THE X-FILES: I WANT TO BELIEVE (15)

12:42pm Thursday 31st July 2008

Thriller/Action/Romance. David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Billy Connolly, Amanda Peet, Alvin 'Xzibit' Joiner, Callum Keith Rennie, Adam Godley. Director: Chris Carter.

If absence makes the heart grow fonder then we should be ready to fall in love again with FBI special agents Fox Mulder (Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Anderson).

It's been six years since the intrepid double-act concluded their groundbreaking investigations into the paranormal in the award-winning TV series, The X-Files, which ended tantalisingly with the characters cuddling up together in a Roswell hotel room.

This second feature film thankfully steps away from the extra-terrestrial plot arc that dominated the series, creating a stand-alone storyline set in West Virginia and the surrounding wintry wasteland.

Newcomers to this universe of government conspiracies will struggle to make sense of some plot strands, like a reference to Scully's son William or the reappearance of a familiar face (described as "some big man from Washington") for the climactic showdown.

Fans will also appreciate the in-joke of the names in Mulder's mobile phone address book, visible as he foolishly tries to call Scully while driving one-handed along an icy road.

The story focuses on Father Joseph Crissman (Connolly), a convicted paedophile and supposed psychic, who leads authorities to a severed limb buried in the snow.

Agent Mosley Drummy (Joiner) approaches Scully to re-establish contact with Mulder so that he can consult on the case. Scully reluctantly agrees and she soon finds herself partnering Mulder as they provide invaluable insights to Assistant Special Agent in Charge Dakota Whitney (Peet), an ardent fan of their work.

While Mulder is fascinated by Father Joe's visions from God, Scully remains sceptical.

The X-Files: I Want To Believe begins promisingly with the abduction of a woman from her home but struggles to sustain tension as Mulder and Scully bicker over the validity of Father Joe's bold claims, even with a night-time chase sequence to quicken the pulse.

On screen chemistry between the two leads still smoulders and the film develops their relationship in intriguing new directions.

Duchovny and Anderson slip back into their roles with ease - but Connolly is a little miscast in his provocative supporting role, while Peet and Joiner remain firmly in the background.

There are flashes of brilliance in the slow-burning plot, but there is nothing to justify the investigation unfolding on the big screen. X doesn't quite hit the spot.