Greetings, citizens! It is I, Robogeek, coming at you with 1.8 gigawatts of movie reviewing power! It's been awhile since I've reviewed a film on these pages, since I've been criss-crossing the globe on various secret missions for His Eminence. (In fact, I'm preparing a follow-up Disney/Miyazaki report that will appear on this very site later this week!) Yet I have had the chance to see a few really wonderful films recently that is, those films that represent my fondest hopes that this may prove to be the greatest summer for movie coolness in many years. Films like "Armageddon," "Saving Private Ryan," "The Negotiator," and "The Mask of Zorro." Somehow, "The X-Files" just sort of snuck up on me while I wasn't paying attention.
Here's my thing: I'm seriously into "The X-Files." I've watched this show since day one, before all these other millions of people jumped on the bandwagon -- back when it was a cool, semi-secret, burgeoning underground phenomenon, totally under the radar of the mainstream. It was the first TV show since "Twin Peaks" to have generated a true obsession in me. I have watched every episode, and archived many of them on tape. I've thrown "X-Files" parties. I went to one of the first "X-Files" conventions. I have a Mulder trench coat (with an Agent Cooper microcassette recorder in the pocket, natch). I like Scully for her mind. I am A Fan.
And, as any fan, I've had my ups and downs with "The X-Files" over the past five years. There have been times when my faith has been tested. I have swung back and forth between my "inner Mulder" and my "inner Scully" -- devotion and doubt, arm and arm as the journey has unfolded. And, after seeing "The X-Files" on the big screen earlier today, I can't help but think to myself that the journey is indeed the reward. But I'm getting ahead of myself.
When I first heard they were doing an "X-Files" movie a film that offered no compelling evolution for loyal followers, nor a coherent and engaging story for "newbies"?
Complicating the issue was the revelation that "The X-Files" series would continue into a sixth season after the film. Has a first-run television drama ever co-existed as a feature film? Not that I recall. Would they be stretching themselves too thin? Oh, and then there was the whole matter of whether or not the entire fifth season would prove lethargic, as the creators could only do so much while biding their time for the film -- which had already been written and had to be conformed to.
Given all these questions, I tried to put "The X-Files" movie out of my mind. Like Harry, I avoided reading any of the advance reviews, or the script. It seemed, in the back of my head, destined for failure, or at best disappointing mediocrity. Meanwhile, I watched the fifth season progress in unexpected and inspired ways, which gave me hope. Finally, this morning, I picked up Harry and Father Geek in the RoboMobile (American made!) and headed to a press screening of "The X-Files."
First of all, let me clear something up that's been annoying the hell out of me. The movie is "The X-Files." It is NOT called "The X-Files: Fight The Future." I am SICK of that! That's just an ad line, a promo slogan! "Fight The Future" is nowhere to be found in the credits or titles (though it is a phrase that figures into the film). It's just "The X-Files," dammit! Okay. I just had to get that off my chest.
For five years, "The X-Files" series has been crafting exquisite "mini-features" week after week, somewhat clautrophobically confined by the small screen. Indeed, many of their two-part "arc" episodes have put most Hollywood films to shame. And for five years, I have dreamed of seeing "The X-Files" aesthetically unleashed onto the silver screen, where I could enjoy its breathtaking cinematography (the best on television, ever) on the richness of film, where I could be swept away by vivid digital surround sound, where I could be bathed in a full symphonic Mark Snow score, where I could be transported across far-flung locations, where I could see Duchovny and Anderson rise to the occasion, and where I could see the journey ascend to new heights through an evolutionary step forward in the "arc" narrative.
That dream has been realized. Chris Carter, take a bow.
Is the film perfect? No. Is it stunningly awesome? No. Will it answer all your questions? No. Is it solid? Yes. Is it cool? Yes. And as for whether "the truth is in there," well, yes -- just not all of it. But certainly enough, I think.
I really, really, really like the film. Love it? Almost. It is very, very, very good. Great? Almost. If I had to rate it out of four stars, I'd give it three, or maybe even three-and-a-half, considering the "level of difficulty" inherent to the challenge of realizing a wholly successful "X-Files" film, what with everything going against it. Allow me to elaborate:
Here's what surprised me about the film. I'd been looking at it this way and it'll make them want to watch the series. At the same time, every fan of the show is going to _have_ to see it, and be glad they did. This, ladies and gentlemen, is creative synergy. I must say, I was impressed.
"The X-Files" avoids the pitfalls of the "Twin Peaks" movie (and the "Star Trek: The Next Generation" movies, for that matter) largely due to the fact that it has thought cinematically from day one. But it really is quite a hat trick to make a film that will, I feel, satisfy fans while at the same time potentially recruit new ones. After five seasons of the series, this is an amazing shot in the arm, as it not only reinvigorates the "arc" storyline, but it creates a "point-of-entry" for people who may have sampled the series but been lost in the web of plots and sub-plots, and given up. The real test now is to see how Carter and Co. take advantage of this into the sixth season and beyond. After the film, I was left with a rejuvinated enthusiasm for the series due to the new doors that the film opens; I only hope that we get to walk through them once the series starts up again.
WARNING: SPOILERS are scattered throughout the following sections.
The films opens at 35,000 B.C. in North Texas, in a really evocative opening sequence that instantly expands the scope of the existing "arc" narrative, and lays the groundwork for the film's story, which quickly unfolds. Within minutes, we find ourselves in Dallas, where Mulder and Scully have been reassigned after the closing of the "X-Files" in the fifth season finale. They're there to try and prevent a mysterious bombing that serves as the catalyst for the story, which advances briskly.
The movie ascends to more mythic heights than the series has perhaps even reached for, and frames Mulder and Scully in a more epic context as they get closer to the full scope of the larger mysteries they're only scratched the surface of over the last five years. There's more at risk but don't panic! It's fine, but it opens up some questions for the new season. And, actually, that can be said for the film overall.
I do have a few quibbles about the film, which I might as well get out of the way. First off, I found the casting of Terry O'Quinn (in a small but pivotal role early in the film) quite distracting, since he is playing a part other than Peter Watts of the Millennium Group. (What, you don't watch Millennium? Well, you should!) Given that "The X-Files" and "Millennium" share the same universe, and there have been many hints of an eventual cross-over/convergence, this just seemed really weird to me. This is compounded by a "tease" in the film which casual viewers might not catch, but die-hard "X-Files"/"Millennium" fans will gasp at. Bear with me a sec, here... Remember that Scully episode where she got a tattoo? Of an ourabouros? Coincidentally the symbol of the Millennium Group? And have you noticed that Scully's been having more than a few "religious experiences" lately? And that the Millennium Group's activities are focused in a very similar vein? Well, there's a point in the film where I was on the edge of my seat, presented with a stunning, revelatory possibility, thinking "Oh, my God! Scully is going to leave the FBI and join the Millennium Group!" Well, not yet, anyway. But it sure did make me wonder what Carter's got planned -- especially since he's signed for another two years, and has stated he'll be taking a more active role in "Millennium" this season. There are some ripe opportunites here, methinks, and I'd keep my eyes peeled for them.
Beyond that, I'd have to say that everything about this film is pretty rock-solid, and darned impressive. Overall, the film is consistent with the series, but everything is heightened. Technically, the film is outstanding across the board but the movie belongs to Duchovny and Anderson, who are really in good form here.
IN CONCLUSION: If you're a fan of the movie, stop worrying and get in line at the box office! As long as you have reasonable expectations for the film, you're probably going to want to see it more than once. Just think of it as a really kick-ass, big budget two- or three-part episode that you get to see widescreen, on film, with an audience, in digital THX, and you won't be anywhere near disappointed. You'll get some questions answered, just not all of them. (But then if Carter showed you all his cards, what would be left for the next season I just wouldn't bring children under twelve.
Until next time,
