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

I am a huge fan, otherwise known as an X-Phile. Because I'm such a big fan, perhaps I was expecting a little too much from the X-Files movie. I just wasn't impressed. (But that didn't stop me from buying it on DVD.)

Why the big let down?

The movie just didn't satisfy its loyal TV viewers. I was looking for so much more. I understand that they revised the script a million times to "dumb it down" for non-fans so that they wouldn't be completely clueless. But they oversimplified a very complex plot and really didn't do much to appease either the fans or the non-fans. Non-fans were still confused by the conspiracy theory, had no idea who Cancerman or the Well-Manicured Man were. And fans were wondering what happened to the bounty hunters and Mulder's long lost sister Samantha. Sure, they explained the Samantha thing a season and a half later in the TV series, but that didn't count for much when we'd been waiting for the movie to come out.

Movie basics: The Actors

I will always love David Duchovny. And Gillian Anderson too, I guess. They interact so well, with just the right amount of chemistry and sexual tension. (But I'm not a Shipper. I didn't want them to kiss. The tension is better than the gratification, in my opinion.) They have such a battle of wits and constant banter that puts my own talent at sarcasm to shame. DD is intriguing as Agent Fox Mulder, the FBI Special Agent on an everlasting quest for knowledge and the Truth with a capital T. GA is wonderful as Dana Scully, his partner and the balance in Mulder's life. Their acting always looks real, never fake. And while sometimes exaggerated, that is usually the intention of the script when that occurs.

The Plot Thickens

I was left wanting for much, much more from this movie. Chris Carter and his team were billing it as the answer to all of our questions, when in fact it didn't answer much of anything. We were just left with more questions. And while that's what we've all come to expect from the X-Files, the movie just didn't do enough for me as far as furthering the plot of the TV series. It was simply a media vehicle to make more money off of the series.

The Special Effects

Since the move from Vancouver to California, the TV series has seen a dramatic increase in the quality of the show's special effects. These were all precipitated by the movie. An intricately crafted spaceship is only one of the magnificent feats in the art of special effects. The alien babies (nasty little suckers!) were interesting, of course. And we mustn't forget the black oil. I just wish that the Hollywoodization of the X-Files didn't involve quite so much blood. At least we did see a good use of shadows and light when our doctor friend got attacked in the research facility.

Overall

If you like the X-Files series, you'll probably like the movie. If you love the series, you probably won't like the movie quite so much. (If you can identify where "At times I almost dream" came from in my title, you qualify as a true X-Phile and probably expected more from the movie like I did.) If you haven't watched the series, you might still like the movie anyways. You just might be a bit confused.

I picked this up more for my wife, who was a diehard X-files fan throughout high school. She had the box sets for seasons five and six, but not the movie that bridges the two. We had hoped to find Fight the Future available again at retail when the new movie came out this summer, but instead they put out some random old episodes from the series that we already had or weren't particularly memorable. Since seasons four through seven were the creative peak for the classic show, the movie provides excellent DVD "Comfort Food". When the shows producers weren't playing around with the vastly expanded budget for effects and locales (yes, much of the film actually takes place in neither Vancouver nor around LA, for a change!, the plot pretty much plays out like a longer TV episode. Think of the Star Trek movies they made in the nineties with the Next Generation cast and you'll have a good idea of how this movie goes. Could it stand alone without the show? Everytime TV show producers try this, with the exception of the First Star Trek movies which came out more than a decade after the show, they always fail. But if you liked X-files back when it was good, this'll evoke plenty of pleasant memories

I have become an avid fan of the X-Files and just had to own the movie. Great DVD for anyone who loves an adventure!

Great movie for the X-File series fan. Must see to understand some of the later series filmed in 1998 & beyond.

I am a big X-Files fan and had had a hard time finding this movie in stores. But I found it easily on eBay, got a brand new widescreen dvd at a fantastic price, very fair delivery charges and speedy delivery. I love the movie, watch it often, and the edition I bought even had a limited edition collectors card - something I wasn't expecting. I'm not a huge eBay buyer (approx. 25 purchases) but I have yet to have a bad experience.

I love, love, love this movie!! Anyone who loves the X-files, aliens, and government conspiracies will love this too. David Duchovny (Mulder) and Gillian Anderson (Scully) played their roles flawlessly. This movie is definitely a must see!

Best movie ever - can't wait for the new one to be released July 25, 2008.
This movie really does pieve together some of Mulder & Scullys personal life as well as their lives as agents. It really makes you see that there are many things out there, more than what meets the eye. Remember, the truth is out there!

Im a X-Files fan, and this movie is no exepsion...
if you like or love The X-Files like i do, you will Love this Movie.
it's base on the Super cool series.
i give it two thumbs up! & A++++ plus I Recomend this movie to all.

I like everything about the X-Files. I bought it because I'm a huge X-Files fan. I don't know what else you want me to sat. I think what I've said pretty much covers it all.

This movie is an GREAT addition to your X-files collection, but i dont see why people are dissapointed...

This movie acts as a BRIDGE between sweason 5 and 6, its supposed to tell you what happens between those seasons and it began on Season 5's finale the middle happens in the movie here, and 1st episode of season 6 ends it. I personally enjoyed that, but then again, your talking to the girl who owns Seasons 1-9, The Lone Gunmen, Millenium 1-3, X-files on Playstation 1, X-files resist or serve on PS2, and X-files database for PC, and i hope the 2nd movie arrives soon, anyway, buy this movie