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The X-Files: Fight the Future


Reviewed by: Rachel Hughes
Genre: Science Fiction
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 2.35:1
Audio: DTS, Dolby Digital 5.1
Language: English, French
Subtitle: Spanish, English
Length: 2hr 10min
Rating: PG-13
Release Date: 1-23-01
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Commentary: Yes featuring Chris Carter and Rob Bowman
Documentaries: The Truth Behind the Making of the X-Files Movie
Featurettes: None
Filmography/Biography: None
Interviews: None
Trailers/TV Spots: Three theatrical trailer
Alternate/Deleted Scenes: Yes, added to the movie
Music Video: None
Other: None
Cast and Crew: David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Martin Landau, Blythe Danner, and Armin Mueller-Stahl
Screenplay by: Chris Carter based on story by Chris Carter and Frank Spotnitz
Produced by: Chris Carter and Daniel Sackheim
Directed By: Rob Bowman
Music: Mark Snow
The Review: The movie tries to run the middle of the road and comes off not impressing anyone. Those who have watched the show for years were expecting major answers. We demand to know the truth that Mulder and Scully have been chasing for the last five years, and the trailers make it seem like we will finally get it. However, for each glimpse we get of the conspiracy we only have more questions. The movie takes place after the close of season 5. The X-Files has been closed and when the film opens Mulder and Scully are working in Dallas investigating a bomb threat with the FBI. Through his unorthodox methods Mulder both finds the bomb and threatens to unravel a conspiracy that has been in place for over fifty years. The movie takes them from one extreme location to the other. Along the way they run into many familiar faces. There is Assistant Director Skinner, The Cigarette Smoking Man, The Well Manicured Man and of course The Lone-Gunmen. The face I missed was that of Krycheck or Rat Boy as he is affectionately called. This is a difficult movie to review. Having been an avid fan I was expecting more. The movie didn't impress me, nor was I so disappointed that couldn't recommend it to my friends. This movie invokes ambivalence. It is like watching a great television episode, but since it is on the big screen the standards are different.
Image and Sound This is a beautiful transfer. There is nary a blip or scratch on the film. The colors are all bright and clear. The sky in Texas and the desert scenes are all beautiful. Of course this wouldn't be an X-Files movie unless most of the film took place in the dark and shadows. Even with all of the dimly lit scenes you can see everyone clearly, and the black doesn't contain any graininess. The sound is also wonderful. Mark Snow, who also does the music for the show, has put together a terrific score here. Furthermore this is one of the seemingly few movies that have THX. When the bomb explodes, and the spaceship takes off you can feel it in your bones. The sound also does a great job of isolating sounds. You can hear the alien come out of one speaker, disappear in the cave and then hear him in another. Having the sound at this level of quality truly adds to the enjoyment of the movie.
The Extras Besides the commentary the most impressive extra is The Truth Behind the Making of the X-Files Movie. It runs about 27mins and is narrated by Mitch Pileggi. This has scenes from the television show. It features Gillian Anderson, David Duchovny, Chris Carter, and other who worked on the film. Anderson and Duchovny talk about their characters, the difference between doing the movie and the TV show. It also goes into some detail about the building explosion that is quite interesting. The documentary also touches briefly on Mark Snow's score. There are also three theatrical trailers of the movie. On the back of the case it lists extra footage. This has been woven into the movie itself, and is difficult to pick out.
Commentary Even though Chris Carter is listed he talks very little. For the first part it is difficult to tell when he is talking versus director Rob Bowman. So if you were hoping for a little extra knowledge or further explanation you will be sadly disappointed. But that is the only place you will be disappointed. Bowman does a wonderful job carrying the bulk of the commentary by himself. There is hardly a pause. He talks about everything. Why he used certain angles, the mood he was trying to evoke, what it was like working with Martin Landau. His obvious enjoyment of working on this film comes through wonderfully and sweeps the audience along.
Final Words: This is a mediocre film. It tries to walk a fine line between fans and new viewers and ends up not meeting either groups expectations. This DVD package is similar. It has an interesting commentary by Bowman, but with a movie that has the wealth of information like the X-Files I really expected much more. There could have been a mythology tracker that would tell you what we have learned and disproved over the past. The X-Files has a huge cult fan base. The possibilities are endless. If you are out there buying every episode of the television show, then you probably already own this DVD. If not it depends on how much you liked the film. The poor extras don't make this a must have.


Send all Comments to Teakwood Productions
 June 17, 2001