Having watched all nine seasons of X-Files the last one and a half year,i have to say that it's one of my favourite tv series.X-Files ended in 2002,although the plan was to continue the show with Robert Patrick and Annabeth Gish as the leads or other actors/actresses in possible future seasons.The sequel to the 1998 movie X-Files:Fight the Future,was supposed to be released shortly after the end of the series,but due to legal matters,it was put on hold.Last year,the project was greenlit,with a screenplay that was ready since 2003(for obvious reasons there were changes to the original screeplay)and with a 35 million $ budget.The title of the sequel:X-Files:I Want to Believe.
This movie is a stand-alone story and not a part of the X-Files mythology.The events take place in real time.Mulder is in hiding and Scully works now in a hospital.The dissappearance of a FBI agent is the cause for the return in the field.We are introduced to two FBI agents,a believer and a skeptic.We are also introduced to Father Joe,a former priest and a convicted pedophile,who claims to have psychic abilities.
In the movie,we see the development of the relationship between Scully and Mulder.Mulder,although hesitant at first,he is willing to return.Scully is reluctant,has reservations,does not to return,she has put the past behind.She has now a responsibility as a doctor and has deal with other matters and she eventually faces a serious dilemma.As the story progresses,the relationship is put to the test,but it is proven how strong it is.
There are several references to the series,which fans will appreciate.And a familiar character also appears.As far as the the plot is concerned,while it's not probably the best X-File,it's engaging and there are nice and interesting elements.The approach here is low-key and not action,effects-driven.The tone is dark but there are funny moments,which mostly come from Mulder.
The chemistry between David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson is still there and their perfomances are good.Amanda Peet and XZibit are adequate and Billy Connolly is pretty good.
The problem with this movie is expectations and lack of interest.Loyal fans,after all these years of waiting,expect a decent movie,dissappointed fans from the last seasons
have low expectations or they don't care and the interest of casual viewers is not high.In my opinion,while the movie at times loses its pace and certainly has other flaws,it's a decent movie,that's worth watching.The fanbase is still strong but is that enough for XF:IWTB to be successful?The answer will be given shortly.Let's hope that X-Files:I Want to Believe is successful enough,so as another movie will be produced,which is planned to be mythology-related and which will give the conclusion to the events set up by the series.
Review written on July 25.
UPDATE (July 30):Sadly,XFIWB grossed only 10 million $ last weekend in the U.S,which is about half of the gross analysts projected (19 million $).
Let's examine some of the reasons for the low opening:
-Lack of interest,decline in popularity:Although the series is still popular (DVD sales and other figures prove it),let's face it,it's not as popular as it was in its prime (when the first movie was released) or even when it ended in 2002.The lack of interest from fans or casual viewers can also be attributed to the wrong marketing of the movie.
-Marketing/Promotion:Considering the fact that for the promotion of Fight the Future Fox spent almost as much money as the budget of the movie(66 million $ budget,60 million $ promotion cost,189 million $ worlwide gross,Fox received 103 million $ (55 %)),it's logical that the studio did not want spent so much money for the promotion of the sequel.However,that does not mean that the promotion should be so quiet.Yes,there were trailers,interviews,tv spots etc.But many people,even fans of series,were not aware of the release of the movie.As it is proven by recent movies,the marketing does not have to be costly but smart and targeted.
-Release date:Releasing XFIWB the second week of release of The Dark Knight was certainly a wrong choice.Add to that,the fact that other movies have the same target audience.
X-Files:I Want To Believe,considering it's low budget (35 million $),will be profitable ( add worldwide box-office and DVD revenue).However,it seems that the odds for a third movie are not much.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
X-Files:I Want To Believe Review UPDATED
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