Monday, July 28, 2008

‘I Want to Believe’ closes ‘X-Files’ book

By Katie Libecco

There’s something comforting about Mulder and Scully holding hands, even if it’s in the midst of gathering limbs.

The plot of “X-Files: I Want to Believe” is pretty out-there, but I question if is it any farther-fetched than the majority of episodes from the nine seasons it aired. Or, for that matter, any sillier than “Mamma Mia”?

Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) is called back to the FBI to assist a case involving a psychic (Billy Connolly). Shortly in, we find that Mulder and Dana Scully (Gilliam Anderson) have (finally) shacked up. The well-known discord between their beliefs is illustrated in an absurd chase of pretty girls gone missing.

Thanks to the direction of Chris Carter, the plot of “X-Files: I Want to Believe” has lots of references to the television series, including the famous “I Want to Believe” poster and Skinner. There are references to past investigations, Mulder’s abducted sister and Scully’s long-ago-given-away child. The signature “X-Files” audio clip even returns, although it’s used to ridicule itself.

What’s new is that Scully now works as a physician for Our Lady of Sorrows, a Catholic hospital. This setting provides the environment for questioning faith and religious views on science, the most prevalent themes in the film. (Obviously, given the film’s subtitle.) The psychic’s ex-priest past provides more moments to drill home the religion/faith elements.

This debate gets a little over-emphasized, as more dialogue is used in the faith debate than in solving the crime. Nuns, crucifixes and God-discussion are rampant in the film, and it takes away from the suspense. It feels over-done, especially if you have a solid belief in one side or the other.

There’s little to do with aliens and it has some pretty serious human gore. (And I was freaked out by black oil!) Xzibit (as Agent Mosley Drummy) does not pimp any UFOs. I question the casting on this character, as his recent notoriety has little to do with anything except re-painting Volkswagen Cabriolets and other such rides. I’m voting the marketing between “X-Files” and his nickname “X” was the key.

The plot of “X-Files: I Want to Believe” is not a film intended for wide audiences. Instead, it targets the niche “X-Files” market. The plot is of little importance at the end of the day, as what fans want to know is what happened to Mulder and Scully. It’s as if the creators started reading fan-fiction and thought, “Maybe these people are onto something.”

So, what do I think of the movie? If the plot of “X-Files: I Want to Believe” was unrelated to any other body of work, I’d say it’s pretty awful. But, I’m going to consider this a blown-out-proportion final episode. And for that, I liked it.