The X Files

After an explosion reminiscent of the Oklahoma City bombing, FBI agents Mulder and Scully stumble on an otherworldly virus and an intricate governmental cover-up. Their investigation leads them all over the map and, ultimately, to Antarctica, with numerous mysterious happenings and shadowy meetings.

Originally known simply as "The X Files" but later as "The X-Files: Fight the Future," this 1998 film is essentially an elongated episode of the TV series with a bigger budget. I've never been more than a casual viewer (seeing 10-12 of the top-rated episodes) and, to me, this film pretty much represents the best the series had to offer, except that I favor the MOTW episodes as opposed to the alien conspiracy ones. "Clyde Bruckman's Final Repose" from season 3 is a good example. I just prefer the human interest and uniqueness of such episodes compared to the listless redundancy of the alien conspiracy segments.

Everyone knows that creator Chris Carter was inspired by The Night Stalker TV Series/movies when he formulated the show. Whereas that brief 70s' series was overt and almost cartoony with its depictions of the paranormal, The X Files always took a more subdued, realistic approach. To some, this made it boring; to others, fascinating; to me, a mixture of both.

The way the plot in the movie unfolds is similar to "Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark," albeit grimmer and quasi-believable. Other than the paranormal, the appeal of The X Files has always been Gillian Anderson. What a uniquely beautiful redhead with her intelligent, cynical expressions.

There are some glaring geographical problems, unfortunately. For instance, Dallas is located in east Texas, which is technically on the eastern side of the USA and looks it; it's very green. There are no desert-like landscapes anywhere close. Producers obviously did this to save on costs, but why not have those particular sequences take place outside of El Paso in west Texas? Or how about nearby Santa Fe or Albuquerque, New Mexico? Furthermore, a car trip from Dallas to DC takes 20 hours, not a single night's drive as shown; not to mention traveling from Dallas to the Mexican border takes over 9 hours, not a couple of hours.

It runs 2 hours, 2 minutes (with the Theatrical Release running a minute or two shorter) and was shot in California, British Columbia, Texas, New Jersey, London and Washington DC.

GRADE: B/B+

If you remember a little decade called "The '90's", you'll definitely remember that The X-Files was one of the biggest shows of that decade. The X-Files had so many different fans, I have to admit that I was a fan, not so much to the extent as many others were, but I enjoyed the show. However, I think because my friend rubbed it in my face so much of how much this show was the best television show to ever hit the air waves, I steered clear of the movie. But I was renting movies the other day and came across The X-Files, and figured to just give the movie a shot, it's been how many years since the show ended? But I watched it last night and I liked the movie. I think the only thing is, is this was a movie that was definitely made for the fans and no one else, because if you didn't watch the show, you won't get into the movie.

Mulder and Scully are on the case again after they learn of a deadly "virus" that is killing off the planet. Of course the government is covering it up, making it seem like it's more of a terrorist or a horrible flu. Mulder wants to make the truth known, but Scully has just given up, that is until she is attacked by a bug carrying the virus and Mulder will not give up on her. He saves her, but she needs more strength if they are to make it out of this situation alive.

The X-Files the movie is a cool sci fi film, if you are not a fan or didn't watch the series, there is a small chance you'll get into the film. But this was a definite treat for the fans, this is the film they wanted and as much as I hate this saying, The X-Files is just an extended episode with a bigger budget, but it's still a cool film. I liked it, Mulder and Scully always provide perfect entertainment and I just love Mulder going into his infamous speeches of "the truth is out there", so over dramatic, but you gotta love his passion in it. The X-Files is worth the look, it's a fun film and is cool sci-fi.

7/10

The X-Files' first movie is great. It has a clever, yet complicated, plot. The movie tackles the alien conspiracy head on, connecting some plot details from the show. But like an episode of the show, only a small piece of the puzzle is explained. The movie is a scary and thrilling sci-fi movie. All that's missing is a sequel.

In 35,000 BC northern Texas, two men enter an ice cave to find shelter. They battle a mysterious creature. A black substance oozes from the creature and infects one of the men. In the present day, a boy falls into the cave and is infected by the black ooze. Firefighters climb in and are also attacked. One week later, the FBI is checking on a bomb threat in Dallas. Special Agents Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) go to the building across the street on a hunch. They find the bomb and barely escape. The pair is made the scapegoats. Alvin Kurtzweil (Martin Landau) tells Fox that FEMA has a secret isolation ward in the building. The boy and the firefighters are found in the rubble presumed to be killed by the blast.

Mulder and Scully's banter is back almost immediately. Everything that is beloved about the show is present in this movie. They are the outsiders. There is a conspiracy. There is something creepy. This is what true fans of the show love. For non-fans, this can be a bit of a climb to understand everything.

Well-paced and well-crafted, "The X-Files" is a surprisingly good movie that does not try to get cute and go away from the things that made the series such a national phenomenon. David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson seem out of place working with bomb squads and doing other mundane duties after their department is shut down by the government. However the two feel that something really major is up which involves alien colonization on Earth and a vast government cover-up that goes through the highest places in the U.S. political realm. A good screenplay and solid direction make "The X-Files" a first-rate film from a very good cinematic year. 4 stars out of 5.