An X-files movie without any aliens. I remember many folks making that complaint back when this movie came out. The iconic six note music always made your hair stand on end as a kid when the TV show came on. That creepiness into the unknown of the paranormal and supernatural that pervaded the 90’s imagination.
But this movie had little to none of that. The main themes seemed to be about belief in God through Scully. It was not really what I expected when one has been brought up on the TV show. Sure there are two headed dogs and a psychic priest played by Billy Connolly. But the presence of Xzibit as the sceptical FBI agent kinda threw me. I wonder about the decision-making behind that casting. Not that he did a particularly bad job, but it wasn’t a role I would have put him in. Perhaps my romanticism for the original TV show has warped my perspective. And I did chuckle rather than get choked-up when Skinner cradled Mulder in his arms.
Overall the movie somehow felt more camp than the TV show while simultaneously being more serious. The target audience for this film doesn’t feel like the same audience who loved the show. I was ready for them to get weird with it, but they stayed in the relatively rehashed thriller tropes. They added a dash of ethical dilemma and a sprinkle of the most mild paranormal phenomena and then questioned God. I found it a little dull, even though the actors did their best. I don’t think I’d watch the film again. But I will watch the TV show again.
