The X-Files: I Want to Believe

The film's ambition may well be to "stand alone" but, alas, it doesn't even stand up.

Only a fan would be inclined to tolerate this dunderheaded mystery.

The best thrillers dig deeper than this one does, as did the best of The X Files on TV before the series ran out of steam.

The only truly memorable element is Billy Connolly, who pops up rather desperately as a self-castrated paedophile psychic priest. Enough now.

I want to believe there are still quality X-Files stories to tell, even if this one wasn’t. I want to believe this, but like the protagonists in the movie, my beliefs are conflicted with doubt and reservation.

…the story may be missing some beats, but there’s still an interesting chemistry between the leads, and the conflict between science and religion is an edgy seam to mine…

One of the major criticisms levelled at The X-Files: I Want To Believe is that it is like an episode of the television series - and a mediocre episode at that. I have to say that this is true.

Having not seen a single episode of The X-Files before, this does work as a (mostly) standalone film. If only it weren't such a slog before getting to the bonkers climax.