BOTTOM LINE: It’s been six years since the sci-fi phenomenon “The X-Files” left television and all Chris Carter could come up with in this second feature film based on his show is another television episode. It’s not bad, but if you’re an X-Files fan you’ll be hugely disappointed that Mulder and Scully were not given the rousing cinematic adventure they deserved in this flatly-directed, small-scale, un-scary film.

THE GOOD: “The X-Files” set a new benchmark in science fiction for television with its two intrepid FBI agents, Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) investigating unexplained phenomena in weekly episodes. The series was cinematic in ideas, themes, characters and even visually. The first film, Fight The Future, carried on that legacy but shot itself in the foot by continuing a trend of frustrating the viewers by not revealing any details of the intricate government conspiracy/alien mythology storyline. In this new film, director Chris Carter wisely chooses to keep things simple, returning to the standalone monster-of-the-week episode the series made famous. “I Want To Believe” chooses to focus almost entirely on Mulder, Scully and the investigation they get dragged in to. With the exception of Mitch Pileggi who has an extended cameo as Walter Skinner, no other series regulars return for this instalment. This works in the film’s favour as the series became so bogged down with intricate character and plot developments that being released from that gives the film a better focus. In this case, the film is about the question of faith. What do you believe in? Why do you believe in it? Who do you believe in? These solid, ethical questions pour over the motivations of the characters, most obviously with Mulder and Scully who find their relationship tested in new and complicated ways over the case they are investigating, but also in the nasty subplot involving Father Joe (an effective and creepy Billy Connolly) and his connection to the altar boys he defiled and the unspeakable acts they are performing now because of Father Joe’s actions. In keeping things simple, director Chris Carter re-creates the feel of the early standalone episodes of the series; there’s an intelligent, investigative quality to the whole endeavour which is quite refreshing given the complications the series found itself in story-wise towards the end of its run. The film certainly captures the spirit and essence of the series, and seeing Mulder and Scully on the big screen once again is always a thrill.

THE BAD: After six years of waiting for a cinematic version of The X-Files, the film delivered by Chris Carter is nothing more than another television episode. Even the first film managed a certain cinematic scope despite its frustrating story aspects. To say this is disappointing would be an understatement. “The X-Files” has always provided fertile ground for potential big screen work with their iconic characters and fantastical plot lines but this film doesn’t even come close to getting there. On top of that, the film isn’t even scary. This film was meant to be a monster-of-the-week scare-fest and it doesn’t even deliver on that, despite the fact that the Frankenstein-style plot involving Russian doctors is freaky. Go and watch the first season episode “Tooms” and you’ll be more scared. Perhaps the most disturbing thing of all is that this is coming from Chris Carter himself; the almighty creator. What the hell happened? We know he can do good but maybe he’s been involved in this creation for too long that he couldn’t expand its scope beyond the confines of television? The Star Trek movies have suffered from the same problem. Maybe new talent needs to be brought in to freshen things up. All I can say after watching this film is that they should stop right now. If future films come out with the same level of production quality as this film, they will only tarnish the reputation of The X-Files and I’d rather see it rest than to have more episodes that don’t do cinematic justice to the material.