"The X-Files: I Want To Believe" is not a waste of 100 minutes, nor is it a waste of $10. But it isn't a compelling use of time or money either.
The movie is not particularly outstanding, but it's not a bottom-dwelling waste either. It's worth watching for any fan of the series, but it is exactly what series creator Chris Carter billed it as: a long episode of the "Monster of the Week" variety.
The real problem with the movie is that while there isn't anything wrong with it, there really isn't anything right with it. It sits - rather blandly - right in the middle of the spectrum of film quality. It feels like it should have been a made-for-TV movie on the Sci-Fi channel - though thankfully it's nowhere near as bad as most of the utter tripe that Sci-Fi labels as "Sci-Fi Original Movies."
Much like the first "X-Files" film, it belongs in the company of such TV movies as "Battlestar Galactica: Razor" and "Stargate: The Ark of Truth." Neither are bad films, but their creators would never even dream of attempting a theatrical release. That just goes to show the cachet Carter still wields in Hollywood, as well as on the mind of the average viewer.
There isn't much to say about casting. An "X-Files" film, by necessity, is largely precast. Gillian Anderson, David Duchovny and Mitch Pileggi are the only people who will ever be able to fill the roles of Mulder, Scully and Assistant Director Skinner. It is a little disconcerting to have rapper Xzibit - best known for MTV's "Pimp My Ride" - as an FBI agent in an "X-Files" film. Amanda Peet is almost totally forgettable as Special Agent Dakota Whitney.
Nothing much stands out about this movie. It blurs into the television series so well that the average viewer is left wondering why they're watching it in a theater. The plot is fairly unimpressive and largely functions as a vehicle for Mulder to obsess over his long-missing sister, and inevitably, get the crap beat out of him by the bad guy.
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The movie does have a few amusing bits - Mulder and Scully still refer to each other by last name, even in bed. Skinner still has the look on his face he wore in every episode of the TV show - the one that betrays what he is obviously thinking: "What the hell has Mulder gotten me into this time?" There is a two-headed dog. Mulder chases someone. They get away. It pretty much sticks to formula. For the most part, the formula works.
If there is ever a third "X-Files" film, Carter should really try as hard as he can to make sure it's another mythology story. Those at least have the potential to make the viewer care about what's happening. This time around? Not so much. But it is a good way to zone out for two hours and eat popcorn. It also reminds viewers that the second season of "Californication" can't come soon enough.
"The X-Files: I Want To Believe"
Grade: B-
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