Did anyone see the new X-Files movie?

Richard · Post by **Richard** » Tue Aug 12, 2008 2:23 pm

Did anyone see the new X-Files movie?

Being a fan going back to the Second Season in the early 90s, I had to see it and was greatly disappointed.

Maybe its just me, but I felt like I was watching a rather drab mediocre episode of the show. I don't want to get into any plot details or spoilers, but I didn't even find it an interesting Mulder-Scully character study. There was something missing.

When I heard in the press that it was going to be a Monster-of-the-Week, I thought it would rank up there with some of their funnier and more innovative episodes like “Jose Chung’s From Outer Space” and “Humbug” or have the dramatic intensity of such great episodes as “Beyond The Sea” or “Memento Mori.” Instead, I watched a limp lame poorly thought-out jumble which didn’t make any sense. There were plot holes you could drive a freight-train through.

The fate of the X-Files is tragic considering how the producers had the attention of the entire world with one of the best shows ever produced for television. They could have hired the best writers in the world -- with people like Stephen King and William Gibson writing an occasional episode and most of the writers on the planet chomping at the bit to script an episode, they could have gotten people like Clive Barker or Alan Moore or Neil Gaiman in a heartbeat. And they even had Darin Morgan who was responsible for some of the most intelligent and clever episodes produced for the show. So why stick with the same three guys who churned out one lame conspiracy-arch script after another, time after time. It just doesn’t make sense.

Didn't Chris Carter hear the collective voice of the critics that the show was turning into a lame version of itself? Couldnt he have made some hard choices by hiring a new creative staff to revitalize the show? And when he had six years to prepare the movie, couldn't he have come up with a better script than this?

The best thing about the movie, I suppose, is that Gillian Anderson real can act. She's terrific in this film. I remember watching one scene between her and Mulder and thinking, "Wow, look at that. One of them is acting and the other isn't." The last time I felt that way was watching Kirk and Picard share the camera frame in Star Trek: Generations (Two Captains! One Actor!!) Seriously, Anderson is the best thing about the film and its a shame she doesn't make more movies.

Grrr….I’m very disappointed. There was a few cute or poignant moments, but in general I felt like I was reading one of the novel spin-offs or a Gold Key comic book version of the X-Files rather than watching a re-union of one of the most engaging characters in modern television history.

Kat · Post by **Kat** » Wed Aug 13, 2008 3:10 am

Nope didn't see it! Nope haven't even seen an X-Files segment of an X-Files broadcast on TV. I missed the whole phenomenon. That's too bad tho, Richard. The coming attractions hyped on TV made it sound pretty good...

Nadzieja · Post by **Nadzieja** » Wed Aug 13, 2008 3:47 am

I used to watch the X-files all the time and loved the show. I'm still going to see the movie but I guess now will wait until it's on DVD. Sorry you were disappointed Richard, because when you like a series and it ends any movie that follows you just expect it to be really good, especially with all the writers that really liked the show.

Richard · Post by **Richard** » Wed Aug 13, 2008 8:51 am

Kat, if you ever do decide to check out the X-Files, don't start with this movie.

The show wasn't just about UFOs. They had excellent horror stories and some really creepy serial killer stuff.

kssunflower · Post by **kssunflower** » Wed Aug 13, 2008 9:45 am

Richard, I saw it a couple weeks ago and was just as disappointed. But I read Chris Carter said it wasn't controversial before I saw the movie, so I wasn't expecting much. And you're right, Scully was great in this. David Duchovny seemed to just phone his role in. Sad to think this mediocre film is even associated with the original, ground breaking series.

Kat · Post by **Kat** » Thu Aug 14, 2008 3:13 am

Maybe I would like the movie if I had nothing to compare it to?

It would be good if "The X Files" could answer a simple burning question I have:
How do I get a big ole' smear on one lens of my recently cleaned glasses when I've not touched them, moved, sneezed, or barely breathed?
This is an unexplained mystery.

I think it might be ectoplasm going by, really really fast...

kssunflower · Post by **kssunflower** » Thu Aug 14, 2008 7:53 pm

Kat, I think I'd consult TAPS on that one....