The premise: MINOR SPOILERS

At the conclusion of the fifth season, The X-Files have been closed as those who have been conspiring with the alien forces have desired to do, since Mulder and Scully were getting a little too close to their flame.

The movie opens with a stunning scene taking the viewers back thirty five thousand years where we witness an encounter between cavemen and an alien. We're then taken to the present day where Mulder and Scully are in Dallas, TX. The X-Files are closed and they're working as normal agents, searching for a bomb on a hot Texas day. Unfortunately for them, although Mulder discovers the location of the bomb, it still goes off, killing a senior agent and supposedly three other people in the building. This leads to the FBI needing scapegoats and directing the separation of Mulder and Scully. Of course, Mulder can't sit still for this and in the only way he and Scully know how, they begin to uncover the conspirators' plots.

What follows is simply a silver screen masterpiece as we are finally, after five wonderful years of questions, given some answers. Unfortunately along with these long awaited answers we find that there are more questions. As the producers of the show have stated all along, they've been making television movies all along and were ready for the big screen, so right they were.

Exceptional performances by David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, William B. Davis and Mitch Pileggi. Nods to Chris Carter and director Rob Bowman for casting Martin Landau. Mark Snow who has done the score for every episode is, of course, given the opportunity to exceed his own high standards in the film, as the score is beautifully played out. Highlighting the score is the film being digitally THX mastered.

Bonus Features:

The Making of "The X-Files;" Audio Commentary; Extra Footage and Theatrical Trailers. Included in the DVD case is a special eight page booklet giving a short synopsis of several of "The X-Files" key players and a small card displaying one of the many wonderful paintings done of Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny.

I would highly recommend this film, even for the casual viewer or somebody new to the genre as the filmmakers ensured to make it accessible to even those who'd never once seen an episode.


An Extended, Four-Star Episode for Fans   November 2, 2004
 26 out of 38 found this review helpful

For The X-Files aficionados, this movie is a must-see, not because of any wonderful cinematic magic but because of the coherence it adds to the complicated, spread out conspiracy theories that abound in the television series. The feature length film acts like a bridge between season 5 and 6, with information contained in the movie used later in the series. Although fans don't need to see the movie to understand later episodes, it adds to the enjoyment of them.

Naturally, the plot is too complicated to fully describe without giving away spoilers, so let it suffice to say that a mysterious underground discovery in North Texas and a Oklahoma City style bombing in Dallas are linked in ways that shock even Mulder (David Duchovny). Scully (Gillian Anderson) and Mulder are once again the FBI scapegoats who must prove their integrity to a panel of grim-faced investigators who are intent on closing down the X-files. Many favorites make appearances - Cigarette Smoking Man, the secret society of old white men, the Lone Gunmen, Skinner - with the addition of a new conspiracy informant played by Martin Landau. Plot lines of alien viruses, Samantha Mulder's abduction, mysterious midnight shipments via trains, and government cover-ups dovetail in this convoluted yet strangely logical screenplay. The worst part from a The X-Files fan is the rapid-fire exposition coming out of Scully and Mulder for those who have no background in the series. For the uninitiated, the words come out too fast to grasp. By far the coolest scene occurs near the end in a collapsing, snow covered terrain.

Don't waste your time or money if you have only a marginal interest in The X-Files, as the film's interest comes from its relationship to the television episodes. If you are a fan, you should see this since, even though it's not great cinema, it adds another dimension to what you've already seen. Four stars for The X-Files fans, two stars for the average viewer.


Aliens and bees and corn fields, oh my!   January 27, 2001
 19 out of 20 found this review helpful

"The X-Files: Fight the Future" is an endlessly fascinating and complicated movie that ties together all the mythology pieces from the popular series upon which it's based. Although I think that people who never watch the show can enjoy this movie, I doubt they can understand it very well. Heck, I watch the show religiously and I still don't think I understand everything.

However, it succeeds in introducing the audience to the characters of Agents Mulder and Scully, without rehashing the things that are familiar to the fans of the show. When we are first introduced to our favorite duo, their conversation on their cell phones is enjoyable to both old audiences and new ones alike.

The film also makes clear the deep affection and love Mulder and Scully feel for each other--something regular viewers already know--which comes to a head in the famous hallway scene outside of Mulder's apartment.

The film is top quality, as we've come to expect no less from "The X-Files," with an intelligent story-line, great action sequences and special effects, and plenty of aliens to satisfy the sci-fi junkie in all of us. But don't get me wrong--you don't have to be a sci-fi junkie to enjoy this film. You have to like a good suspense/thriller, with some action, intelligent story-telling, and yes, a little bit of hinted-at romance. I mean, for "The X-Files," any 'Shipper will tell you that this is a pretty romantic movie. As one of those so-called 'Shippers, I was very angry at that darn bee, which was my biggest disappointment.

The DVD itself is nicely presented, with all the theatrical trailers, an informative commentary track by Rob Bowman and Chris Carter, and an interesting behind-the-scenes look at the making of the film. Best of all, it has added footage not originally in the theatrical version.

This DVD is sure to please all forms of movie-goers. =)


FIGHT THE FUTURE made me a fan   June 9, 1999
 13 out of 15 found this review helpful

I watched this movie without ever watching an episode of the series before. I came into the movie only knowing that the main characters were FBI agents Mulder and Scully who sought the truth about aliens and government conspiracies that tried to cover up their existance. That was all I knew, I didn't know anything about the black oil, or the bees, or even who the Smoking Man was. This movie did a good job presenting the basics so a first timer (like myself) wouldn't feel totally lost while watching it. David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson were superb in their big screen roles of Fox Mulder and Dana Scully. The hallway (I think you know what I'm talking about!) scene was one of the best scenes of the movie. Now if only there was no bee.... Overall, this movie was X-cellent. The acting was great, the special effects were cool, and the plot kept me on the edge of my seat. I recommend this movie to anyone who has ever watched The X-Files and loved it, and also to anyone who hasn't seen an episode before but likes sci-fi movies. And I'd just like to say thanks to Chris Carter and crew for a really good season 6 - here's onto season 7, unfortunately the very last one. I'll be looking forward to the next X-Files movie, I can't wait until it comes out!


Smart And Original.   October 13, 2000
 13 out of 17 found this review helpful

I have been watching "The X-Files" since its first season and admit that once in a while I pause on watching the show for other things, but I've always been there and the movie is a very good combination of the entire show in film form. Those who have never seen the show won't have trouble watching the movie because it's self-contained. That is the genius of Chris Carter. He has created a movie where it works perfectly as a contiuation of the previous season finale titled "The End" for fans, but still works perfectly for non-fans and will entertain both groups even more with the season premiere that followed titled "The Beginning." The movie isn't total spectacle, but it's smart and creepy and richly-photographed. Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny are also great actors and Rob Bowman has a lot of style in his directing. "The X-Files Movie" is a nice mystery thriller. But what sets it apart from other flicks is the fact that Chris Carter's screenplay gives some reality and plausibility to his alien colonization conspiracy. Here we get detailed scientific facts, realistic political scenarios and an attention to detail that is meticulous. I'm sure that "The X-Files" show and movie have brought reality and plausibility and even romanticism to wild alien conspiracy ideas like no other show or film. It's a cool movie, it deserves a look. Mark Snow's musical score is also quite beautiful, creepy and memorable.