The truth is still out there

It’s great to see Mulder and Scully back together. These two were amongst the most charismatic duos on TV in the last fifteen years. David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson always had such a brooding, sexy quality to their relationship.

In The X Files: I Want to Believe, which releases to cinemas tomorrow, you will see them re-create their on-screen chemistry once more.

This feature film adds several of the television show’s hallmarks: faith v science, impending peril, dark and moody locations, bizarre and unsolvable crimes, an atmospheric soundtrack, and hints of black comedy.

What it has chosen to leave out are several other key traits: the “case” that re-unites our heroes has nothing to do with aliens -a curious choice given the cinematic landscape could have lent itself to some wondrous special effects. Mulder and Scully’s ‘unresolved sexual tension’ is gone. And aside from one hilarious George Bush reference there was none of the government conspiracy theories that so defined The X Files. Perhaps they died along with the Smoking Man. And I don’t think I saw a torch in the entire 2 hours.

Instead you will see a strong performance by Billy Connolly, a lot of snow, plots involving paedophiles, Russians, and stem-cell research. While the film is entertaining enough there were individual episodes that were, on the whole, more profound in their storytelling.

The film is directed by Chris Carter, and co-written by Carter & Frank Spotnitz. There is also one surprise cameo fans will enjoy.

X Files: I Want To Believe opens in cinemas on Thursday.