I saw the movie at an advanced screening with a fellow Durannie-Phile and again on opening day with a group of slashers and shippers and I thought it was absolutely fantastic. If you haven't seen the film, don't listen to those people who say that if you're a fan of the show, you'll be disappointed. I had problems with the film , but I certainly wouldn't call it a disappointment at all - and I am known to be a very tough critic (i.e. "You hate everything, Emile.")

Overall, I absolutely loved the movie the first time, loved it a little less on the second viewing. It tried to do everything and please everyone, which, obviously it couldn't do. But for the sheer ambition, I thought CC and the gang pulled it off admirably well.

What I loved.

Ultimately it was a good two-part mytharc episode. That may sound like a slight, but I loved seeing some of my favorite characters on the big screen. The show is cinematic in its own right - who cares if the movie was just a bigger, louder TV show? It's a damn good one.

I was on the edge of my seat the first time - and not just because I had a 6-foot person in front of me - and grasping the seat with red-knuckle intensity the second. Yet even a wuss like me didn't close her eyes, so don't worry about the scare factor. The plot is largely disjointed, but I believe that the partnership of Mulder and Scully (and I mean that both professionally and romantically) is more the focus of the film than the conspiracies and aliens and other chaos surrounding them, so I can forgive 1013 their misgivings. They have a franchise to maintain - don't go expecting all your questions to be answered right away and I think you'll walk away happy.

Mulder & Scully - happy to be working together again

Whereas WorkingTogether!Mulder and Scully were largely absent from Season 5, it was great to see a pay-off in the movie. I was initially annoyed that we would see Scully traumatized again, but I was surprised to find that I wasn't irritated by the treatment of Scully at all. The fact that she was named in no uncertain terms as the one who Mulder holds more dear than anyone else underscored the need for the audience to see how far Mulder will go for his Scully before the poor woman gives birth by exceptionally painful Caesarean. And it is endearing to see them working together rather than fighting each other, as they'd seem to in Season 5. As utterly ridiculous as the idea of two people saving the world might be, David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson make you believe that they would be the ones to do just that.

The use of the Lone Gunmen was brief, but effective. Their presence brought one of the biggest rounds of applause at both screenings I attended (next to YouGoGirl!Scully's "Don't Think! Just pick up the phone and make it happen!" of course). Some of the applause began just at the sound of their voices. Now that's a Phile!

And I'd wear Scully's wardrobe any day (okay, maybe not cinched as tight, but I'd wear it). Nevertheless, one of our reviewers, Manohla Dargis from the LA Weekly and goddess of film review in my humble opinion, commented that Scully's wardrobe is more suited for a fetish ball than an FBI agent. Dargis had a point in that Scully's wardrobe is firmly entrenched in the realm of fantasy. Not that there's anything wrong with that - this is a TV show! What I found funny is that Scully wasn't just wearing the usual heels - she was wearing drag queen footwear. I love how the camera lingered on her in that hip-hugging slit skirt outside the hearing; for a moment, I was afraid we were going to witness Voguing!Scully.

Not surprisingly I loved the score - Mark Snow outdid himself. Hearing the orchestral arrangement of the theme during Mulder and Scully's drive in the desert sent chills up my spine.

Silly as it sounds, I even loved the opening credits. The oil looked almost erotic and reminded me of the opening credits to "Body Heat" - substitute bedsheets for oileans.

But it's not an Emile St. Claire review if there aren't a few gripes...

The film isn't perfect - the plot holes are as huge and gaping as the one left in Antarctica. After the initial glow, I found myself asking questions like "How the hell did a single vaccine cause the entire spaceship to freak out? If that's a weak vaccine, I don't need to see Super-Strength." and "why don't they just drop the damn bee arc already?" Or thinking there were too many Matterhorn shots - moments where either Mulder or Mulder and Scully were doing the ol' Slip 'n' Slide down the ice or down a spaceship making cartoon yelling noises. But I certainly learned one thing from the movie - if I get swarmed by a warehouse full of bees, all I have to do is pull my coat over my head and I'll be fine. Oh. Guess someone should have relayed this to that unfortunate school teacher in "Zero Sum."

In addition to the fact that there was very little Skinner and no Krycek (and CSM didn't do much more than glower), I admit I was most disappointed by the fact that the movie did not tie into Season Five at all. Season Five had been hyped by The Creator himself as a "twenty episode trailer" for the movie. Yet other than than the X-Files being shut down, what really did you have to know? I realize it was really difficult to tie in the movie to the series, given the movie was written a year ago and Season 5 written as we went along. I really thought, however, they were at least going to tie things in to Bill Gates Jr. (that's what I call Gibson, the little braniac in "The End"). :-P

I also hated the fact that we see too much of the aliens. Both the aliens and spaceship looked way too Giger-esque for my taste. Why are aliens almost always wet and gloopy and ugly? Are people afraid to admit that they just might look better than we do? When I posed this question, a fellow X-F list member responded that the need to demonize aliens is an example of how science fiction has changed since the'60's. In the 50's aliens represented the Cold War. In the 60's, science fiction, particularly "Star Trek," reflected an optimism about space, technology, and the future in general. Other than the odd "E.T." or "Mac and Me," aliens in the 80's were represented by dystopias (e.g., "Blade Runner"). Nowadays, aliens are organic killing machines ("Alien," "Species," "Independence Day").

My point in bringing all that up? Well, first of all, if you're going to have Mulder pissing on a ID4 poster, your own aliens and spaceship probably shouldn't resemble theirs, eh? Second, I am so sick of seeing aliens that are supposed to be intelligent enough to take over the world, and yet they are completely primitive in design and savage in nature. Other than the fact that the X-Files aliens have sharp nails and bad tempers and voices only dogs can hear, I certainly don't get the sense that they're that big a threat. I mean, vicious animals scare me, but I couldn't be convinced they'd colonize the planet. To prove this theory, I conducted my own scientific research. Actually, I just called Rozzie and asked her what her friend who thinks he's an alien thought of the movie. "He f***ing loved it, " she replied. "Except for the part with the aliens themselves. He hated the way they looked." "Didn't look enough like dear old Mom?" I asked. "Guess not." Aha! Anyway, Chris Carter mentioned in an interview on LA's KROQ that there is a reason why he chose this particular design for the aliens, and that will be revealed more in Season 6. Hmmm... perhaps these are aliens in their larva stage? In that case, should they have a license to drive a spaceship before they're 16?

FEMA. Was anyone else among Southern California audiences giving in to uproarious laughter at this one? FEMA can't dole out earthquake aid in a timely manner, but they're involved in an intricate plot to help aliens enslave the human race? Hmmm... maybe Carter has something here. Maybe that's why natural disasters takes a backseat to the real crisis at hand.

I loved the camera angles used in the film, but the film stock and lighting were flat and dull, and probably contributed to the reigning notion that the film looked more like an episode than a movie. I also wasn't as impressed with some of the effects as others. The ice falling beneath Mulder and Scully's feet was spectacular, but some of the blue-screen was really bad; you could still see the blue screen seams around Mulder's head a couple of times - like when he looks back at the bombed building and when he's in Antarctica.

And it looks like I'm the only shipper who thought that the second time Scully says "I had you big time," is possibly the worst line ever. Like in the history of the X-Files. Like in the history of sci-fi. Possibly the history of celluloid. It was cute the first time, but when you've just regained consciousness and you're about to get chomped by aliens and a spaceship is ready to blow all around you, pardon me if that just doesn't seem appropriate. For one frightening moment, I thought Chris Carter was implying she'd faked passing out (in which case Mulder would have had my full permission to smack her back into unconsciousness), but I know Scully isn't that stupid. A completely jarring and inane moment for me.

So I have my gripes. But it is possible to acknowledge the problems and still love the movie. You leave a film with a general feeling or response before you pick it apart - and my feeling was one of satisfaction. The problems are mere nit-picks compared to what made me happy. I saw the movie twice and still thoroughly enjoyed it. And I know I'll see it again sometime before Season 6 starts just in case, god forbid, it relates to the movie somehow.

Kissus Interruptus.

I had to see the film twice, if only because the first audience the first time was so dead (all industry people and geriatrics who were largely unresponsive - sorry, but what an odd bunch to pad an advance screening with) that I couldn't wait until opening day to see the film with real Philes. I think the Durannie-Phile and I managed to annoy everyone sitting within a six-seat range of us - particularly when I inadvertently screamed in frustration at the near-kiss and blew out the 6 footer's eardrums. Let me tell ya, that was embarrassing. Luckily, the opening day crowd was much more into the movie.

The audience on June 19 was practically climbing the walls when Mulder and Scully almost kissed - some yelling "no!" and some yelling, "yes!" and, of course, there was me, screaming when it didn't happen. I've been told that at most screenings, the response was similar - I believe that the majority of even the most casual viewers of the X-Files want to see some development in Mulder and Scully's relationship. On the other hand, one particularly cynical audience in New York was said to have laughed and dismissed the scene as melodramatic. Indeed, Rozzie commented that "someone needs to teach Chris Carter how to write a love scene." Another friend likened the scene to the old "Green Hilly" skit on Saturday Night Live where every character positively smoldered with every breath and every kiss was drawn out to ridiculous lengths.

I can see where it might seem comical, but I personally found Mulder's confession to Scully of what he meant to her so extraordinary that I'm satisfied and willing to be patient for the next baby step in this relationship. Given Chris Carter's adamant denial that Mulder and Scully will ever be in a relationship, I'm surprised he threw us shippers so many bones: from the Speech to the Hug on the Snow to the Hand-Hold (and no, I'm not so desperate for a few shipper crumbs to include the CPR in the list - all I could think was "isn't Mulder getting a bad taste in his mouth?" CPR just ain't sexy, kids.)

And speaking of that Hand-Hold, did anyone else think of the next-to-last scene in "Raiders of the Lost Ark"? Two lovers witness extraordinary events, no one believes them, their evidence gets buried, but they still skip off into the sunset together. All we needed was Scully running up and down the stairs trying to catch Mulder's attention, and Lucas coulda sued. ;->

June 28 - After I saw "The Truman Show," I rushed into the nearest theater showing the ending of "The X-Files" to see if Scully does indeed say "I saw it" when the spaceship takes off (she does, says I. Thank God for once Scully doesn't miss the evidence!) and to witness The Hand-Hold again. I love everything about that scene, starting with Scully's direct gaze on Mulder as she approaches him while he's reading the paper. Gillian Anderson plays Scully with a renewed sense of purpose about the work that remains to be done, and perhaps about Mulder himself. It's a very TakeCharge!Scully moment for me. I hope we see more of her.

And as I watched her firmly take his hand in hers, I was reminded of a beautiful verse from my favorite song by The Doors, "Riders on the Storm" (I think the words apply to this scene in all its connotations!):

Given that CC included a Doors song on the soundtrack, I wouldn't be surprised if he had this one in mind. :->

Something for everyone.

Unlike many Philes, I did indeed find slash in the movie, most notably:

Mulder: "You can strip Byers naked." AND
Skinner (outside the hearing room): "Sit down, they're still talking to Scully." Ooh, yes, sir!!

I was very amused by the "I have an appointment for a pelvic examination" line too. Something about the image of Mulder in stirrups...

I even managed to convince a non-slasher friend over a coffee klatch that there was indeed slash. She now thinks that the Lone Gunmen looked like they were more shocked by arousal than outrage at the thought of Byers stripping naked for Mulder! (Once again, however, I said it in the dream page, but it must be reiterated - I am not into Lone Gunmen slash!)

I supposed you could also have found slash in back alley scene with Mulder and Kurtzweil. If you wanted to, you could interpret Mulder's impatience at Kurtzweil standing there watching him "hold his yank" as "Oh, God - not you too!" But I just can't go there. It's Martin bleepin' Landau, for chrissakes.

Although if we can have Nicotine Naughties... ah, noooooooo!

The absence of Krycek.

I was, as much as anyone, disappointed that our favorite Ratboy was absent. But I did catch the little rat scurrying across the screen. The second time I saw the movie, I just had to point out "Krycek!" which made some people giggle. Afterwards, I overheard someone suggest that maybe Krycek planted the bomb that "killed" Well-Manicured Man (though I really don't want to believe he's dead). That may be far-fetched, but it does fit into my theory that the reason Krycek rejoined the Consortium is to seek revenge from within. The fact that the car blew up soon afterwards cut short a good Ratfan moment for me, though.

Well, Krycek may have been missing, but for those who know that I'm still in denial about Nicholas Lea not being in the film, I have to tell you he was just amazing as Walter Skinner. And as the scurrying rat. Damn, that man can act! Think Nick's a Method actor? What I love about Nick Lea is the fact that he's so humble, he'll appear in the X-Files movie and let other actors take the credit for him. ;->

Anyway, in that KROQ interview, Chris Carter that he was sorry that he wasn't able to include Krycek in the movie, but that he has "big plans" for Krycek in Season 6.

:::applause from Emile::: That's what we like to hear. ;-> We'll hold you to that.

Will the non-Philes enjoy the film?

I am concerned that, contrary to what Chris Carter tried to achieve, the non-Philes may have a very difficult time following the movie. For many Philes, the film made the conspiracies much clearer than the show every has. Two non-Phile friends commented that the plot and characters were hard to follow and that it was "an okay action film" and not much more.

More surprising, my freak friend, Phil - the one who didn't even know there was an X-Files film until I told him in May - went to see it opening weekend on my suggestion. He wasn't impressed, though - he thought the film was a re-hash of the "mean old white men control the world" plot and even though he's never seen the show, could tell the near-kiss scene was the culmination of years of chain yanking. In general he thought the film was too Spielbergian (which is funny given my dream about Duchovny starring in a movie directed by Spielberg) and did not appreciate the "North by Northwest" references in the helicopter chase/cornfield scene. I'll have to work on him. ;->

I'm hoping, though, that people who enjoyed the film will be encouraged to watch the series and catch up.

BTW - Armin Mueller-Stahl (who played "Strughold" - a character whose name I find irritatingly similar to "Kerri Strug") was indeed the father in "Shine" (I'll concede that perhaps that part was not played by Nicholas Lea). And, perhaps, not surprisingly, since I've had a crush on the "middle guy," Noah Taylor, I have a "Shine" website if you want to know more. ;->

Emile,
Phile in Denial:
Let's take Nick Lea all the way to the Oscars in '99, baby!

Third time's the charm.

On July 3, a friend of mine casually mentioned that she wanted to see the movie. I said, "Oh, okay, twist my arm! I'll go with you to see the movie a third time! Jeez!" "Well, that took a lot of effort, " she retorted. "I'm sorry this pains you so." I wore the X-Files wristwatch she'd given me to the theater - special occasion, you understand. "Oh, yeah, you won't look like a geek wearing that to the movie," was her comment. We saw the movie at Mann's Chinese Theater in Hollywood - yeah, that one with the footprints and stars and premieres. Great theater - if you get a chance to see the X-Files movie there, grab it.

The third time the movie actually started to make sense to me. Now I'm scared. Guess that's what they call brainwashing, eh? Leave it to the marketing genius of Chris Carter to make a movie you'll have to see more than once just to get a grip on it. Well, to be honest, the plot looked just as silly as before - it's just that now in the world of X-Files Plot Holes, everything seemed to happen the way they were supposed to happen. Parts of the film even seemed incredible to me. Maybe I'm just getting more "focused." I was certainly paying closer attention this time around based on what I'd read on the mailing lists. Anyway, I just can't resist seeing David and Gillian on the big screen again. The day after that third time, I watched a couple of X-F episodes at home, and I don't care what the critics say - those two belong on film. The small screen just pales in comparison now.

So anyway, I made a few new observations:

I'm thinking now that maybe it's a good thing that Well-Manicured Man is gone, if only for the fact that we don't have to hear him say, "My God!" one more time. It was turning into his answer to "Great Ceasar's Ghost!" But I must say, an evil part of me loves the way he basically calls Mulder an imbecile in that deliciously subtle way only British people know how.

Personally, I'm getting sick of people asking me how I thought Mulder and Scully got out of Antartica (I agree with Frank Spotnitz on this one - some details are just too boriing to cover) but once and for all the Sno-Cat did not appear to run out of gas - the gauge jumped from half-full to empty when Mulder struggled to turn off the ignition, but it still had gas, and I'm assuming it was still parked over the hill after the spaceship. Okay, now I'm lulling myself to sleep...

After the film, my friend had many questions, which I think I answered fairly well. She wanted to know in particular why Scully keeps getting abducted "all the time." That one I couldn't answer. You can argue 'til you're blue in the face that Scully rescues Mulder more often than he rescues her, but I personally feel that the way he's suffered is never as invasive as the violations Scully suffers, nor the emotional impact usually as severe (save for the abduction of Samantha and the death of his father). Not that I consider Scully a victim - but I think it's interesting that even a non-Phile thinks the Scully-in-jeopardy thing's getting a bit tired. At least we were spared hospital death-bed scenes.

Speaking of Scully in jeopardy, when Mulder pulls that alien umbilical cord out of her mouth, every audience I've been with starts giggling. It looks like he's about to pull her tonsils out, that's why. I could see it now: "Oh, you didn't need these anyway, did you?" "*Hack, hack*."

If you didn't think I could squeeze another Noah Taylor reference into this review, think again. The establishing shot of London was made just outside the Royal Music Hall, where part of "Shine" was filmed. Whoo-hah!

Twin Peaks References: Call me delusional, but I saw at least three. I've decided that the "Jiffy Pop Poppers" are a thinly veiled homage to "Twin Peaks." Why not? They certainly look like silicone implants. And the FBI agent ordered by Michaud to send the dogs sniffing again through the building that doesn't get bombed) looks like Kyle MacLachlan. Each time I saw the film, I found myself doing double-takes. And the ambulance that takes Scully away bears the name "Cooper." Dale Cooper. Don't tell me that's an accident. Jeezus, I need a life.

Leave it to the X-Philes to claim they've heard and seen things in the movie that range from the plausible to the utterly ridiculous. If you believe what you read, half the world's making a cameo and Mulder's reciting Shakespearean soliloquies under his breath. Let's see if we can cut through a few of these rumors:

Kissus Interuptus - Mulder does mouth "I'm sorry." I don't think, however, he looks so much ashamed as chagrined. It's more like "G*dammit." And he does not whisper, "I love you" every chance he has, nor does she.

I did not notice a Chris Carter cameo in the film, but who's to say it ain't so? But, people, Steven B. Williams is definitely not in the movie! With Mr. X being one of my favorite characters, I think I'd catch that one! But this time, I did notice Nick Lea's performance as Bronschweig. Stunning. Absolutely stunning. ;->

Hmmm... re-reading this review, I realize I'm veering dangerously close to Fangirl territory. Maybe I've seen this film too many times already. Ya think?

Nah...