"Scully, you gotta see this..."      

THE X-FILES (PG-13) 

Reviewed June 21, 1998 - Check out the X-Files Movie web site.

After five years as a highly successful television series on the Fox Network, The X-Files has finally hit the big screen, bringing FBI Agents Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) to movie audiences as they search for truth in their conspiratorial, supernatural world.  Picking up from where last season's finale left off, Mulder and Scully are dealing with the closing of the X-Files, working anti-terrorist duty as they wait for permanent reassignments.  Yup, you'd think that investigating bomb threats is about as far away as you can get from chasing "little green men," but with Mulder on the case, you know it ain't that simple. 

After a major bomb explosion at a Federal building in Dallas, Mulder and Scully begin to uncover pieces of a conspiracy related to a "black cancer" they've run across before--a conspiracy that, as it turns out, spans the globe and goes to the heart of Mulder's never-ending quest for "the truth."  In order not to spoil the plot for anyone, I won't go into any additional details in this review, but I will say this: if you follow the X-Files television series, you should see this film. 

Going in directions that have so far been unexplored in the series, and revealing details that will surely affect the show's future direction, this movie manages to explain quite a bit about the mysterious conspiracy that Mulder and Scully have been chasing for so long.  True to form, of course, the movie simultaneously manages to raise as many questions as it answers, but I suppose that's part of writer/producer Chris Carter's idea of fun.  If you're a fan of the show (as I am), this film should fit right into the confusing jigsaw puzzle Carter and company have laid out so far.  If you're not a fan of the show, do not be afraid...this film is adequately self-contained so that you'll probably understand what's going on fairly quickly.  Unfortunately, there's no question that non-fans will miss many subtle details presented in the film, and for them X-Files the movie may not be more than an interesting (if slightly cryptic) sci-fi adventure drama: worth seeing but not a must-see.  Still, I personally am looking forward to seeing how the TV series picks up from the events that have transpired in this film.

** For all you X-Files diehards out there, be sure to check out our X-Childs piece on this site.  Imagine what Mulder and Scully would have been like...as kids!! **

Responses from cyberspace--thanks for writing!

matrix9986@qwest.net gives this movie  stars: "The movie the X-Files is one of the best movies and film I have ever seen. In the 7th grade I was doing a report on the X-Files and turned it in to my language arts teacher. We went down to the library and read them all out to the class. And from then on I was remembered as the X-Files. It was really cool!!" (2/17/01)

David Rogers gives this movie  stars: "I'm not realy an X-Files fan, I just went to see this with a friend. But heaven help me, I liked it!" (5/6/00)

jessfrogy@prodigy.net gives this movie  star: "this movie was so ghetto the best parts were in the first ten minutes of the film. After that it was utter boredom i really dont know too much about the x-files but i thought i knew enough to watch the movie wrong i didnt understand it at all. the movie sucked" (8/19/99)

Tim the Toolman gives this movie  stars: "5 stars...........need i say more ?" (10/4/98)

Ophelia gives this movie  stars:"Action-packed, scary and fun. I loved the scene where Mulder and Scully nearly kiss -- so intense !!!!! " (10/4/98)

Rose gives this movie  stars: "Great action and some funny parts. Suspenseful from start to finish. Duchovny is so cool !" (10/4/98)

gracejoy_15@hotmail.com gives this movie  stars: "Actually I'm so excited to watch the movie, since I saw it in t.v. All my friends out there are telling me that the movie was really great, then I decided that it's a must for me to see that movie.I'm contented of what I have seen in the movie but honestly speaking, the movie moved too slow." (9/14/98)

Janeway gives this movie  stars: "I thought the movie was Ok, but to be perfectly honest, I'm not much of a fan, and the movie moved too slowly for my tastes. The scenes took forever, and it was halfway through the movie, before they actually did anything. If you're an X-Phile, you'll undoubtedly like it, and if you're big on mysteries too, but I just don't see the appeal" (8/25/98)

mpes59@cwp.net.pa gives this movie  stars: "man, this is real this movie rules, gillian anderson is so sexy I mean she is the best, Iliked this movie because it had a great topic and the effects were so real this is big...this is cool man" (8/7/98)

sbeirne@nsw.bigpond.net.au gives this movie  stars: "As an X-File, it cannot get any better. A perfect 10. As a film, it is easily an 8, due to such a wonderful look, feel, FX, characters and edge-of-your-seat action. In comparison to other action films, this is the only one with a great plot." (8/1/98)

Mulder's Feet gives this movie  stars: "David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson are sooooo cool ! This movie is unfoldable in every way !! I loved it !" (7/25/98)

Christell gives this movie  stars: "I liked this movie for its great plot, well filmed shots, Chris Carter's great screenplay and the interesting characters. The only problem was, that it was a tad confusing. Other than that, top film!" (7/25/98)

Andy gives this movie  stars: "I loved this movie ! Best characters in any movie to this present date. I loved the action, the twisting story and the brilliant effects." (7/25/98)

David gives this movie  stars: "I saw this on the big screen and thumping digital sound and it literally blew me away. Being a fan of The X-Files TV Series I anxiously awaited the film's release. From start to finish every scene is unforgettable. From the front credits I was totally hooked. "The X-Files" come up onto the screen as the black oil, and as being a fan of the 'oil' I was excited to see it show the start of the movie. The opening scene was well done ( in 35,000 BC ) and the cavemen were surprisingly not bad. The alien was scary and horrified me as it lurked in the darkness of the caves and as the audience waited for it to jump out at the people. It had a great cut from the caveman screaming to when 'Stevie' in the present time falling down a hole in the same area. Then the story grew. The bomb sequence was brilliantly done with the special effects good, but some 'forced' comedy was a little stupid. The great explosion scene was excellent, and full credits to its great Special Effects. The characters in this movie are THE best characters in any film made. Scully and Mulder's strength, love and determination ( not to mention intelligence ), grew onto the screen 10 times as much as the TV Series. The Smoking Man had a surprisingly short role, but still was good in every aspect. The Lone Gunman, The Well Manicured Man and Martin Landau's character were all interesting, intriguing and appealing. The story is one of the most complex in any film i've seen, but it was still quite understandable. The plot of the government conspiracies and extra-terrestrial life was fascinating in every way, delving into the X Story and the characters. The action and suspense was very well done, especially near the end - where Scully and Mulder are running in the Arctic, then get lifted up by the UFO, which was brilliant and un-expected. The alien in this X-Files are not just any old 'little green men' but are much more fiersome and horrific. A great last half hour ended which is what is one of the greatest films I've ever seen. The undying love between Mulder and Scully was well brought out in one particular scene where the two agents nearly kiss... oooohhh !! Sooooo close !! They express their true feelings for each other, which is what everyone was dying for. The bee scene was also a favourite, with excellent camera shots, and the frightening look of thousands of bees 'buzzing' everywhere. The movie has it all - great action sequences, brilliant acting, brilliant characters, and a fascinating plot.... A MUST SEE film ! For both X-Philes and non-X-Philes." (7/24/98)

champer@wwd.net gives this movie  stars: "Can't wait for the new tv season to start!" (6/30/98)

nickblaskowski@hotmail.com gives this movie  stars: "I am a fan of the show,saw this movie,I'm going to see it a couple more times. It is great! I wished the Lone Gunmen would have been more involved,though. But,yes,it will interesting how the show continues the events in the movie.I 'm wondering what that Chess kid had to do with it. I'm wondering if the show will deal with the alien virus next season called black cancer. But the movie was great and i heard at the end of next season there will be a sequel!" (6/23/98)