The Sum Of All Body Parts (The X Files: I Want To Believe (DVD))

Member Name: utero

Product:	The X Files: I Want To Believe (DVD)
Date:	19/12/08 (100 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Decent Drama, Good Performances

Disadvantages: Just feels like a small screen affair

In the early nineties The X-Files was one of the biggest TV shows in the world that started off as tales of unexplained phenomenon and slowly morphed into a grander story of government cover-up, paranoia and mystery. Viewing figures dropped off as it came to the end of it's nine season run so I did wonder why they were making a second big screen adaptation - would there be an audience? After all the original movie didn't do amazing business considering its popularity at the time.

Well it's safe to say that the film on its release drew in the still hardcore fanbase but not much more than that. A $20 million take for a recognised brand is pretty dire for the summer season.

But still I approached I Want To Believe with an open mind. I have to admit that I lost track of the show once Sky got their hands on it. I still have about four seasons on DVD to watch so perhaps some of the plot points in the film went beyond me.

In this film both Mulder and Scully have left the FBI behind. Scully is working as a doctor while Mulder has consigned himself to a house in the middle of nowhere, searching for news clippings which highlight his beliefs in the truth that is out there.

Several women have gone missing, one an FBI agent and the only lead the FBI have are the psychic visions of disgraced former priest (Billy Connolly). The Bureau call on the help of their former employees to establish whether the visions are true or whether they are part of the abduction plot. The usual parameters of X-Files investigation ensue which lead to uncovering some sinister activities.

I Want To Believe is a strange film to judge. I found it held my attention for it's 90-minutes thanks to the dynamic between the two main characters. But as a big screen adventure it does fall short, it's more suited to a feature length TV episode as there's little bang for the buck and the general plot is nothing more than you got throughout the series which makes it's conclusion a little lacklustre.

What I enjoyed is the opposing views of Mulder and Scully. In this film Mulder is a man hesitant to be back in the fold but soon finds himself embroiled in the case. Scully on the other hand has abjections and her morals conflict with the crimes that Connolly's priest has committed. I found this created some interesting drama and good scenes between Gillian Anderson and Billy Connolly, there's also the sexual tension between Mulder and Scully that was always a draw in the show.

Series creator Chris Carter directs things with an assured hand while the score by Mark Snow is very atmospheric, the performances are also well turned in.

If you were a fan of the show then this is well worth a rental, it's a solid film but nothing spectacular.

- The DVD -

Presented in anamorphic widescreen, the film looks great with a bleak colour palette as the film plays out in a wintery location. The soundtrack is also full of atmosphere as Snow's score highlights the dramatic beats.

-Extras -

This is a fox rental disc and as appears to be the norm now, there are no extras on the disc unless you count scene selection. There is a special edition of the film on release, as I haven't seen it I can't pass comment.

- Finally -

I liked this more than I thought I would. The accusations of being a TV movie are both just but also a tad unfair as this was a small budget affair in comparison to the mega budgets of some summer fare.

Summary: Alien Lovers need not apply