The X-Files: I Want to Believe (David Duchovney, Gillian Anderson, Billy Connolly, Amanda Peet, Alvin “Xzibit” Joiner. Written by Frank Spotnitz and Chris Carter. Directed by Chris Carter.)X-Files episodes fall into three categories: the alien mythos (black oil, EBE bounty hunters), paranormal and supernatural phenomena (shape-shifting liver eaters, voodoo practitioner convicts), and things that fall just outside of the boundaries of “ordinary” (the Vietnam vet who could hide in your “blind spot,” the town that discovered immortality thorough cannibalism). The second movie in a proposed X Files trilogy represents a new category: none of the above.Since we last saw them, Scully (Anderson) has left the FBI and is in private practice (she is a medical doctor); Mulder (Duchovney)has also left the Bureau, under less than honorable circumstances and is in semi hiding. When an FBI agent is abducted, the agent running the case (Peet) enlists Mulder’s help in determining whether or not a defrocked priest (Connolly), whose visions provide the only leads in the case, can be trusted. The Bureau is not thrilled to see Mulder return, represented by the attitude of the task force’s second lead (Xzibit).The movie does not have the “look” of the series (no shadows or blue lights) and the story is pretty much on the level of an above average episode of Bones or Without a Trace. The acting from the “more experienced” actors is uniformly low key and Xzibit’s performance is competent but hardly a “revelation.” (His hard core scowl does serve his character well, however.) If you liked the debate about human nature in The Dark Knight, you’re gonna love the musings on belief and forgiveness in this movie.The biggest disappointment, however, is the villains. When you find out what they’re up to, they seem more naive than threatening. After doing battle with interplanetary conspiracies, it’s like sending the SWAT team to take down the guy selling knockoff designer items on the street corner.Carter has said the third movie would deal with the alien invasion, but whether or not it gets made is contingent upon the success of this one. If that’s the case… Don’t look for X Files 3.
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