MovieChat Forums > The X Files: I Want to Believe (2008) Discussion > Revisted both films and they've improved...

Revisted both films and they've improved with time

posted 9 years ago by Cube_Brick1138
7 replies | jump to latest

The first X-Files film didn't do much for me at the time of it's release. But I re-watched it last night and realised just how well made it is. The larger budget meant better lenses, bigger set pieces and more time for the story to develop. It went from a 5 to an 8 just by allowing a bit of time to pass and giving it a different context.

While re-watching 'I Want To Believe' I actually found a new appreciation for it's tone. It felt very similar to 'The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo'. It's admittedly a dark film, but I thought as a stand alone it works well. Definitely not a film for someone new to the series. But as a general thriller for a rainy Friday night it'll do it's job.

"I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by madness"

[–] DD_the_Great 9 years ago

Oh yes, I agree so much. At no time did I not think they are both good films but now after years I like them even more. Number one film feels very much like the cinema sort it was aimed for, and the next, this one is an exciting and dark story that looks like cinema but feels cozy like a good X-File. 

[–] terrasolo 9 years ago

I've always loved the first film myself and I remember coming out of the theater after the second one thinking it was a really good film. I think what helped me was that Chris said from the beginning that it was not going to be a Mythology story so I was able to set aside any expectations going into the film and just enjoy it like I used to when a new episode would air.

I know a lot of people were really upset that it wasn't a Mythology story and admittedly a story dealing with Colonization would have been nice but what we got was a really good story and I'm glad to see posts like this popping up from time to time with people showing their appreciation for the films.

What you said about the first film being so well made, of course I agree with you there, but I had the same thought after seeing the second one. Lots of great visual, use of light, really nice shot set ups etc. I felt Chris did a wonderful job on the directing.

-Terrasolo
www.kasterborous.com
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[–] sploiter 9 years ago

F.T.F. is the best looking T.V. show ep ever but I think there were better XF eps than that specially the 2 parters. XF 2 is a excellent M.O.T.W. ep and I like it a lot.

[–] Lopsided55 9 years ago

I agree. I liked the first one, but it was better in retrospect than I remembered. It looked gorgeous. The second, I hated. Probably too high expectations. In retrospect it isn't terrible. It feels a bit flat, like a not particularly great MOTW but there's good character stuff and interesting ideas.

[–] WhoToTrust 9 years ago

So to be fair, it would be more accurate to say that it's you that has changed over time to get to a point to appreciate them more rather than "they've (the movies) improved over time"...since they're still the same movies they were the first time you saw them?



[–] Cube_Brick1138 8 years ago

Actually you're right, ha! Well put.

"I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by madness"

[–] atd8vii (592) 6 years ago

I've been trying to get around to watching this for 10 years now and I didn't mind it. Not great but I'm a big fan of the show and love the monster of the week episodes just as much as the linear conspiracy ones. Some of the effects in this are a little dated but the practical effects with the severed limbs are quite well done.

I still prefer Fight The Future to this one though.