I watched it last night on IFC and think that IWTB makes an fine MOW "special" film (longer running time over the typical episode.) Because it had more time, the pacing was excellent, the discovery (clues), the drama between M & S (picking up on what was going on with their lives) and the action that ensues is allowed breathing time, creating nuance and built up to its conclusion.
The choice to present this case as a feature film was its biggest flaw for the obvious reasons. Expectations were extremely high: most people were seeking closure and answers to the conspiracy and mytharc. Everyone whose watched, or was a fan of X Files expected it to have more at stake. That just goes with the territory of the X Files taken as a whole. The conspiracy/mytharc, whether anyone likes it or not has always been the BIGGER STORY than merely catching serial killers, body snatchers and.or kidnappers. Why? Because in the context of the X Files, the fate of humanity and its extinction is much bigger and greater than all the serial killers and monsters put together. That's what they're working with.
I had heard so many bad reviews of the film that I had never actually seen it from start to finish but had only caught it from the last third of the film.
I thought the setting was fine, most of the dialogue good (except, as they tend to do--give Mulder too much information to speak in one or two breaths.
It's a fine film if viewed as a "special" addition to the series.
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