The X-Files Back After Six Years

Why "The X-Files"(on screen from August 14) now?

The screen is dominated by superheroes popped out of comic books. The story on “the truth on the other side” sounds rather abrupt and outdated.

But "The X-Files" is not an ignorable brand. The television series that was aired in the United States from 1993 under the same title lured a pool of passionate supporters and became a global hit.

In Korea, the series aroused a “cult syndrome,” recording ratings of 10-20 percent though it was scheduled for late Monday nights. The TV series ended six years ago, but the word "X-Files" is still used to symbolize conspiracy or corruption.

The final chapter of the ninth season of the TV series was closed rather ambiguously, showing a situation where Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) has solved the mystery of the extraterrestrial living and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) is sought after by the government.

Manias of "The X-Files" expected that the new movie would, without doubt, expand from the ambiguous ending. But the movie, the subtitle of which is “I Want to Believe,” does not touch on extraterrestrial livings.

The subtitle is from the UFO poster, which was stuck on the wall of Mulder’s room in the TV series. The movie attracts attention making use of this poster, which is hardly relevant to the story of the plot.

At the press conference held in Santa Monica, California, on July 20, David Duchovny said, “It is more important than anything else to live with a firm faith. This movie talks about the power of such belief.”

On Dec. 22, 2012, Mulder who has left the FBI is deeply into his personal research, concerned about the invasion from the space. Scully also devotes herself to her new life as doctor. One day the FBI asks them to lend a hand in looking for a disappeared agent. The slight reminder on the trial unfolded at the end of the TV series acts as the bridge to the movie.

What goes on afterwards is a new story borrowing only the frame from the TV series. The movie is far from Mulder’s lifelong mission, extraterrestrial livings, monsters and supernatural phenomena.

The movie has set the romantic relationship between the two main characters on the forefront of the overall story that one can even call it a romantic movie disguising as a thriller. For fans who are not particularly curious about extraterrestrial livings, the love story between Mulder and Scully provides a satisfactory entertainment. In the TV series, the deep understanding and friendship between the two characters did develop into a love, but there was no kissing scene or bed scene.

“There was a number of light kisses before but this is the first real kiss. I know that many fans were longing for that kiss,” said Duchovny. Anderson said, “The romantic relationship between Mulder and Scully is a big change.” The movie features a bed scene, though not bold.

While Duchovny, who recently acted as a playboy author in another TV series “Californication,” has become more attractive after adding a mature spice to his intellectual image, Anderson’s beauty in the old days has so faced away that her thick make-up in the bed scene invokes pity.

Director Chris Carter, who created the X-Files series, said, “`The X-Files` TV series showed traits of all genres from comedy to thriller and horror. This movie was planned to exclude the story of extraterrestrial livings from the starting point.” That is, he confessed that the movie is a supplement to the movie where he called together the main actor and actress of the TV series and played variation.

But it doesn’t seem that the manias will easily sympathize with Carter’s explanation that he “created a movie that can satisfy all audience.” What if the movie oscillates back and forth, not knowing whom to satisfy and ends up disappointing all?

sohn@donga.com