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Post by Captain Ahab on Aug 1, 2008 7:41:36 GMT
Hopefully later today! EDIT: We've moved this from the spoilers forum - mainly because it's not really a new film anymore. If you haven't seen it yet then....shame on you! ...if you have then these posts won't spoil it for you. Thanks - Admin
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Post by Captain Ahab on Aug 1, 2008 17:46:16 GMT
I was expecting to seriously hammer it completely but once the lights went out I felt all that wanting to loathe it drift away as I wanted to give it a fair chance. I was honestly preparing myself to come here and post a long rant about how many of us began a journey 15 years ago, had reached the present only to be visited by a pile of crap. I guess I was a little knocked by the reviews but as stated I dropped all that once the lights dimmed. Overall, I would say it wasn't great but not atrocious. I don't know why but the projector or something was slightly out of line so any time the location showed up in the bottom left hand corner in traditional XF manner, it was somewhat obscured. It was the same with FTF. Annoying.
The FBI characters were wasted, CC's talk about Peet being somehow Scully-like in terms of intelligence just didn't quite come through for me. I wasn't expecting her to be a Scully-clone but generally the FBI peoples were a bit underdeveloped. OK, so it's about M & S, I get that, but sometimes it's no harm to flesh out the surrounding characters, anything, a peculiar personality trait, sorry but I just wanted a little more there. It simply wasn't scary, this is what we kept hearing and what they were trying to sell us from pre-production to now. It didn't have that eery feel of say, The Mist, no real jump out of your seat moments and it just didn't feel like an X File. Of course jumping out of your seat is not always an accurate measure of something being scary, and perhaps TXF often took a less is more approach, and we had plenty of episodes ending with the monster not being fully investigated or caught. I liked some of the little nods such as pencils in the ceiling and Mulder leaving Scully a voicemail, there's something about the Mulder's phone mannerism that I find hilarious. Perhaps Scully was right back in the day 'Mulder, if you had to do without a cell phone for two minutes, you’d lapse into catatonic schizophrenia.' ;D
The scene after the credits was pretty silly and I'm glad the camera didn't zoom in too much. I was the only one to stay for that part. If we were to cut this down to the running time of an episode from back in the day, and were given the task of introducing some to TXF, then this is not something I would show them. It just isn't up there. I wasn't expecting a masterpiece or a blockbuster, and to be honest I don't get some of the fierce online hatred of Chris Carter, but the story is essentially what lets it down. I've said it didn't feel like an X File and it just doesn't, is it because the FBI trappings/leash (not that a leash always stopped the duo's antics!) are absent, who knows but most weeks in the series we got a taste of something strange, odd, freaky, a good conspiracy back when it was comprehensible...whatever you want to call it. This felt a bit static, flat.
I thought Gillian was amazing though, might just be me but wow, what a screen presence.
I don't think I've been particularly harsh but I don't think I can give it more than 2/5. I feel the plot is the main reason I can't be generous and give it 3. As I said, I expected to hammer it, and I was going to come out saying the best thing about it was that there was hot girl a few seats away from me, ahem, but I don't believe my criticism is stinging like it is in some quarters. It was no The Happening but it just felt like they could have done more. I know some fellow philes who expressed some concerns about the short window of production time and release around the time the film got the greenlight. I can't help but wonder if they were right. I wonder if the writers' strike played a role here, weren't the TPTB sort of half boasting that they'd gotten the script sorted out prior to the strike kicking off? I mean, maybe they put themselves under unnecessary pressure to finish it and crammed. We know they said Fox said that it's pretty much now or never but I think they could have given themselves a little more time, and who knows held off until Xmas 2008 or summer 2009 for a release date. At least that way they might have been able to sharpen the storyline. I was never expecting a masterpiece but they could have ensured that all the necessary elements worked.
Is it a good X File? No Is it a good film? Not particularly. Is it an achievement that they made it considering it was stuck in development hell for yonks and yonks? Well, yes.
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Post by Wiggy on Aug 1, 2008 20:31:20 GMT
Does this have to be in the spoilers section? We can easily review and give our thoughts without spoiling - much like you've done in a really well written review there Mr Ahab Anyhow.....I have to say, I really enjoyed it! I've purposely avoided everything that I can as of late that would give me any hint about the film (apparently there wasn't much to avoid) so going into this totally blank helped me I think - I wasn't really expecting anything. I almost ruined The Dark Knight for myself by reading so much and hyping it up that it didn't totally meet my expectations - although I did really enjoy it. This however - I knew I was going to get an M&S story. Yes, I agree that it didn't quite feel like an X-File but I loved this new type of direction that they decided to go in. Although I think fans will enjoy it a lot more as some things would have confused anyone who hadn't seen the series - although saying that my sister really, really enjoyed it - she now wants to get into the series haha! It was pretty slow when I think about it - but I loved that. I am really into my character stories and I saw this film as exploring the characters of M&S - personally that is what I wanted to see and I got it and I was impressed - now I want to see more from them. I thought it was quite scary - not so much in a 'make you jump way' but the tension towards the end had me on my seat and I had no idea how Mulder was going to get out of some of the situations. The operations freaked me out! I'm very glad that the FBI agents (especially Xzibit) had small roles within the film as I saw the whole case itself as just a side story to Mulder and Scully - they could have been used more I guess and probably should have but I think giving either of Xzibit or Peet anymore lines would have been a mistake as they weren't really that great in the film. Connelly's characters role within the film had my sister and I talking for a while after the film - was he telling the truth or hiding something? I kinda believe he was with the abductors in some way and there was nothing paranormal whatsoever - that was always the great thing about the X-Files, it didn't always have to be paranormals - Mulder wasn't always right. And, there always more questions than answers. I can see why people won't like it so much but I thought DD and GA were totally back on form (it was great to see them again - man I want this show back!!) and the film had a nice psychological and eerie atmosphere to it - almost like Silence of the Lambs perhaps than an X-Files episode maybe. I loved the constant nods to fans throughout (especially the end) - I felt unbelievably nostalgic at times. I was worried going into this after hearing so many negative things and the doomsaying etc - but like Barry, it didn't take me long to shake it off - and I'm glad I did. I even laughed a few times during it - even the cheesy bits. I think CC and co did a good job - consider it this way. They decided to take a risk by picking it up in present day (which caused a bit of confusion and some plot holes I admit), get back into the swing of things after 5 or 6 years - which will always be tough, avoid alienating non-XF series fans and create a story where you didn't really need to know about the show but stay true to the feel of the show, the stories and the characters - such a hard job. I think if you consider all of that - and there really being no need to copy all of the great things that they did on the series (why should they? Why not try something new with the characters when you have the opportunity?) - I think CC and co did a pretty good job. I was pleasantly surprised. But sadly, as I said, I'm more a fan of phsycological and character stories that cause you to think and feel the emotions etc than a horror - action, which is sadly what a lot of people will be expecting and wanting to see. This could be a lot worse - but for me, I want a third and soon! I'll probably add more that I've forgotten soon - I need to gather my thoughts properly too haha. Meanwhile - anyone who has seen it - do you remember when M&S first walk down the cooridoor in the FBI building and Mulder stares at a girl passing by? - that is Vannessa Morley the girl who played the original Samantha? ha, cool! Morley too! - oh I miss Ciggy
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Post by Captain Ahab on Aug 2, 2008 14:26:52 GMT
Thanks, Young Man. You too! Actually your points have caused me to rethink some of my own so I've integrated everything back into my main post now.
I did like the snow, not just for aesthetics but I think there was a little bit of a chill to the film. Kim Newman mentioned it in his review.
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Post by Wiggy on Aug 2, 2008 22:15:45 GMT
I really liked the snow too - although does it really snow that much in Virginia?? (Although Vancouver in real life - back home ) I'm just listening to the films score - the last actual track is called Home Again - it's beautiful. Mark Snow on form again. I found some things on DD's blog - they're dated from just before the film was released but I just found them now. They made me think and I agree with what he says. "this movie is really about the eternal balancing act of love and work, of passion for a goal or quest and passion for a man or woman----this is mulder and scully i'm talking about. this partnership plays out in a emotional way while they are tring to solve this freaky (my kids' word) mystery that may unravel and unravel them. the case pushes mulder away from scully but also toward her, love and work impossibly intertwined until a choice must be made."He says that came to him whilst doing the interview rounds - and essentially that is what the film is about. It's not really an X-Files episode but one that follows the characters and their relationship a bit more - sadly another reason why it will likely only be accesible to fans other than first timers. I personally really enjoyed this over a MOTW episode - possibly a reason why I enjoyed it so much. But I really was on the edge of my seat towards the end - which is funny as most of the reviews from fans say that it was good up until the ending. DD also said something else which made me think rather hard too... "I found. since i have gotten older, it made sense that mulder had to feel older too---otherwise i'd just be trying to squeeze him into this cartoony frozen in time, box. so it was really a process of feeling it out---the essential character of the man doesn't change, just as all our essential characters don't change, but different things come to light in a face over time, different emphases."I found it very interesting to see the characters in a new light but trying to hang on to something from the past - if that makes sense? Mulder and Scully had both changed a lot over the past 5/6 years and had different outlooks on life. Mulder is attempting to have one more go at things but is realising that it isn't like old times and is having difficulty letting the case go and believing that Father Joe could be a fraud - he wants to keep believing in what is his cause. But it's simply not that easy anymore. I don't know but I think that's a nice metaphor for the movie - Mulder is the part of the fan that wants everything to be the same and thrilling whilst Scully realises that times have moved on and chasing the darkness that they once did just isn't possible, you can' t relive the past - something along those lines anyway. I feel like that as a fan and I've placed myself bang in the middle.....the story itself for a stand alone, scary and dark film was rather flat I agree. But as journey into two characters lives, souls and their struggles with situations as DD puts it was very interesting and enjoyable to see. I, like most of you have been following these characters from a young age and it's great to be able to grow up with them - I loved the experience of being part of their lives now because they've been just a part of mine. I'm not sure if that is a good reason to love the move but it was a big factor in me enjoying it because it was the centre piece in my opinion.
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Post by manicmarc on Aug 4, 2008 21:43:27 GMT
I have finally seen the film .. just a few thoughts. Like others here I went in worried it would be rubbish, after reading a lot of reviews saying it was just an average episode I feared for the worst. When I first saw Scully and Mulder together in Mulder’s office, with the “I Want to Believe” poster, the sunflower seeds, and yes the pencils stuck to the ceiling I have to admit I was slightly overcome with emotion. It seems like so long ago that I first started watching TXF, indeed it was and here are two characters I know so well back on the big screen in front of me, two characters who I spent so much time watching it seems. The story for me seemed somewhat interesting but I was more interested in what Mulder had been up to all these years. How comes Skinner was still at the FBI? Would the government really forgive Mulder, would Mulder really trust the government? The whole cinema laughed when the camera focused on Bush the X-Files theme was played, I also liked the reference to Clyde Bruckman and Boggs. It was moments like that that really made the film for me. For me though there just wasn’t enough paranormal. What were these operations? Nothing but illegal organ trading? It just felt like an alien corpse should popup somewhere but it never did. That was the X-Files, and despite what some have said (see my guardian link) many people enjoyed the X-Files because of it’s weird and exotic storylines. This seemed quite tame by X-Files standards.
Overall I enjoyed it, and will be first in line to get it on DVD. I really hope there is a another movie, and they do a really good paranormal conspiracy.
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Post by Captain Ahab on Oct 8, 2008 12:47:35 GMT
I also have a lot of time for character pieces/studies if they’re done well. I recently watched The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford which I think I’d call a character piece, thought it was very well done including the tension. I’m not 100% sure I’d say the same could be applied to IWTB but I suppose serving the characters was part of its remit albeit with a very weak story as the backdrop. Can you imagine if they had produced something like Pan’s Labryinth, it’s a damn shame they couldn’t. Also, IWTB cost 30 odd million to make but I’m not sure how much of that actually translated on screen, to hell with big explosions and the like but I am at a slight loss as to where all that money went. Clearly fuck all of it went on marketing. I know a lot of people vehemently hate CC and felt insecure about him directing but I thought he did a decent enough job with the whole package. That said, there were a few times when I thought the editing was a little choppy.
I know I’ve been quite harsh myself but when you hear DD’s thoughts they do make sense in the context of what we saw.
Thinking back now it seems some of the reviews were awful stinkers and I’d wonder what some of the critics were doing whilst in the screen, were they hoping for Die Hard 4, The Bourne Files?!
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Post by Wiggy on Oct 8, 2008 22:39:50 GMT
I also have a lot of time for character pieces/studies if they’re done well. I recently watched The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford which I think I’d call a character piece, thought it was very well done including the tension. I’m not 100% sure I’d say the same could be applied to IWTB but I suppose serving the characters was part of its remit albeit with a very weak story as the backdrop. Can you imagine if they had produced something like Pan’s Labryinth, it’s a damn shame they couldn’t. Also, IWTB cost 30 odd million to make but I’m not sure how much of that actually translated on screen, to hell with big explosions and the like but I am at a slight loss as to where all that money went. Clearly fuck all of it went on marketing. I know a lot of people vehemently hate CC and felt insecure about him directing but I thought he did a decent enough job with the whole package. That said, there were a few times when I thought the editing was a little choppy. I know I’ve been quite harsh myself but when you hear DD’s thoughts they do make sense in the context of what we saw. Thinking back now it seems some of the reviews were awful stinkers and I’d wonder what some of the critics were doing whilst in the screen, were they hoping for Die Hard 4, The Bourne Files?! Ha, you have a very good point there. Although, it may sound unbelievable but 30 million is small budget for a main stream film of XF's calibure - especially since The Dark Knight cost, what? 160 million wasn't it?....I may be wrong. I thought DD did a good job of directing - I really felt the tension and the pacing was good. But yes I have to say the editing put me off a little here and there - especially with Amanda Peet's chase scene. But yeah, the reviewers wanted a certain thing and CC and co didn't give it to them - they put a very different spin on the series - but people wanted the series of old. Saying that, I know it could have kept fresh and still be very good - the possibilities when you put it next to films such as Pans Labryth are amazing (why I'm excited to see if there's a third one). But still, I enjoyed it
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Post by Captain Ahab on Oct 14, 2008 9:21:19 GMT
I think you meant CC directing. ;D But yeah, I'm glad I saw it too.
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Post by Wiggy on Oct 16, 2008 23:23:22 GMT
I think you meant CC directing. ;D But yeah, I'm glad I saw it too. Oops yeah, CC...right
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