This movie is overall pretty good, but somewhat disappointing. Surely most of us where expecting a continuation of the alien themes set forth in the series and the first X Files film. Unfortunately we don't get that. Instead we get a fast forward to the lives of Mulder and Scully after they have left the bureau. I did think the gradual reveal of what became of Mulder & Scully's lives was excellent.
The new characters introduced played by Amanda Peet and Xzibit were flat, boring, and didn't serve to move the plot very well, nor did they provide a clear means to plot tension. Unfortunately, the plot didn't have as much energy as the series did, or XF1: Fight the Future. It was a fairly slow moving plot, far more dramatic and cerebral than action oriented, unlike its predecessor which found ways to balance all three elements well. As an individual film, I don't think this movie can stand on it's own. I believe that this movie depends on the audiences familiarity with the series especially, knowledge of the first film is probably not necessary in this case.
Overall, this film is not nearly as weird or out there as the series ever was, and had far less energy. However, it was satisfying to see how Mulder and Scully are getting along "now". Perhaps the next installment will get back into the dark abyss of weirdness which fans loved. However, if this is the last we ever hear from Mulder and Scully (as I suspect it is), this was a fairly satisfying way to tie up and close the X Files.
The new characters introduced played by Amanda Peet and Xzibit were flat, boring, and didn't serve to move the plot very well, nor did they provide a clear means to plot tension. Unfortunately, the plot didn't have as much energy as the series did, or XF1: Fight the Future. It was a fairly slow moving plot, far more dramatic and cerebral than action oriented, unlike its predecessor which found ways to balance all three elements well. As an individual film, I don't think this movie can stand on it's own. I believe that this movie depends on the audiences familiarity with the series especially, knowledge of the first film is probably not necessary in this case.
Overall, this film is not nearly as weird or out there as the series ever was, and had far less energy. However, it was satisfying to see how Mulder and Scully are getting along "now". Perhaps the next installment will get back into the dark abyss of weirdness which fans loved. However, if this is the last we ever hear from Mulder and Scully (as I suspect it is), this was a fairly satisfying way to tie up and close the X Files.