In grand "X-Files" manner, the film's storyline is being kept under wraps. This much can be revealed: It is a stand-alone story in the tradition of some of the show's most acclaimed and beloved episodes, and takes the complicated relationship between Fox Mulder and Dana Scully in unexpected directions. Mulder continues his unshakable quest for the truth, and Scully, the passionate, ferociously intelligent physician, remains inextricably tied to Mulder's pursuits.

I think you need to be a fan of the television series to truly appreciate and like the second film in the X-Files universe. The reason being is the film felt very much like a two part X-Files television episode and followed a lot of the things that made the TV series so successful in its day. They really don’t bother to introduce you to the characters or set up any type of back-story. You are supposed to know the characters already, understand their motives and already be emotionally charged before entering the theatre. This is just another chapter in the tale of Mulder and Scully and like all the previous chapters this one will leave you with as many questions as answers. Sure they have moved on and left the FBI but what drove them for nine years is still very true here. The sexual tension has been resolved and they are more comfortable with each other but Mulder is still haunted by the loss of his sister and Scully just can’t continue to follow him down that dark and treacherous path anymore. So if you liked or loved the television show you will most likely love or like X-Files: I Want To Believe.

One of the things I really like about the movie is that they acknowledged time has passed and that a lot of the questions you might have had when the series ended were answered in that time frame. No Mulder and Scully never became a couple but they did finally cross that bridge and they can be together. Scully has finally decided that the life they once led is no longer for her and it has separated them once more. Fox has been on the run and now finally gets to go back to doing what he was born to do and was so good at and that is to solve one more case and stare into the abyss and the darkness one more time. What makes him so good at what he does is that he really truly wants to believe. He sets aside his skeptism and does what he does best. Like I said the movie just felt like another episode of the television series and either you are invested in the story or you are not and that may make or break the movie for you.

I have to admit they went a little far fetched on the story as it is another mystery wrapped in the supernatural. There were always three types of X-Files episodes, your monster episodes, your alien episodes and your conspiracy episodes and the film fits into the monster episode genre this time around. I think what might have been more satisfying would have to delve deeper into the conspiracies that almost ruined Mulder and what made the series so good. Maybe finally resolving so many of the unanswered questions that the series left, delving deeper into the mythology that was the X-Files and finally bring closure to the series rather than just another monster episode and getting to spend two hours once more with old friends.

Gillian Anderson has aged well and she was her same snappy self in this film that so many people feel in love with during the nine-year run of the TV series. David Duchovny on the other hand hasn’t aged all that well and seemed more like Mulder with the beard on then when finally shaves it off. But the chemistry is still there with Gillian Anderson and that is what made the show so great. They still work well of each other and the movie is good if not great and even though they answer some of the questions that still haunt the series it seems that some answers will never be forthcoming.

Grade: B-