Customer Reviews

The X-Files (aka Fight the Future)

5 star:		(269)
4 star:		(91)
3 star:		(53)
2 star:		(19)
1 star:		(22)

 

 

"The X-Files: Fight the Future" is an endlessly fascinating and complicated movie that ties together all the mythology pieces from the popular series upon which it's based. Although I think that people who never watch the show can enjoy this movie, I doubt they can understand it very well. Heck, I watch the show religiously and I still don't think I understand everything.

However, it succeeds in introducing the audience to the characters of Agents Mulder and Scully, without rehashing the things that are familiar to the fans of the show. When we are first introduced to our favorite duo, their conversation on their cell phones is enjoyable to both old audiences and new ones alike.

The film also makes clear the deep affection and love Mulder and Scully feel for each other--something regular viewers already know--which comes to a head in the famous hallway scene outside of Mulder's apartment.

The film is top quality, as we've come to expect no less from "The X-Files," with an intelligent story-line, great action sequences and special effects, and plenty of aliens to satisfy the sci-fi junkie in all of us. But don't get me wrong--you don't have to be a sci-fi junkie to enjoy this film. You have to like a good suspense/thriller, with some action, intelligent story-telling, and yes, a little bit of hinted-at romance. I mean, for "The X-Files," any 'Shipper will tell you that this is a pretty romantic movie. As one of those so-called 'Shippers, I was very angry at that darn bee, which was my biggest disappointment.

The DVD itself is nicely presented, with all the theatrical trailers, an informative commentary track by Rob Bowman and Chris Carter, and an interesting behind-the-scenes look at the making of the film. Best of all, it has added footage not originally in the theatrical version.

This DVD is sure to please all forms of movie-goers. =)

I wouldn't pretend to be one who regularly watches the television series on which this film is based. However, I've often watched and have always marveled at how life is played out in the head of creator Chris Carter. To base a motion picture on a television series, you have to give a regular viewer more than you would normally and yet still make the movie comprehensible to the viewer of happenstance. I think Mr. Carter succeeded.

The movie opens in the past. Quite a ways past, in fact. 30,000 B.C. in a place we now know as North Texas. At this point in time, North Texas is a cold and barren place but something happens which sets the stage for what is about to come.

After this incident, we move to "present-day" Dallas, Texas where the FBI is investigating a terrorist bomb threat in the Federal Building. We shortly meet our two heroes, agent Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and agent Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson). In short order, we're told that the X-Files have been closed but that Mulder and Scully are still partnered. Scully is somewhat exasperated because her partner is again being unorthodox and searching another building across the street from the one the rest of the Bureau is searching. Finding nothing, Scully and Mulder prepare to leave the building when Mulder decides to buy a soda from a nearby vending machine. Instead, what he finds is the vending machine unplugged and a bomb -- a very big bomb -- inside it. And Mulder is locked in the room with it. This being the 90s, Mulder calls Scully on his cellular phone and she arranges to have the building cleared and the FBI team brought to the building to get Mulder out and defuse the bomb. One part of the plan works.

This is brilliant screenwriting because once you accept that agent Mulder is a tad unorthodox and has an uncanny knack for stumbling into the truth, it's completely believable to believe a scenario that would have a terrorist call in a threat to one building and blow up a different one. The resulting explosion evokes memories of the Oklahoma City bombing quite chillingly. However, instead of Scully and Mulder being hailed as heroes, they're hauled in front of an inquiry to explain why five people died instead of the countless number that would have died had the bomb not been discovered.

As Mr. Carter points out in a short "Making Of..." presentation before the movie begins, the truth is not always the truth and things are not always as they seem. The Dallas bombing sets off a chain of events which takes us not only through the Southwest, but to England, Antarctica, and Tunisia.

This really is an excellent piece of filmmaking and there's lots of credit to go around. First, there's a solid, finely nuanced story by creator/screenwriter Carter and collaborator Frank Spotnitz. This is a piece of work that stands completely on its own. You don't have to be a fan of the television series to enjoy the film; however, the movie is almost completely consistent with the series and fits like a puzzle piece with it. The acting is really quite superb. David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson are fresh and lively in their portrayals of Mulder and Scully. There is a guest appearance by Martin Landau as a conspiracy theorist doctor who, in shadowy fashion, guides Mulder toward the truth. Blythe Danner appears as the chief investigator of an inquiry where the outcome seems already determined. Series regulars are much in evidence as well. Mitch Pileggi as Assistant Director Walter Skinner and, especially, William B. Davis as the Cigarette-Smoking Man keep the action moving throughout the film.

Regardless of whether you're a fan of the series or not, this film will make a fine evening's entertainment.

[Originally written 18 October 1998]

At the end of the outstanding fifth season, Chris Carters genius found a new canvas via the silver screen in this, the culmination of five years of superb episodic television. On the silver screen; The X-Files, David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson are in every way movie stars and the genre in this format are visually stunning. Chris Carters genius shines through as this film was made prior to shooting the fifth season of the episode and therefore they had to design the entire fifth season around the film. In no uncertain terms, Chris Carter and the other producers of the series proved that they could exceed even their own high standards and take the genre to the silver screen. The only real question is, now that the series is over after nine years, are or when are they going to film a second movie?

The premise: MINOR SPOILERS

At the conclusion of the fifth season, The X-Files have been closed as those who have been conspiring with the alien forces have desired to do, since Mulder and Scully were getting a little too close to their flame.

The movie opens with a stunning scene taking the viewers back thirty five thousand years where we witness an encounter between cavemen and an alien. We're then taken to the present day where Mulder and Scully are in Dallas, TX. The X-Files are closed and they're working as normal agents, searching for a bomb on a hot Texas day. Unfortunately for them, although Mulder discovers the location of the bomb, it still goes off, killing a senior agent and supposedly three other people in the building. This leads to the FBI needing scapegoats and directing the separation of Mulder and Scully. Of course, Mulder can't sit still for this and in the only way he and Scully know how, they begin to uncover the conspirators' plots.

What follows is simply a silver screen masterpiece as we are finally, after five wonderful years of questions, given some answers. Unfortunately along with these long awaited answers we find that there are more questions. As the producers of the show have stated all along, they've been making television movies all along and were ready for the big screen, so right they were.

Exceptional performances by David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, William B. Davis and Mitch Pileggi. Nods to Chris Carter and director Rob Bowman for casting Martin Landau. Mark Snow who has done the score for every episode is, of course, given the opportunity to exceed his own high standards in the film, as the score is beautifully played out. Highlighting the score is the film being digitally THX mastered.

Bonus Features:

The Making of "The X-Files;" Audio Commentary; Extra Footage and Theatrical Trailers. Included in the DVD case is a special eight page booklet giving a short synopsis of several of "The X-Files" key players and a small card displaying one of the many wonderful paintings done of Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny.

I would highly recommend this film, even for the casual viewer or somebody new to the genre as the filmmakers ensured to make it accessible to even those who'd never once seen an episode.

The X-Files "Fight the Future" takes place after the end of season five when the X-Files have been shut down. FBI agents Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully ( Gillian Anderson) are assigned to a Federal building in Dallas to locate a bomb. Unfortunately, the bomb goes off before it can be defused, and an FBI agent as well as three fireman and a boy are killed in the explosion. The FBI needs someone to blame for what happened and look to Mulder and Scully. Wanting to find out what really happened to save their careers, Mulder starts searching for clues. He soon encounters a paranoid doctor ( Martin Landau) who reveals to Mulder a conspiracy dealing with a deadly virus that could be alien in origin - and capable of destroying all life on earth. Mulder and Scully are soon forced to put their careers and lives on the line, when they are pitted against a powerful group of men known as the Syndicate, who are somehow connected with the virus and willing to kill to keep their secrets safe.

The X-Files film "Fight the Future" offers a very enjoyable transition from the television series to the big screen. I first saw the film, back when it was released in theaters. I had never seen a single episode from the show, and even though there were some things I did not understand, like who the Lone Gunmen were, the Syndicate's role in the overall conspiracy, etc., the film managed to entertain me. Now that the prices on the DVD sets for the show have been reduced, I was able to go back and finally watch the first five seasons. I recently watched the film again, and I really enjoyed it because I was finally able to understand all the smaller details that eluded me the first time around. David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson are in fine form once again as Mulder and Scully. Martin Landau was very good as well. Fans of the show will be happy with the film, because it does a very good job expanding on the overall mythology, as well as bringing in characters from the show like Assitant Director Skinner played by Mitch Pillegi, the Lone Gunmen, and the Cigarette Smoking Man played by William Davis. The special effects, action sequences, and suspense this film brings will entertain people who have never seen the show.

In my opinion, "Fight the Future" can be enjoyed by hardcore fans of the show, as well as a person who has never seen the show. I know this from experience because I was able to watch the film from both points of view. In fact, it was seeing the film the first time around that made me want to watch the show in the first place. The DVD itself offers top notch picture and sound quality, as well as commentary from Chris Carter, and an in-depth featurette on the making of the movie and the transition from the show to the big screen.

A solid 5 stars...

The X-Files movie is yet another example of Chris Carter's stunning brilliance. The actors seem to not just play their roles, but actually live them, drawing the viewer irretrievably into the movie. The chemistry between Mulder and Scully was awe inspiring, pulling the movie together through the quest of a friendship deeper than love. Mulder's struggle is a timeless battle to which most individuals can relate. Fighting something larger than themselves, a conspiracy to withhold from each the simple justice of truth. The special effects reached the closest to perfection since Star Wars. It's realism drives the viewer to the edge of their seat. Gripping the sides to resist being pulled into the spacecraft and ripped apart by the black oil's alien descendents or falling through collapsing ice as the craft beneath takes flight. The film also provided treats for Philes such as the appearance of the beloved Lone Gunmen and tidbids of clues to the ongoing storyline. However, it's plot was detailed enough that even newcomers to the wonderful world of the X-Files could not only understand, but become hooked on it's very concept. It simply requires a bit of intelligence to keep up with Carter's intricate web of conspiracy. In following the X-Files, I am continually amazed by this man's creative genius.

I watched this movie without ever watching an episode of the series before. I came into the movie only knowing that the main characters were FBI agents Mulder and Scully who sought the truth about aliens and government conspiracies that tried to cover up their existance. That was all I knew, I didn't know anything about the black oil, or the bees, or even who the Smoking Man was. This movie did a good job presenting the basics so a first timer (like myself) wouldn't feel totally lost while watching it. David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson were superb in their big screen roles of Fox Mulder and Dana Scully. The hallway (I think you know what I'm talking about!) scene was one of the best scenes of the movie. Now if only there was no bee.... Overall, this movie was X-cellent. The acting was great, the special effects were cool, and the plot kept me on the edge of my seat. I recommend this movie to anyone who has ever watched The X-Files and loved it, and also to anyone who hasn't seen an episode before but likes sci-fi movies. And I'd just like to say thanks to Chris Carter and crew for a really good season 6 - here's onto season 7, unfortunately the very last one. I'll be looking forward to the next X-Files movie, I can't wait until it comes out!

Even if you've never seen an X-Files episode, you will love this movie. This movie has all the makings of a cult classic (just like the show). I did not watch the X-files show until after I saw the movie in 1998. Now I am a X-Files watcher for life. It's nice to have a movie and TV show that excites your intellect as well as your senses. Chris Carter has outdone himself - David Duchovny is masterful in his portrayal of Special Agent Fox Mulder, the "Spooky" yet brilliant agent in charge of the X-Files (the cases the Bureau deems unsolvable and strange). Gillian Anderson is wonderful in her portrayal of Special Agent Dana Scully, the perfect counterpart to Agent Mulder, he is mysterious in his personal life and has his head in the clouds at times, she is a down to earth (unless she's been abducted again) and no-nonsense agent that deep down loves the drama that ensues everytime she goes on an assignment with her partner. Yes, there is a sexual overtone to certain parts of the movie, but in the show there are sexual inuendos in every episode - Mulder and Scully are obviously in love, but I agree with Chris Carter, David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson in saying that the relationship MUST stay at a non-sexual level (at least until the show is over) so don't expect Mulder and Scully to hop in the sack in this movie - you will be disappointed if you do. Buy this! The script is even more interesting than the movie - it has lines and scenes that were cut from the movie and you can see where David Duchovny does his wonderful improvisation. The film cells are interesting - just remember it takes 16 frames of film to make one second of a movie - so don't expect to see a scene from the movie. Very nice, glossy 8x10 posters and the "Making of..." Video is very insightful. Buy this collection - you will not be sorry!

I saw this film on opening weekend in New York in a large, reserved-seating theater full of X-Files nuts and their friends--a wondrous experience, truly--and this probably colors my opinion of the film. The knowledgeable, enthusiastic crowd loudly applauded the first sight of Scully and Mulder, cheered Scully's authoritative line "Don't think. Just pick up that phone and make it happen.", and whistled at the fade-in of the Lone Gunmen. The enthusiasm was most definitely contagious, for though I walked into the theater liking the X-Files (my needful weekly dose of weirdness in a conformist workplace), I walked out truly inspired by that sense of the heroic that the best X-Files stories occasionally capture. Then I became an X-Files nut, too. Lucky for me, the FX Network began playing "100 Nights of the X-Files" shortly after the film was released and I caught up with everything.

The gaps in logic did make me wonder: how did Mulder get to the Antarctic, and without flying into someone's radar? How did Dr. Kurtzweil know all that he knew, anyway? And how convenient for Scully to miss seeing the--ahem!--significant object. Though I like the film a bit less after viewing it several times on VHS, the film does achieve the fine balance of attracting viewers new to the X-Files as well providing a significant installment to the long-running story line for well-established nuts. Many critics new to the series appreciated the dynamic between the agents, as well as their fine, intelligent, quirky humor, and remarked that they will begin watching the series because of the film.

Parting words: to X-Files nuts, please leave the stars alone and remember that it's the CHARACTERS you find appealing, not the actors! and savor the mystery as well as the answers. To the X-Files creators, THANK YOU for having Scully say in the Nov. 28, 1999 episode that the first day of the new millennium will dawn on Jan. 1, 2001, and not Jan. 1, 2000, as everyone else assumes.

In the X-Files-Fight the Future, a classic sci-fi film is acted out to the hilt. Everything that was great about the X-files is in this film. CGB Spender working his wicked twist on everything concerning the Alien conspiracy and Mulder. Scully and Mulder's fated...almost...not quite kiss! When I saw this film in the theatre, people were literally sitting in the isles, cheering our heroes on their quest and even giving a standing ovation for that not-quite-a-kiss scene. This is undoubtedly my favorite film. The effects are spectacular...but the final scene in Antarctica rivals even CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND! See it, buy it, collect it. It's worth it!

Keeping in mind that the success behind the X-Files series was not only the brilliant writing, but also the cinematography and "movie-look" of the directing, it is little wonder that the X-files movie was just a two-hour long, big-budget episode of the t.v. show. As another reviewer pointed out: what else did we really want or expect? However, because this is the X-Files Movie, it would be wrong-minded to buy anything but the widescreen edition. As with the series, Chris Carter knows how to effectively fill a screen. And the movie is just as visually efficient. None of the edges are lost on this edition, as they are on the other VHS edition. And maybe it's me, but the sound is a little crisper too. In any event, if you're going to buy this film, this is the edition to get!