So pleased.

The X-Files: I Want to Believe had the right balance of everything that made the show what it was in its most brilliant moments. All of the elements that fans of the show enjoy are in place--drama, action, suspense, creep-out factor, humor--but the movie had a quietness to it that at first seemed foreign. As the narrative unfolded, however, it made so much sense for the film to be presented in that way. It need not be an event picture; by the end, I think you'll agree the contemplative approach was perfect. It creates a very intimate experience.

The visual backdrop (all of the beautiful snow) gave the film a dreamy, almost nostalgic quality--perfect for those of us lost in our memories of the show. It was like being inside one's very own X-Files snow globe. We there-from-the-beginning fans are growing older--right along with the principal actors--and it drives home how much, and how little things have changed.

The film is set in real time, and explanations emerge to explain the current state of things, but never in a way that seems forced or expository. Certain changes--ones that might have been shocking had they been introduced in such a casual way during the course of the series--seem perfectly natural.

Everyone's work is solid; there are some fantastic moments that I won't fully give away, but one involves an assist. :) Also, there is a riotous bit that involves W. That's all I'll spoil. Oh...except for a recommendation: stay for the end credits; you'll get an amusing and sweet send-off.

Grade: A. I needed this movie in my life. Thank you, Chris Carter, Gillian, David, and everyone else involved.

Official The X-Files: I Want to Believe Film Website

Can't wait can't wait.

So, I've gone back and started re-watching The X-Files from the beginning to get me all ramped up for the film release in July.  Tonight, I watched a run of excellent episodes from the 2nd season that I probably haven't seen in a good 10 years.  It's so satisfying to revisit something that gave me so much pleasure in the past, and then finding it to be just as entertaining and engaging as before.  My favorite of the night was "Humbug," the first deliberately "funny" episode written by the amazing Darin Morgan (he also penned a number of fantastic eps for the 2nd season of Millennium--I see he's now working as a consulting producer on The Bionic Woman, but he needs to re-emerge as a writer) and it had me cracking up.  If you were a fan, you'll recall the "freak" episode with Jim Rose and Michael J. Anderson...and some of the funniest bits from the entire run of the series...particularly when Mulder falls on the bed of nails and quips "It's more comfortable than a futon."

Anyway, don't wanna turn into a fan girl, but this is just getting me even more excited about the next film.  It's been five years since the end of the series and ten since a film, so I'm practically drooling.  Rumor has it that the movie's going to be a stand-alone, but that seems a little strange, given the fact that Mulder and Scully were essentially on the run from the FBI and many others at the end of the series.  We'll see.  Either way, I'll be front and center come July 25th, and I'm likely to be sitting there with my Mulder and Scully action figures in hand.  :)

Wow--finally! The new X-Files film is on its way.

Looks like it's official. I've got to get back to L.A., so I can at least do extra work on this movie. I wasn't ever able to score work on it, when the series was shooting. I don't know how I feel about a stand-alone--I'd really love to see some of the mythology stuff worked in--but I'm extremely excited, nonetheless! Who knows...Chris Carter & Co. may just be saying that to throw us off-track, anyway.

Take a look at the July 17th entry on the Official Gillian Anderson website.