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Forgotten Film Friday: The X-Files: Fight the Future

A review by Brooks Rich

In the 1990's one of the biggest shows on television was Fox's mega hit The X Files. Nowadays Game of Thrones or The Sopranos might be considered the most groundbreaking television shows in history but in my opinion The X Files deserves credit for creating modern television as we know it. There would be no The Sopranos, Game of Thrones, or Breaking Bad without The X Files and their introduction to continuous storylines in television, which was usually only seen in daytime or primetime soap operas. It was this new way to tell a story that made the X Files a critical and cultural success, so much so that in 1998, between seasons five and six, the feature film opened in theaters. It was a hit as well, making 189.2 million dollars against a budget of about 66 million dollars. 

The film of course follows Mulder and Scully as they adjust to life in the FBI after the X Files were closed in the previous season. A bombing in Texas puts them back on the trail of the government conspiracy to cause the colonization of Earth by aliens, this time revolving around an alien infection that causes alien monsters to grow inside someone. It's a fun ride and a solid as hell science fiction adventure film. 

The film is supposed to be accessible for fans of the show and non-fans as well. I think non-fans will enjoy it fine. It's a big Hollywood blockbuster in the '90s. Of course it's fun. But in my opinion it definitely is better off being a fan of the show before watching Fight the Future. If you've never seen The X Files and are planning to in this next decade, I recommend watching the first five seasons and then having this film serve as the series finale. I'm an X Files purist and I don't think the show was ever as strong as it used to be after the film. 

Fight the Future is a great solid '90s action film. Director Rob Bowman was one of the series best directors and he was the perfect choice to lead the series onto the big screen. The film keeps the spirit of the show while also raising the stakes. This doesn't feel like an episode of the show released in theaters. It has the feel of a big budget movie. David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson also answer the bell and take Mulder and Scully from tv stars to movie stars. Duchovny especially is a great leading man and Mulder feels more like a hero in this than every before.

I love this show and so of course I love this film. This show was a huge part of my childhood and while people might call me crazy, I think the greatest opening credits in television history are the original credits of The X Files. Track down Fight the Future if you've never seen it and remember. The truth is out there. 


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