There have been many instances where someone tried to go back and recreate the magic. Very rarely has it ever happened. I am speaking of David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson reprising their roles as FBI agents Moulder and Scully. And it concerns this recent miniseries of the X Files. I am a fan of the X Files. But I had some expectation mixed with a little skepticism before watching this. The original X Files are fresh on my mind having recently been involved watching them on Netflix.
My first impressions? The cinematography here is lacking in comparison with the original series. It is almost reduced to home movie type cheapness. Something significant has been lost. That “X File” styling, or feel, is off, misses the mark, or seems broken.
Scully and Moulder come across as stiff flat tired cardboard cutouts of the original characters. Even the chemistry between them is missing, leaving you unsatisfied. The energy and drive of the original characters is gone and has left the building. Maybe my expectations are too high considering that they are much older now, I am thinking that they are in their fifties? I’m old too but I haven’t lost my personally. Where are the sunflower seeds?
It is very difficult to recreate something that was original. There are too many variables. Back during the shows run all of the elements were in place which culminated into the weekly montage of the X Files. The mixture was right and it was on fire. Everyone was into their role as they developed the character in which they were portraying while the series progressed. And maybe that was one of the keys. We enjoyed the dark grotesque science fiction sprinkled with humor with the teasing interaction between the agents.
Am I too quick to jump into these impressions since there are three episodes left to see as I type this? Even though this X File miniseries is a weak watered down of the original, it still can be enjoyable to watch. If you are a fan of the old X Files, you will have trouble with a little strange thought in the back of your mind, “What is wrong, what is missing?” I, personally, feel like I just purchased a Twinkie that is stale and the cream filling is missing.
No other object has been misidentified as a flying saucer more often than the planet Venus.
Pieces of Me 