Created and Written by Chris Carter (from the TV Series)
Directed by Rob Bowman
Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) are two
FBI agents that investigate the 'X' Files, those cases that defy logic
and are usually brushed under the proverbial office rug. The opening
of the movie slides deftly between something that happens 35,000 years
ago, and the present situations: Mulder and Scully locating a bomb in
Dallas, and mysterious going's on underground in the Texan desert. It
is the linking of these three that is the plot and drama of the film.
Clever, one might say, but somehow the events seem a little weak.
The
'making' of this movie is that it hinges upon a suave pretext - it rests
upon the laurels of the television series' successful blend of paranoia
versus the paranormal. To begin, this creates a niche for the movie.
But if you're looking for a one-off spook then keep looking. The X Files
Movie is one for insiders. Producers say the end of the television
series leads into the movie, and then the film back into the following
series. A novel approach, but it definately poses several issues.
On the positive side, it is a treat for followers of the series.
There is not much screen time spent on the 'history' of the characters
and situation. On the negative, the movie seems to lack a certain edge
that would make it stand alone.
Mulder and Scully are superb. As characters they are believable and
yet just touch on impossibility. Mulder handsome yet vague, continues
to be troubled by his profound belief in the paranormal, after
experiencing the loss of a sister to an alien abduction. As an agent
he uses his intuition and can often be found guided by his heart. It
is this that gives him the passion to follow through when things in
Dallas just don't 'seem' right. Scully with her scientific intensity
is well balanced by her fantastic pout. There is some luscious chemistry
going on - surely they get to kiss in the movie? That secret is safe
here. It has to be said that the acting is tremendous. Perhaps
especially as they have the series to 'live up' to, but perhaps aided
by that. It is very easy for the audience to be caught up in these
two lead characters, the empathy is there.
The offset of this is two-fold. Other characters are somewhat
overshadowed and this is a definate limitation as the acting was
exceptional throughout the cast. Martin Landau was brilliant as
the creepy tipster 'Kurtzweil' who tells us of the global conspiracy
by FEMA the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and John Neville as
the 'Well-Manicured Man' so perfectly poised amongst the American
line-up.
What is disappointing was the lack of screen time for Mitch
Pileggi 'Skinner' and William B. Davis 'The Ciggarette-Smoking Man'.
These are quite central characters in the television series and some
expectation is there for them to be developed further. Definately if
the series did not exist, this would be a major character short-fall
within the film. They both are given lead roles - why so minimalist
one wonders? It certainly presumes that the audience is in the x
files club.
Despite what may read as a disparaging account of the X Files Movie,
I would thoroughly recommend it. Even brilliance does not blind the
viewer to flaws. If you watch the series then you are in for a treat,
the film is skillfully debuted on the large screen. If you have ever
watched an episode and wished that it was longer, then the movie is
your wish on a platter. The atmospherics, effects and acting are
awesome. Just don't expect much more.
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