"X-philes” cannot help going into "The X-Files: I Want to Believe” with enormous expectations. The 1993-2001 television series gave birth to a vast mythology filled with characters and details that continue to haunt fans' daydreams and nightmares.
But creator Chris Carter's decision to resist unearthing that mythology with the second "X-Files” feature film should come as no surprise, since the series always zigged when everyone expected a zag. "The X-Files: I Want to Believe” stands alone — Eugene Tooms, Flukeman, the chupacabra, and the Lone Gunmen are not riding again. But fans will enjoy a depth to the portrayals of Dana Scully and Fox Mulder that newcomers will likely miss.
Seven years after the final episode, Scully (Gillian Anderson) is practicing medicine at a Virginia hospital, where she specializes in genetic disorders. Long-discredited Mulder (David Duchovny) is hirsute and living in seclusion. But the disappearance of an FBI agent under suitably bizarre circumstances and the psychic pronouncements of a disgraced priest (Billy Connolly) force the bureau to call the two former agents in for consultation.
Both Scully and Mulder have reasons for being involved: More people with shared medical profiles disappear, and Mulder is the only person willing to accept the priest's knowledge. The investigation leads to horrific events straight out of Mary Shelley, and few of the current agents (Amanda Peet, Alvin "Xzibit” Joiner) know how to navigate such territory or even want to believe.
The most pleasant surprise from "The X-Files: I Want to Believe” is how the Mulder/Scully relationship has deep-ened. Anderson finds more emotion in her character than she did at any point in the series, and Duchovny radiates the right level of sarcasm and charm.
It's hard not to be somewhat disappointed, because we all carry baggage to this reunion, but the best way to view "The X-Files: I Want to Believe” is as a strong late episode of the series. It will remind fans just how much they miss tuning in, week after week, to see whether the truth is out there.
— George Lang
