To start off with, I do not watch the TV show, so I'm coming from a place of ignorance when it comes to The X-Files: Fight the Future. However, even without knowing anything about the characters or story lines, I found that I enjoyed this movie a lot, and will probably now start watching the shows reruns.

The movie starts off tens of thousands of years in the past, where an alien life form is roaming in underground caves. Fast forward to the present, and that same life form is unearthed by some kids in Texas. No one knows what killed this boy, and the firemen sent down to save him. Or maybe, someone does know. Enter Special Agents Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson). A seemlingly unconnected terrorist bombing is linked with the mysterious deaths in Texas, and lead Mulder and Scully all over the world to figure out this global conspiracy. Who knows about this alien life form? And why are they trying so hard to keep it a secret?

From what I've been told, a lot of the regulars on the TV show make an appearance in the movie. But as I said earlier, even without knowing who these people are, the movie itself is good enough to stand on its own. What I found I liked the most, and the reason I'll start watching the show, is the interaction between Duchovny and Anderson. After 5 years together, these two work perfectly as a team. They know each other so well; you feel the chemistry and tension between them. The supporting cast was strong, and I liked the idea that an entire alien race is being hidden from the world by a bunch of old white men. The story itself, while again from what I hear doesn't really conclude any plot points from the show, nor start any new ones, manages to stand by itself. The scenery was terrific, especially the opening sequence in the underground caves. What I was disappointed with was it seemed as if Duchovny was in the movie a lot more than Anderson. It was as if he was the star of the film, and she was a supporting member. The story seemed to revolve around him, and she was there to play off of. I wish that Chris Carter (the series writer and creator, and screenwriter for this film) would have made her more of an equal. The other problem I had was that while the plot was good, at times it wasn't explained as much as it could have been. The reason for the cover-up wasn't made as clear as it could have been, at least in my mind.

Whether you're a fan or not, The X-Files: Fight the Future is a good way to spend a couple hours in a nice air conditioned environment.

The X-Files movie really is as good a big screen adaptation as you could possibly hope for.

It helps that it's entirely controlled by the people behind the series, and that the programme had cinematic qualities in the first place. On repeat viewings, however, the story is revealed to be thin, and lacking in incident. Its need to tie into events of the series makes it not wholly satisfying as a stand-alone vehicle, though it should still be understandable to those that have never seen an episode.

David Duchovny as Mulder seems surprisingly at ease in his limited way, while Martin Landau is good as far as plot devices go. Gillian Anderson is unfortunately encouraged to overstate her lines, particularly in the beginning, while a cameo by The Lone Gunmen is perhaps the only indulgence that would be lost on non-fans.

There are inevitable concessions to the cinema format, of course. Not the touted mild use of expletives, which happened from time to time on TV anyway. But the alien presence that mutates to owe a debt to Ridley Scott's Alien, or the near-kiss between the two leads. Thankfully, the first point actually makes a logical sense and carries the story forward. The second is something that was also long overdue, and silly that it took so long. For two people who obviously feel about each other the way Mulder and Scully do, to go five years without even kissing is stretching credulity.

Ultimately, though, it lacks any clear focus for a casual film audience, and flits repetitively from action sequence to sloppy exposition and back again throughout its duration. Creator Chris Carter, like Gene Roddenberry with Star Trek before him, is not the smoothest writer of his own series, though he does adequately most of the time. Worst example is the opening Mulder/Scully scene which is laughably trite, and there are plenty more examples of Carter's trademark purple prose. Yet it does have a beginning, middle and end, and can be watched back-to-back with a TV episode with no noticeable jumps in style. In that sense, then, it is a most successful big-screen adaptation of a television series.

Hard-core X-File fans will be inclined to award an extra mark to the total, then. But for a non-committal audience, this is a "6" as they would have no idea from watching this that the frail, fag-smoking pensioner is the series' major villain.

I've met a LOT of people who whine that this is just a two-hour episode with a big budget. I don't see how that's a complaint. I mean, if one of the best-written, best-directed, most atmospheric shows on television makes a movie-length episode that can stand on its own...what's the problem? That still makes it more intelligent than 90% of the movies put out this summer.

Rob Bowman(frequent TV series director) was chosen to direct this first feature film spun-off the popular TV series that stars David Duchovny & Gillian Anderson as Fox Mulder & Dana Scully, who are assigned to Texas on a bomb-threat detail that proves to be no hoax, and after investigating, it turns out to be connected to the ongoing syndicate conspiracy led by their nemesis the Smoking Man(played by William B. Davis) to cover up an alien virus related to the very aliens they had been searching for in the past five years. Martin Landau costars as Alvin Kurtzweil, a doctor who knows something of the incident. Plot climaxes in the Arctic, where Mulder must rescue a kidnapped Scully from a spaceship...Killer Bees also play a part. Good film fits in well with the series, and also works as a stand-alone tale. Exciting action scenes, and was nice to see these characters on the big screen.

Really just a big-scale version of a typical two-part episode though.

If you remember a little decade called "The '90's", you'll definitely remember that The X-Files was one of the biggest shows of that decade. The X-Files had so many different fans, I have to admit that I was a fan, not so much to the extent as many others were, but I enjoyed the show. However, I think because my friend rubbed it in my face so much of how much this show was the best television show to ever hit the air waves, I steered clear of the movie. But I was renting movies the other day and came across The X-Files, and figured to just give the movie a shot, it's been how many years since the show ended? But I watched it last night and I liked the movie. I think the only thing is, is this was a movie that was definitely made for the fans and no one else, because if you didn't watch the show, you won't get into the movie.

Mulder and Scully are on the case again after they learn of a deadly "virus" that is killing off the planet. Of course the government is covering it up, making it seem like it's more of a terrorist or a horrible flu. Mulder wants to make the truth known, but Scully has just given up, that is until she is attacked by a bug carrying the virus and Mulder will not give up on her. He saves her, but she needs more strength if they are to make it out of this situation alive.

The X-Files the movie is a cool sci fi film, if you are not a fan or didn't watch the series, there is a small chance you'll get into the film. But this was a definite treat for the fans, this is the film they wanted and as much as I hate this saying, The X-Files is just an extended episode with a bigger budget, but it's still a cool film. I liked it, Mulder and Scully always provide perfect entertainment and I just love Mulder going into his infamous speeches of "the truth is out there", so over dramatic, but you gotta love his passion in it. The X-Files is worth the look, it's a fun film and is cool sci-fi.

7/10

Originally known simply as "The X-Files" but now as "The X-Files: Fight the Future," this 1998 film is essentially an elongated episode of the TV series with a bigger budget. I've never been more than a casual viewer and, to me, this film represents the best the series had to offer.

Everyone knows that creator Chris Carter was inspired by the Night Stalker TV Series when he formulated The X-Files. Whereas that brief 70s series was overt and almost cartoony with it's depictions of the paranormal, The X-Files always took a more subdued, realistic approach. To some, this made it boring; to others, fascinating; to many, a mixture of both.

The way the plot in the movie unfolds is similar to "Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark," albeit more serious and quasi-believable. After an explosion reminiscent of the Oklahoma City bombing, FBI agents Mulder and Scully stumble on an otherworldy virus and an intricate governmental cover-up. Their investigation leads them all over the map and, ultimately, to Antarctica, with numerous mysterious happenings.

Other than the paranormal, the appeal of The X-Files has always been Gillian Anderson. What a uniquely beautiful redhead!

The film runs two hours and was shot in California, British Columbia, Texas, New Jersey, London and Washington DC.

GRADE: B+

In 35,000 BC northern Texas, two men enter an ice cave to find shelter. They battle a mysterious creature. A black substance oozes from the creature and infects one of the men. In the present day, a boy falls into the cave and is infected by the black ooze. Firefighters climb in and are also attacked. One week later, the FBI is checking on a bomb threat in Dallas. Special Agents Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) go to the building across the street on a hunch. They find the bomb and barely escape. The pair is made the scapegoats. Alvin Kurtzweil (Martin Landau) tells Fox that FEMA has a secret isolation ward in the building. The boy and the firefighters are found in the rubble presumed to be killed by the blast.

Mulder and Scully's banter is back almost immediately. Everything that is beloved about the show is present in this movie. They are the outsiders. There is a conspiracy. There is something creepy. This is what true fans of the show love. For non-fans, this can be a bit of a climb to understand everything.

Now this was an X-Files. I only say that because I just watched "The X-Files: I Want to Believe" and it was so bad I cut it off midway through. It's only connection to "X-Files" proper were Chris Carter, David Duchovny, and Gillian Anderson.

"The X-Files" 1998 movie is what "X-Files" is all about: extraterrestrials, unexplained occurrences, and massive cover ups. Again Scully and Mulder approach a case in their own unique fashion to get to the truth. Though this was a movie, it adhered to the same look and feel as the show so it was more like a two hour show.

How could anyone not like this movie? Even those that are not regular followers of the T.V. show could get a real thrill out of this movie. I like how they worked it so that the fans who followed the show weren't falling asleep and those that didn't follow the show regularly weren't lost. I love the show and follow it regularly. Mulder and Scully kick ass and are one of the most interesting teams that I've seen on T.V. The closest team I have seen would be on CBS; that team would be the CSI:Crime Scene Investigation. But as far as this movie is concerned it is literally out of this world! As Chris Carter has made famous "Trust No One" this is really a movie you can take a wild ride with!

Have you ever seen an episode of the X-Files on TV? You have? No you haven't? Well that doesn't matter at all because this movie stands alone from the TV show.

I watched the show from day one, from it's first episode before it got big and popular. However that being more then 12 years ago this fall I can not even really remember the episodes or anything. I've simply erased from my brain.

This movie however from seeing it in the theater I have never forgot it. It is Sci-Fi at some of its best! The film is great and very entertaining. The only reason I even give it a 7 out of 10 is because it does get slow in a few places but other then that it is one X-Tastic of a film! Have you seen this movie? If you have not and you have an opportunity to see it and you like sci-fi then make a date with the X-Files, pop some popcorn and sit back on a great adventure of Fox Mulder and Dana Scully! You won't be sorry.

Well-paced and well-crafted, "The X-Files" is a surprisingly good movie that does not try to get cute and go away from the things that made the series such a national phenomenon. David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson seem out of place working with bomb squads and doing other mundane duties after their department is shut down by the government. However the two feel that something really major is up which involves alien colonization on Earth and a vast government cover-up that goes through the highest places in the U.S. political realm. A good screenplay and solid direction make "The X-Files" a first-rate film from a very good cinematic year. 4 stars out of 5.

Not a fan of the show, but I liked this movie. Yeah, I didn't expect that either . . .

What surprised me the most is that you don't need any knowledge of the TV series - highly serialized as it is - to fully absorb the film; it stands completely on its own. We get everything we need to know just from Mulder's melancholy in a bar, and then we're off to Conspiracy Land.

And this rabbit hole goes deep, keeping our FBI heroes in near-constsnt peril even as the bureau is looking to hang them out to dry. The film starts off on a delightfully creepy note, and the locations (Texas especially) feel authentic. The sense of locale really comes through here.

What also comes across extremely well is the chemistry between Duchovny and Anderson. These characters share a distinct past (even if you haven't seen the show) and you really do root for them to get clear of this. This is not an easy thing to pull off, especially for a movie that follows five seasons of TV. That is indeed impressive.

The first time I saw this film I was expecting something less than spectacular because of the mixed reviews I had read before going. Was I surprised! It was one of the most incredible cinematic experience of my life, certainly of the year. Maybe you think I'm nuts and, heck, maybe I am but what I'm saying is true. I am a fan of the series and it's probably why I liked it so much. It had a great storyline that explained a lot of the mysteries that had been hanging for years while bringing all new ones. It also had unbelievable FX that never could have been made for the TV show and the aliens were just simply scary! Many many great scenes, not just a few good ones isolated throughout the film. And the ending is just fantastic, suspenseful and very intriguing. I can't wait for the 6th season to begin.

I was an X-Phile. When the movie came out, I had watched almost every single episode. I continued to watch the show after the movie, but my interest had wavered by the seventh series.

This movie was okay but underwhelming. It just didn't have the scale and scope that a movie should have compared to a television series. Now television has come in leaps and bounds over time. Just look at what they do on '24' each week - every episode is like a mini-movie. And many of the X-File episodes like the 'Duane Barry' trilogy, and 'Anasazi' trilogy were cracking in their pace and drama. But the movie just feels like a glorified television episode. I remember a documentary on the making of the movie, and the cast and crew were excitedly describing the opening of the movie where a bomb goes off in a building. Now everyone involved was understandably chuffed and excited by the new experience, but all filmgoers know that blowing up things are like the meat and potatoes of action movies. It's been done over and over and over.

Overall, they were trying to push forward for the hardcore fans but also draw in a wider audience. This holds the movie back in many ways. The plot was a tad too complex and insiderish for the non-fans and they slightly over-estimated the fanbase pleasure at just seeing Mulder, Scully and the Cigarette Man on the big-screen. The big sequences - the bomb, the corn field - were not large enough for the average person. Winking at the fans like Mulder and Scully 'stung kissing' and Scully missing out seeing the paranormal stuff was cute but becoming a bit too much of a tease by this stage. There were no great revelations or twists for anybody. Too much sitting around in smoke-filled rooms and not enough humour.

The above is mostly criticism because I was a long-time fan. But it's not a bad film - like I said, just a big TV episode. If you were a fan of the show and for some reason haven't seen it yet, you should give it a whirl. Others could probably give it a miss. They're saying now that the second film will be more of a monster of the week thing than a mythology thing, which shows they may have learnt something. I mean, the mythology eventually became so convoluted with so many questions and almost no answers that I don't think they could make it into an accessible movie if they tried. For the next movie, I assume Chris Carter, Frank Spotnitz, and Rob Bowman will be the likely creative team but all the hardcore fans know that Glen Morgan and James Wong wrote some of the best eps - however they too have fallen off the wagon - 'Final Destination' movies and 'The One.' Oh well, fingers crossed anyway ...

The X-Files is a great movie with a well developed storyline with a talented cast.I have never seen a single episode of the television series and decided to watch this movie when I saw that it was on TV,I was afraid that I wouldn't set a lot of it since I haven't watched the series,but it was clearly written so people who don't watch the series could still understand what was going on.The two main actors,Derek Duchovney and Gillian Anderson,are the best part of this movie,they both suit their characters extremely well and you can tell with the on screen chemistry that they were use to working with each other from the series.I think fans of the series will probably still enjoy it very much,but people who haven't seen the X-Files can still definitely watch the movie,and I would recommend as a good sci-fi and mystery.

Mulder and Scully get caught up in a worldwide conspiracy that could change the future of mankind.

This movie was little more than two episodes tacked together. Two not very good ones at that. The first half of the film was just a complete rehash of the bee episode and the second half was just a poor rip-off of Alien. I couldn't see where the money went either. To confuse the issue further, one of the guys from Millennium gets blown up, except he wasn't playing his Millennium character (wouldn't it have made sense to have used someone else?). Also I am sick and tired of Scully continually not seeing crucial evidence that could convince her that Mulder is possibly sometimes right (as we know he is 99% of the time at least). I mean, this time a spaceship the size of Kansas is overhead for at least a minute and yet somehow she's looking into the ice until the instant it disappers, then she looks up. Stupid, isn't it, how something like that happens every single time like clockwork? A horrible movie but maybe there's hope. After all, the first Star Trek was hopeless but they got better after that.