 
The X-Files: I Want to Believea.k.a. “The X-Files 2,” “The X Files 2,” “The X Files: Done One,” “Los Expedientes secretos X - Quiero creer,” “Akte X: Jenseits der Wahrheit,” “Los Expedientes secretos X 2,” “Ficheiros Secretos: Quero Acreditar,” “The X-Files Movie,” “X-Files - Voglio crederci,” “X-Files: Regeneration,” “X-Files: Usko koetuksella”MPAA Rating:
 for violent and disturbing content and thematic material.Reviewed by: Jonathan Rodriguez Offensive
Moviemaking Quality:
Primary Audience:
Adults
Genre:
Sci-Fi, Drama, Mystery, Sequel
Length:
1 hr. 40 min.
Year of Release:
2008
USA Release:
July 25, 2008 (3,100 theaters)
 
Relevant Issues
Abuse
I think I was sexually abused, but I'm not sure. What is sexual abuse, and what can I do to stop the trauma I am facing now? Answer Does God feel our pain? Answer Why does God allow innocent people to suffer? Answer God
How can we know there’s a God? Answer What if the cosmos is all that there is? Answer If God made everything, who made God? Answer What does God say? Answer  Discover the good news that Jesus Christ offers
Aliens (extraterrestrials)
What does the Bible say about intelligent life on other planets? Answer Are we alone in the universe? Answer Does Scripture refer to life in space? Answer Questions and Answers about The Origin of Life Answer How does viewing violence in movies affect the family? Answer
“To find the truth, you must believe.” Ten years after “The X-Files: Fight the Future” hit movie theaters, and six years after the television show ended its run (which Entertainment Weekly recently ranked as the fourth best show over the last twenty-five years), creator/director/co-writer Chris Carter returns his hit show to the big screen with “The X-Files: I Want To Believe.” The question about the movie this time around is basically the same as when the first movie came out: Can the film satisfy hardcore X-Philes, while at the same time appeal to those not familiar with the show? As the movie opens, FBI agents are thoroughly searching a snow covered field for a body, possibly of a fellow agent who went missing a few days earlier. They are following Father Joe (Billy Connolly), a white-haired, former priest/convicted pedophile who claims to have had a psychic vision of where the body is located. When they begin to dig where the priest directs them, they make a grisly discover that proves the FBI agent may still be alive, and that the priest may possess an actual gift of seeing the unseen. The agent in charge of the investigation (Amanda Peet) isn't experienced in dealing with things “otherwordly,” so she contacts former agent Scully to locate the only agent she knows who might be able to handle the case, Fox Mulder, who is living incognito far away from the lights of Washington D.C. Mulder is reluctant to help, but Scully prods him until he agrees. He does have one condition though, and that is that Scully joins him on the case. It isn't an easy case for anyone, especially for Scully who loathes the priest for what he did in the past, and believes his psychic visions are a fraud. She is also distracted by a situation that has developed at the hospital where she now works as a respected surgeon. Father Joe can sense her trepidation and gives her a warning that Scully is none to open to receiving. When another girl goes missing, the search intensifies, and each person must confront their own inner struggles while trying to save those taken captive before the unthinkable is done to them. Just the fact that Mulder and Scully are back will likely draw many to the theaters over the next few weeks, but is it quality entertainment for Christian audiences? The language in the film is fairly tame. There are a few uses a mild profanities, as well as a couple uses of the Lord's name in vain. Sexual content is minimal as well; one innuendo is heard, but may not be caught by many people. Father Joe is said to have molested 37 young boys, and Scully makes a crude comment about it when first meeting him. It is brought up a few times throughout the film, and one of his victims is said to have gone on to become married in a civil union to another man. Catholic priests, in general, are not really looked well upon in the film, as in another scene where a young boy in Scully's hospital mentions to her how he feels uncomfortable with the way a priest is looking at him. Some Christians may be bothered by the political tone this movie takes on, and one scene in particular has the camera panning down the walls of the FBI office, and stops on a photo of President Bush. The sound effect that accompanies this is frankly ridiculous, and feels quite forced, taking you briefly out of the movie completely, whether you like President Bush or not. The main drawback, though, will likely be the violence. We see people getting clawed with garden utensils, severed body parts, kidnappings, bizarre surgeries, eyes dripping blood, and a gruesome offscreen death by falling onto a sharp object. I wouldn't recommend this film be seen by children or younger teenagers; its adult themes and content will likely not appeal that much to them anyway. The film carries a fairly ominous tone throughout, so parents should seriously consider whether taking their children to this movie. “The X-Files: I Want to Believe” also contains a surprising amount of spiritual content. God is mentioned more in this film than I remember seeing in any of the episodes, and each character seems to be experiencing their own inner struggles with “believing,” not in aliens, but believing in God and His way. Scully bears her soul to Mulder in one scene, saying she can't sleep because she is too busy cursing God for allowing a young patient of hers to have been born in to the world with a seemingly incurable disease. Father Joe is extremely repentant of the horrible acts he committed, and prays vigorously for God's forgiveness, not sure he will ever receive it; Scully doesn't think he deserves it anyway. Mulder must determine whether Father Joe is being used by God to lead him to the victims, or if he is simply a gifted con-artist. For a show that boasted the famous line “Trust no one,” the movie makes the concept of trust vital to each character's survival. The idea of God sending psychic visions to a priest as a way to vindicate him for sins he committed doesn't exactly seem scriptural, but the film goes with it, nonetheless. As Christians, we know that Christ died for the sins of the world, and a repentant Father Joe would have received forgiveness from God without needing to prove himself, or earn it in any way. This may or may not sound interesting to you. I have tried to keep the basic story fairly vague as to not reveal certain twists and turns of the plot. I must say, though, that after waiting ten years for a new movie, I was rather disappointed with the result. As a stand alone film though, it isn't full of details only the serious fan would know, so it could appeal to a broader audience. Frankly, you could pick from a hat full of old episode ideas, and I'd guess 90% of the time you'd come up with a story far more interesting than this one. There is very little urgency to what goes on in this film, and I responded to the film's lack of urgency by, well, not responding to the film at all. It's great to see Mulder and Scully back together, and David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson could take thirty years off and still have the chemistry. But the rest of the cast seems completely out of place. Amanda Peet and the rapper Xzibit (as another FBI agent) are about as believable in their roles as Kermit and Miss Piggy would have been. Billy Connolly is fine with what he has to work with, but Father Joe just simply isn't all that interesting of a character, and generates little feeling from the viewer one way or another. During the movie, I kept thinking how if this film's story had been moved to a different, non X-File movie, and had starred anybody else instead of Mulder and Scully, I would have been bored senseless. I fidgeted watching this movie, and looked at my watch often, wishing it would end. I, personally, wanted to believe that ten years was time enough to craft an ingenious film for some of the most beloved characters in recent history, but my trust seems to have been sorely misplaced. Violence: Heavy / Profanity: Minor / Sex/Nudity: Minor See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.   Comments below:
Negative
Negative - I did not see the other reviews mention the stem cell research theme. It was blatant and in your face for harvesting of aborted baby embryos. Hard to square this with the lives they are trying to save. The direct pot shot at Bush was so blatant that it made you want to hurl. Hard to believe these hollywood elites can be so shameless. Just goes to show what living in the flesh will result in. No one should be surprised. I like the x-files when it is an escape from reality. When it is one pot shot after another on conservative reality, it becomes a waste of time. Dont go see. Negative - I just got back from viewing the new X-files movie. To say the least i'm unimpressed. If you've ever seen the first X-files movie you will see the difference. This movie was lame. There was very little profanity which is a plus compared to the original movie. I guess I expected more of a plot including government conspiracies, aliens, illuminati, etc. This movie isn't worth your money to go to a theater and see. Wait for it to come out on DVD. Even though it wasn't very good compared to the first one, it is worth seeing on DVD. This movie is not for children as their are some pretty gruesome scenes. I did find the ex-priest Father Joe's homosexual relationship to be offensive. There did seem to be a slight prejudice toward things of faith early on. But, toward the end it seemed to affirm that faith in God is good. My review, skip it at the theater and wait to watch it on DVD if you want. If you skip it altogether you won't have missed much. Positive
Positive - Prior to seeing this flick, I had no knowledge of the show's inner mechanics or workings other than the two stars' names. Mulder and Scully. Neutral
Neutral - I thought this movie didn't feel like x-files. It felt more like C.S.I. With that said, I thought it had an interesting plot. The language wasn't too-too bad. All in all, I found this movie enjoyable Neutral - I was anxious to see this film as I was a big fan of the show. I have to admit that I was disappointed after I saw it. I agree with the reviewer in that any number of episodes from the television series were more interesting. Neutral - As a huge X-Phile (X-Files fan), I knew from the moment I heard about this film that I wanted to see it. Even though the cast would be older and their dynamic changed over the 6 years (10 for the big screen) since we saw them last, I was absolutely certain it'd be a great ride. Well... yes and no. Neutral - First let me say I loved the tv show. That said, as an X-Files 'episode' I rate it a 2 on a scale of 0-10 (10 being great). As a 'tv drama' it would get an 8. After all these years to think about it you'd think Chris Carter could have come up with something a whole lot better! I won't be buying the dvd. Young children shouldn't see this one. There are Christian undertones and issues here that seem more plentiful than in X-Files of the past but nothing IMHO that is overtly Christian. Although Sculley 'believes', her and Muldur are shown in bed together-not being married. Comments from young people
Positive - I would definitely have to agree with the statements that this movie is, in many places, rather gory for what I expected from the X-Files. I was actually surprised by some of what was shown, and I was forced on a few occasions to look briefly away from the screen. That being said, the gore was rather sporadic and momentary, and a glance away from the screen could save you from seeing that. Movie Critics
“…Blood/Gore: Heavy… including severed heads, an arm, a dog's head, etc.…” “…Gruesome ‘X-Files’ for fans only… too nightmarish and gruesome for children. At times, it reminded me of one of those “Saw” and “Hostel” films.…” “…Predictable plot lacks history, mystery of TV cult hit… Removing everything fans of "The X-Files" loved about the show leaves precious little to believe in.” “…‘X-Files’ sequel is way out there… Inconsistent action and packed with cliches, this tale won't attract new believers.…” “…The surprise is the film’s lack of visual distinction. …Gillian Anderson keeps it interesting, but newest chapter no improvement on predecessors…” |
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