I have read the other reviews across the web, I have heard all the internet cry out in almost a unified voice : “The X-Files (2) : I Want To Believe movie stinks”. I suppose they would be correct if one compared it to the previous film made during the TV series run, the well handled Fight The Future which not only dealt with the alien conspiracy, but expanded the scope of the series, with a bigger budget, slimy aliens, explosions, attacks from swarms of mutant killer bees and making an escape on icy snowdrifts. Mulder and Scully are back again on more ice and snow- several years after the TV series closed down. There are no government conspiracies nor infectious oil slicks in this new film. What we get instead is a character study, a film which is more character driven than plot driven. Apparently, today’s audiences are such a fickle bunch that as days go by I become more and more out of touch with the rest of society…

Let me put it another way. It is quite possible to be disappointed that instead of aliens-or even the production’s misdirection of werewolves in early press releases- we get something close to a Re-Animator a dash of serial killer thriller mixed in with some of the best X-Files episodes dealing with psychic phenomena. There’s also a side story, although mostly unrelated to the “new” case, as Scully (Gillian Anderson) stands up to not the big shots in the FBI, but the local hospital ‘politics’ where she now works at. Mulder (David Duchovny), on the other hand, who has been living with Scully for the last few years, is, at best, a recluse. He’s “wanted” by the FBI, but not a top priority. The feeling is, if he leaves them alone (or should we say, ‘conspiracy’) alone, they will turn a blind eye on him.

The film then kicks in to the core of the film’s central theme, redemption. In spite of having a psychic helping them, the local FBI (Amanda Peet and Alvin ‘Xzibit’ Joiner) enlists the help of former agent Fox Mulder. If he helps them out in finding a missing agent and profiling the psychic himself, all the bad blood between him and the FBI will be forgiven. The problem is the psychic is a former priest and convicted pedophile Father Joseph Crissman, (Billy Connolly) who may, or may not have a connection to the kidnapper. Crissman leads them to clues, mostly severed hands and other body parts. Mulder has Scully helping out, and issues of his redemption, if not obsession buzz for answers come up-and threaten their relationship. The trick here that the relationship is not just on a professional level, but more personal. In addition, Scully, who is Catholic, has nothing but disgust for the former priest, who is remorseful over his sins, and sees that his gift is part of his redemption. Meanwhile, the kidnapper abducts another victim due to her blood type, and to use her in some sort of illegal and frightening experiment.

The film raises many questions regarding redemption and who is “worthy” of such redemption and forgiveness, and other thought provoking moral issues without getting preachy over them or taking sides. This I enjoyed about the film, that it is something more than slimy aliens and government conspiracies. It could actually pass as a stand alone film if nobody knew the past histories of the the two lead characters. The film itself passed on by theatres and seemed to suggest going out with a somber whimper instead of a big bang. However, if this is the last Files it is much more satisfying than the series entire last season on the air, and has a decent conclusion. If this isn’t the end, I hope it doesn’t go back to explosions, killer bees and alien vaccines.

*****

The X-Files: I Want To Believe

Starring: David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Billy Connolly, Amanda Peet, Xzibit and Mitch Pileggi.

Directed by: Chris Carter