The X-Files: I Want to Believe (Three-Disc Special Edition) – DVD Review

By June L. Dec 2, 2008, 13:22 GMT

Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny re-team to unravel a bizarre case right out of “The X-Files.” Amidst an eerily deceptive calm, F.B.I. agent Monica Bannan is abducted.  Not only does the search for the missing woman ignite sparks between partners Scully (Anderson) and Mulder (Duchovny), it defies the boundaries of science, the supernatural and the terrifying spaces in between! ...more

X-Files fans have long awaited this movie event, excited by a chance to revisit the mystery and exploration of the unusual that marked the series as a whole. 

This new movie delivers a lot, but is perhaps more subtle than had been expected, devoting much of the film to atmosphere and quality production, rather than revelatory thrills or explosive special effects. 

The X Files cannon is expanded by another chilling story, but the saga does not move forward more than a few paces, which may be disappointing to some.

It was comfortable to see Mulder and Scully working together again.  The audience feels that we are meeting old friends, catching up with them after a time apart.  Such are the accomplishments and skills of David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson as actors, the audience is completely convinced by their performances that they ARE Mulder and Scully. 

And even better, Muldar and Scully six years after we last saw them, doing what we expect them to be doing, moving in directions that are in keeping with their history, lives and personalities. 

That seamless reality is not an easy thing to achieve in films made from series that are current, much less those that have had such a length of time pass. The excellence in acting is further displayed by Billy Connelly and Amanda Peet, as well as Mitch Pileggi and Alvin “Xzibit” Joiner.

It is also a wonderful idea to have the location return to Vancouver for this film.  This alone makes the scenes FEEL right for all the action, even though some set dressing is necessary to make it appear to be the West Virginia scenery of the script. 

The real snow is a positive, adding the force of nature to contend with as well as those elements of the bizarre more familiar as adversaries to the intrepid team.

Actual cold temperatures and ice as portrayed by the gag reel show just how daunting these natural conditions can be in real life for the actors and the crew.

I will not spoil the story for those who have not seen it.  It is X-Files, and while it may not be the plot many fans imagined, or hoped for, it is still interesting and well crafted.  We simply have to allow Mulder and Scully to be in a holding pattern, moving forward with their lives while waiting for more chances to encounter the truth.

The X-Files: I Want to Believe (Three-Disc Special Edition) is presented on two discs.  The first disc contains the theatrical release and the extended version, along with some special features. 

On this disc are deleted scenes, the gag reel, film commentary with Chris Carter and Frank Spotnitz.  Chris Carter talks about the attempts to make the film a green production and there is a featurette aptly named Body Parts and Xzibit’s music video Dying 2 Live. 

The second disc is devoted to the production of X Files I Want to Believe.  In interviews with cast and crew members, many aspects of the film from concept to finished product are discussed. 

Reasons behind choices are revealed, and the audience members are allowed within the inner circle of the creative force behind the production.  It makes a nice companion piece for the film, and will be welcome by fans for all the informative material.

For many there was the hope that this film would tie up loose ends, or provide some thematic resolution or divulge a bit of vastly important knowledge. 

Perhaps for X-Files there can be none of these “endings” as the whole series is built on the idea that oddities exist and there are a dedicated group of people seeking the truth. 

The X-Files: I Want to Believe (Three-Disc Special Edition) is now available at Amazon and AmazonUK. Visit the DVD database for more information.