It’s been a very long time since the last X-Files film so I was very excited when news came that they were filming another one. The strange thing was, though, is that there was little notice given to the sequel until it’s cinematic release. I saw the film on opening night to a little less then a half filled audience who had little reaction to the film.
Now, first off I’d like to say that the film written by Frank Spotnitz and creator Chris Carter is a very strong character film in the “art house film” tradition. It’s a great stepping on point for both people who have never seen an episode of the show and for those people who stopped watching the show when star David Duchovny left.
Carter (who also directs this time out) delivers an atmospheric murder mystery with just enough “strangeness” to call it an X-File but herein lies the biggest problem of the film. It doesn’t ever really feel like an “X-Files” story. With the exception of a cameo appearance of Director Walter Skinner (Mitch Pileggi) no one from the series returns for this film and since neither Mulder (Duchovny) nor Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) even belong to the FBI there is little reason to even call this film an X-Files film. The nature of the case in which Mulder and Scully are brought in to assist is barely an X-Files in itself and the big reveal at the end of the film (which I will not reveal here) leaves you wondering why the filmmakers decided this was the story by which to resurrect the franchise. This film takes elements from the most low-key episodes of the series rather then pull from the most popular which featured aliens or monsters or re-interpretations of old myths and legends. Unlike the series, this new film takes itself way too serious in a story that pulls more from an episode of Law & Order then it does from its own series.
I enjoyed the film rather more out of respect for what Carter & Co. were trying to accomplish then anything else as the film was not well received by audiences or fans of the series and it died a quick death at the box office. I do believe that upon DVD the film will find its audience but there is little chance of the franchise continuing after this one.
Now, first off I’d like to say that the film written by Frank Spotnitz and creator Chris Carter is a very strong character film in the “art house film” tradition. It’s a great stepping on point for both people who have never seen an episode of the show and for those people who stopped watching the show when star David Duchovny left.
Carter (who also directs this time out) delivers an atmospheric murder mystery with just enough “strangeness” to call it an X-File but herein lies the biggest problem of the film. It doesn’t ever really feel like an “X-Files” story. With the exception of a cameo appearance of Director Walter Skinner (Mitch Pileggi) no one from the series returns for this film and since neither Mulder (Duchovny) nor Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) even belong to the FBI there is little reason to even call this film an X-Files film. The nature of the case in which Mulder and Scully are brought in to assist is barely an X-Files in itself and the big reveal at the end of the film (which I will not reveal here) leaves you wondering why the filmmakers decided this was the story by which to resurrect the franchise. This film takes elements from the most low-key episodes of the series rather then pull from the most popular which featured aliens or monsters or re-interpretations of old myths and legends. Unlike the series, this new film takes itself way too serious in a story that pulls more from an episode of Law & Order then it does from its own series.
I enjoyed the film rather more out of respect for what Carter & Co. were trying to accomplish then anything else as the film was not well received by audiences or fans of the series and it died a quick death at the box office. I do believe that upon DVD the film will find its audience but there is little chance of the franchise continuing after this one.
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