Initial Thoughts on the X-Files movie...

[measi]

Behind the cut for spoilers

I enjoyed it. I was not expecting much (read: anything), so I was pleasantly surprised.

Things I liked:

- Scully finally being angry and bitter and unwilling to follow Mulder. After everything that happened in the series, I appreciated where she was in this movie. I really do. It's unfamiliar in a way and heartbreaking to watch, but yeah... I understood it. And as much as it will piss some fans off - it was the right call.

- Mulder still being Mulder. Yes, he is the same person. More cynical about people, perhaps - but still Mulder.

- Hooray, Skinner!

- "I'm sure he'd call. He wouldn't do anything crazy." *Scully gives The Look*

- Slashy Skinner cradling distressed!Mulder. (why do I immediately think of Xanthe's Sk/M fic there?)

- The names on Mulder's cell phone (Bowman, Gilligan, etc.)

- Chris Carter silently pulling a Stan Lee in the hallway outside Scully's office just before she finds "the connection"

- The X-Files theme playing during the "oh... times have changed" focus on George Bush's portrait

- The very last scene in the boat. OMFG yes!


What I didn't like/not sure of

- While I have never minded the slow pacing of the X-Files and the development of the storylines... this one did have some serious pacing problems. Started out nice and tight, but dragged in the middle and lost itself for a while. To which I say "oh... a Chris Carter script."

- I honestly needed a BIT more of Mulder and Scully pulling the lead on this one. It felt like they were just *there* as characters at times, rather than the leads. Again... I think some of this is pacing. But I think it also is plotting.

- The sub-plot with the terminally ill child... worked in some ways, but seemed a bit too loosely connected for Scully's leap of faith at the end

- Lots of dialogue, not enough action. To a point, very X=Files. But it still needed to swing the other way a bit.

- Those early promotional stills? Where the hell did those come in during the movie?

- The convenient way Mulder walks back into the FBI seemed too contrived to me. No way, after what happened, would all be forgiven that easily. I don't buy the FBI leaving Mulder alone if they've known how to contact Scully this entire time.

So yeah... I enjoyed it. The first movie was far better, IMHO. But it was great to have a little more time with Mulder and Scully on the screen.

Comments

[brilliantomega.livejournal.com]

I'm not a huge follower - so what part did I miss that M/S had a son??

[measi.livejournal.com]

All of Series 8 focused on Mulder being gone while Scully was pregnant with William. (she gave birth in the season finale).

About mid-way through 9, when their enemies continued to threaten them, William was given up for adoption to attempt to keep him safe.

[jcd1013.livejournal.com]

So yeah... I enjoyed it. The first movie was far better, IMHO. But it was great to have a little more time with Mulder and Scully on the screen.

I'm planning a longer review today, but that I think summed up my thinking as well.

[scottis.livejournal.com]

ok so it isnt out here in scotland till the 1st. from a fans perspective was it better or worse than the end of the series?

i am so looking forward to it and i am so disapointed from reviews i have read cos i really truley love the x files with all my heart ;-)

thanks for the review

[measi.livejournal.com]

I'm one of the people who actually didn't mind seasons 8 and 9 all that much (and honestly did enjoy the final episode)... so if you're taking about the typical rabid fan movement? I'm not the person to ask.

I thought it went just along with the average middle-of-the-road episodes.

I've read several reviews, and frankly think they're idiots. One claimed that Anderson hadn't done a SINGLE THING since the X-Files (hello? Bleak House? Last King of Scotland?)

Go see, enjoy it. Don't expect it to be earth shattering. Just take it as another Mulder/Scully adventure and enjoy the small ride.

:)

[easylily.livejournal.com]

Hi, I'm going to see the movie tomorrow, but since I dislike everything after season7 I wasn't sure what I gotta prepare for. (have never even seen season9...) So, thanks for posting this, I'm little more prepared now.
However I'm looking forward to the movie, i guess it could be a good one - at least i hope so. xD
Still I think it's not xfiles anymore...i mean not 'the x-files', I've loved for about 7years ;) ...awww...good old times! lol
Thanks for posting! :)

[measi.livejournal.com]

I think, in order to get where Mulder and Scully are in this movie, seeing seasons 8 and 9 are a good thing. Many of the issues dealt with between them are specific to 8 and 9.

They're not as strong as previous seasons (the show took a downturn after the move to LA, IMHO), but compared to a lot of the tripe on TV today, they're still decently done.

[starlightmoonla.livejournal.com]

I thoroughly agree with your "like" list! I think Skinner and that final scene were my all time favorite parts of the movie because they were pleasant surprises! :D

- The convenient way Mulder walks back into the FBI seemed too contrived to me. No way, after what happened, would all be forgiven that easily.

Yeah I wasn't too thrilled with the whole fugitive storyline in the first place which probably made that explanation easier to accept.

So yeah... I enjoyed it. The first movie was far better, IMHO. But it was great to have a little more time with Mulder and Scully on the screen.

Yeah. I think I'd have to agree. If they do end up making a third, which is still a possibility but highly dependent on how the movie does, I'd probably expect a bit more... and - dare I say - hope for a mythology episode. ^_^

Love the review!