The X-Files: Fight the Future (DVD, 2001, Sensormatic Anamorphic Widescreen/ DTS)

There are two kinds of viewers for The X-Files movie: those have seen at least a few episodes of the TV series and those who have never watched it. I am a member of the latter group, so that's the perspective from which this review is written. As a result, I cannot assess how the film will appeal to a die-hard follower of the program. But, for the "uneducated" movie-goer, The X-Files offers two hours of solid entertainment. (Of course, one unanswered question is how many non-X Files aficionados will exhibit sufficient interest to venture watching this picture.)


In interviews, writer/producer/series creator Chris Carter stated that his goal with The X- Files was to make a movie that could stand on its own. There's no question that he has succeeded. The script can be followed by someone with literally no previous knowledge of the characters or situations. FBI special agents Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) are introduced as any motion protagonists might be, and we're presented with bits and pieces of information about their background through cleverly constructed dialogue. (By "cleverly," I mean that these passages don't cry out, "Character exposition!") Although I'm told that the storyline picks up where the last season of the TV program left off, there's no sense that new viewers are entering in the middle of things. The only obvious concession to the ongoing series is the ending, which includes several hooks that can be used to launch stories in the upcoming season.

As the film opens, the X-Files special unit of the FBI has been disbanded. Mulder and Scully have exchanged their investigations of things paranormal and extraterrestrial for more mundane matters such as terrorism. But, when an Oklahoma City-like bomb explosion destroys a $45 million building in Dallas, Mulder and Scully appear to be the FBI's first choice for fall guys. Their research to clear their names reveals what could be the tip of a massive cover-up of alien activity on Earth. And, as their search stretches from Texas to Washington D.C. to Antarctica, they come face-to-face with the dark secret that endangers the future of the human species.

Plot-wise, The X-Files bears more than a passing resemblance to 1996's alien invasion/conspiracy movie, The Arrival. (In fairness to The X-Files, the TV program preceded The Arrival by several years, and the latter probably owes more to the former than the other way around.) Although things get sloppy near the end, when several story holes are ignored or ineffectively plugged, the script as a whole exhibits an uncommon intelligence for this type of movie. In addition, director Rob Bowman (who has helmed a number of the TV episodes) maintains a fairly high level of tension as the complexities of the mult

I used to have this movie on VHS, and could never find it locally on DVD, until I started scouring E-Bay for it, and found it. I've been a fan of the TV show since it's inception. I will review this in as un-biased a fashion as possible.

This movie has many of the same things that make the TV show fun and exciting to watch, and then some. It answers many of the questions about how some characters fit in to the X-Files universe. You could have never heard of the TV show, still be able to follow this movie, and enjoy it. That's what's cool about it. Even the casual viewer could be able to follow along with the film. On a scale of 1 to 10, I'd give it a 10. It's a great movie that won't leave you wondering, and it keeps you interested throughout it's entirety. I'd HIGHLY recommend this film to any Sci-Fi or adventure movie fan. The performances of the cast, mainly Duchovny and Anderson, does NOT disappoint. They are extremely strong in this movie, and I feel it was filmed at the peak of their chemistry as castmates. (I didn't really get that from the new movie.) The story is exciting to watch and follow. Within the first couple of minutes, something happens which leads into what the main characters are presently up to. Just like the opening of each episode of the TV show. Then it escalates from there into a film that ANY fan of action/adventure films would be sure to appreciate.

All in all, I feel it's still one of the best slices of the X-Files universe that people can enjoy. Hands down. I recommend it to the casual fan, the hardcore fan, or any fan of Sci-Fi, or action/adventure films.

The X-Files: Fight the Future is a enjoyable film for any hardcore fan of the television series, or just a science fiction movie fan in general. It has all the basic sci fi elements: aliens, government conspiracies, the supernatural. Just sit back with a bowl of popcorn, and you will truely enjoy this adventure. So go ahead, and buy this flick. Don't worry, after you finish you will want to relive the journey again!

The X-Files plot is a tight web of conspiracy and compromise, where the truth only makes things worse for everyone. The chemistry between Mulder (David Duchovney) and Scully (Gillian Anderson) is great. Even if you're not an X-Files fan, this is an interesting, well plotted story with solid performances, excellent imagery and sound. This is must-see viewing if you like sci fi/action/adventure films, and I would strongly recommend this movie.

True to the series! Chris Carter proves his talent at the unusual and paranormal! Great original entertainment!