’s a fugitive of the law. The FBI agrees to call off the manhunt in exchange for his help.) So Scully convinces Mulder to get involved. An integral part of the plot is Father Joe (Billy Connolly) who has ‘visions’ related to the case. The catch is Father Joe is a convicted pedophile and Scully wants nothing to do with him. But Mulder is intrigued, and so begins their hunt for the truth.

There’s all of that fun scary stuff that is so very X-Files. Medicine and religion – always a good mix. I would’ve liked it to explore the whole mythology side though. (Apparently they’re thinking of doing another movie that covers that.) Also - and I felt the same about the Sex and the City movie - sometimes the episodes are simply better than the movie versions and the same applies here. But on the whole, the X-files movie isn’t bad. It is great to see Mulder and Scully back in action again. (‘Pity Agents Doggett and Reyes aren’t in the movie. And Alex Krycek too. Yes, I know he’s dead. But hey, if they can resurrect people in Days of our Lives surely they can do it for the X–Files. Right?)

The X-Files movie may not have been a box-office hit, but if you’re a fan of the show and ‘want to believe’, be sure to watch it anyway.

Nicola-Jane Ford is a 30-year old ‘chick’ who is the proud guardian of a fabulous cat and many pairs of equally fabulous shoes. She lives in (gorgeous) Cape Town and supports her love of red wine by working as a copywriter. She is the Assistant Reviews Editor here at All Things Girl

Share This Article »