The X-Files: Fight the Future
If there is one thing you won't find, it's a critic who is a fan of The X-Files. However, this isn't quite true because I watch the show every single week and love it to death. Movie critics probably don't find the time to see much television, but I am not a full-fledged critic. I prefer watching movies than reviewing them, and I prefer watching television when I am too cheap to pay to see a movie. However, television contains one thing movies don't: characters that come back to us each week. It's no wonder people wanted to see Titanic again and again... they wanted to rejoin the lively characters. Television provides this, and it has become one of the most beloved art forms ever. The X-Files started five years ago, and I was one of the few people who actually watched it with complete fascination. The show grew on me immediately, and I loved it. Of course, I figured the show would flop as many of Fox's shows about paranormal activity do. But something caught on, and it has become one of the best shows on TV with a wide array of fans.
Unfortunately, over the last couple of years, the writers have turned to more paranormal activity, and avoiding the one thing that made it a hit: aliens. The thorough exploration of the two characters Mulder (David Duchovny) and Scully (Gillian Anderson) and what makes them tick was the center of attention. It seemed like the search for extra-terrestrial intelligence was just a backdrop. But that has all changed, and now it's mostly a show about conspiracies and over-worldly things. This has caused the show to drop in quality slightly, but it is still one of the best shows on TV (when it first aired, nothing came close to besting it). And so, Chris Carter decided to create a film version of the show, and do something no one has done before: require the film as viewing in order for the fans to discover the answers to the cliffhanger of the fifth season. The show is still on the air, and you begin to wonder if the creators got a little too happy with their cult following. I don't think so, especially after seeing the film.
THE X-FILES: FIGHT THE FUTURE begins way in the past (in fact, probably the furthest back any film has gone since Kubrick's 2001)... 35,000 B.C. to be exact. We are told it's North Texas, and yet it's covered in ice and snow. Two men run through the open fields and find a cave. Inside is what the film revolves around. Because of that reason, I will not reveal the secret, but I am sure you will find out what it is in other reviews. Next, jump forward some 37,000 years, and end in North Texas, only this time with four kids unearthing a cave. One of them falls in, and he ends up dead. Or maybe not. Nothing is very clear, and the film proceeds along those same terms, until the end when everything begins to fall into place. But that's The X-Files for you. Anyway, after a while, fire trucks and mysterious men in white suits begin to show up. The boy is taken away, and the onlookers are told to leave the area.
Then, Mulder and Scully are introduced (to the cheers of the audience). They are searching a federal building for a bomb that was called in. However, the bomb was reported in the building across the street. Why are Mulder and Scully there? The film never bothers to tell us, but loyal fans of the show know that Mulder doesn't always follow rules. He also doesn't trust anyone (hence, "trust no one"), save Scully. These two have worked together for five years, and they completely rely on each other. Their relationship is a subplot of the film that should have been explored a little further, but that's only for the sake of non-X-philes. We regulars know their relationship is far more rich and complex than any you will find in any film this year. Films like 6 Days, 7 Nights rely on the well-used bickering that makes up so much of the characters' development (albeit, entertaining bickering). Mulder and Scully have a bond that isn't quite crystal clear. What makes them hang on to each other requires the viewing of the first five seasons.
After a massive explosion (reminiscent of the Oklahoma City bombing, right down to the extent of damage done), Mulder and Scully discover that five people were still in the building: an FBI officer, three firemen, and a young boy (could it be a coincidence? I think not). And so it sparks an investigation that will lead the two protagonists into corn-filled fields, giant white structures, and finally into the heartland of Antarctica. This makes it all seem so simple, but it really isn't. The storytelling is complex without relying on the multitude of plot twists that swarm other films like Wild Things. This isn't your average summer film, but it rightfully belongs amidst the rest of the releases. This isn't a film you can switch your brain off for, because it demands your thinking. This is the type of film that makes the summer season worth toiling through. In fact, if these films keep up, this summer may be one of the best ever for the movie industry.
Now, I realize that I haven't said much about the plot, but that's because I can't give anything away. Many critics say that they didn't understand it, but I did. After watching the TV show, you begin to get used to the mysteriousness surrounding ever little detail and clue. The complex web that is drawn reminds me of The Arrival (though to be fair, the TV show was around three years before that film was made), but where that film lagged, THE X-FILES dominates. Instead of slowing down towards the end, the film speeds up incredibly, finally ending in a pulse-pounding climax that is sure to have anyone sitting on the edge of their seat. Critics have also complained about this... the ending. They say it has too many plot holes, but what they don't realize is that the film is a conduit of sorts. It provides the link over from the fifth to the sixth season. Without all those holes, it wouldn't be an X-Files movie.
Writers Chris Carter and Frank Spotnitz have gone to great lengths to create a story that will grab both fans and non-fans alike. They have succeeded wonderfully, something Star Trek never was able to do. They leave enough information for unknowledgeable viewers to watch, while including a lot of answers to questions we fans have had, including the answer to the big question left open at the end of the fifth season. The screenplay is smart and provides every character with rich dialogue. Surprisingly, there was quite a bit of humor included, and it meshed rather well. The X-Files is mostly a dramatic series, but sometimes the comedy on the show spoils the atmosphere. This is the kind of film that people should watch and love, because it doesn't use special effects as its primary source of entertainment. Instead, it uses them to enhance the story (the best sci-fi films always do this). Close to the end, there are some incredible visuals created by special effects, including a huge hole caving in in the middle of the Antarctic. I heard one person behind me say that it looked fake, but I thought it was a beautifully crafted image that only lovers of David Fincher, Terry Gilliam, or any other director with a visual sense would notice. The cinematography is spectacular for a sci-fi film (or for any film). The shots are colorful, dark, and moody. Cinematographer Ward Russell (who has only worked on a couple of films in the past, most recently The Lawnmower Man 2) could easily be considered for an Oscar nomination for his work, and I hope he gets it. The visuals are sharp and vibrant, and Russell knows how to work the camera. If anything, I will be going to see this film again just for his work alone.
David Duchovny is no stranger to films, but he gained his fame with the television show on Fox. He recently appeared in Playing God, which he dominated with his strong presence. He was also in Kalifornia, but he was mostly left in the shadows of Brad Pitt and Juliette Lewis. As Fox Mulder, he gives his most vivid and colorful performance to date, but this is a result of his many years as this character. His motives are unclear in the film, but fans of the show will know exactly why he wants to unearth conspiracies (for those who don't know, his sister Samantha was abducted by aliens when he was young). But as strong as Duchovny is on screen, Gillian Anderson gives the most energetic and powerful performance. Since The X-Files, she has become extremely famous, and one wonders what the world was like before she was well-known. She is relatively unknown in the film industry, but after her performance in this movie (which hopefully could garner her an Oscar nomination), more producers will be looking to cast her. Every other role is supporting, but most of the other roles are actors from the TV show. In Ebert's review, he commented that the Cigarette-Smoking Man (William B. Davis) is the most thankless character. I can see his opinion when just looking at the film, but after five years of watching the show, he has become an integral part of the show's plots. The Well-Manicured Man (John Neville) also shows up, but again, he is left in the shadows of the two stars. Martin Landau is one of the very few stand-outs in the supporting cast. Landau's Dr. Kurtzweil is a highly underused character, and I doubt we will be seeing any of him on the TV show. Surprisingly, Walter Skinner (Mitch Pileggi) makes only a couple of brief appearances which was rather disheartening for me. Armin-Mueller Stahl (most recognizable from Shine) also appears as Conrad Strughold--his character is wrapped in mystery, and his motives aren't exactly clear (but what really is in this film?).
THE X-FILES: FIGHT THE FUTURE is rated PG-13 but is suitable for almost anyone. Young children probably won't be entertained, and they are best left seeing Mulan. The dialogue contains virtually no profanity, which is almost incredible. However, it isn't noticeable at all, because the screenplay is that smart. Profanity is usually regarded as the lowest type of intelligent dialogue, and this film only enhances that theory. So far, I have not seen one excellent review of this film. The highest I have seen is three stars, and this is coming from non-fans. The only logical conclusion I can come up with is that critics don't like all the plot-holes left at the end. If they only knew--The truth is out there, but it's on TV. Hopefully, though, this film will only add to the number of viewers that watch the show religiously every week.
Note: My apologies for the poor writing in this review. Finals just ended, my brain is fried, and my computer isn't cooperating with me. By the way, if anyone knows why Windows95 aren't displaying fonts in other programs, please e-mail me with an answer to fix it. Writing this review in Terminal font isn't exactly pleasing to the eye. Thanks.