A must buy!

Forget any bad reviews!

This film did exactly as it should have done with allowing us to see the lifes and relationship of TVs best SC-FI couple 6 years down the road from after the series ended.

Mulder and Scully are back! The story of the film some say wasn't the type of things you would see in the series. Well think again because certain episodes did deal with psychics and neutral paranormal acts such as the episode 'hell money'.

This is a brilliant film which really should satisfy any X-Files fan as well as people who want to see more then a little gore and violence. The film also makes full sense without having to see the whole series!

5/5!!!

Convoluted, but appealing

Since there are more detailed reviews for this set in the site, I'll just give basics.

This is the complete X-Files set minus the more recent 2008 movie. You get every episode and the late 90s movie which is set halfway between season's 5 and 6.
The movie doesn't have many extras, the season boxset's however do. Ranging from deleted scenes to behind the scenes features. The sound and picture is excellent and even shows how things progressed from the first episode up to the final episode in terms of make up, camera and light use and acting.

The box sets are done in an odd way though and you have to be gentle to avoid any damage to the discs, it would have been nice if they had gone with the excellent slim line cases that are being used for box sets now. But other than that, this is a worthwhile box set to get, especially if you loved X-Files.
I have to admit that I'm not as fond of X-Files as I am of Star Trek, but I was satisified with this box set and was gripped by several episodes. Though I'm still more fond of Star Trek even after watching all of X-Files, this is still a good thing to be watching and saves having to switch on the TV to the mindless junk that passes for prime time TV these days.

Recommended? Yes and no. Yes because it's every episode and the 90s movie, no due to the box design that risks damaging the discs if you're not gentle.
If you love the X-Files, go for it. If you're looking for something to watch that isn't the same old rubbish reality tv shows, go for it. If you like a very convoluted story with a lot of plot twists, go for it. And if you like gruesome, weird and unusual story's, go for it.

Just remember to be gentle when opening the boxs. Oh, and I forgot to mention that you also get a small booklet that gives a brief description of each episode and the 90s movie.

TV at it's weirdest and best.

A believer and a sceptic

As my title suggests I'm in two minds about this film, if you consider the pacing, narrative, special effects and the overall purpose of the film, it isn't very good but I do appreciate its themes and the cinematography and the overall atmosphere that is created.

Carter never liked to do what was expected of him, he tended to follow his own intuitions and it worked for the series making them fresh, interesting and utterly compelling, allowing them to run for so long and have such a devoted fan base. I'm one of those fans, I love the series and appreciated where it was left in the last episode; the date was set, the invasion inevitable, the FBI was overrun with alien agents and our two heroes were on the run. The series was driven by more than just Scully's devoted faith in science and Mulder's desperate belief in the paranormal it was also about the escalation of unstoppable forces and unknowable entities, religion played a massive part in the complex mythology as well. What that last episode seemed to say quite poignantly was that you can seek the truth but you can't stop the inevitable though what you can do is put faith in the unknowable, in forces greater than yourself. With this in mind what's been done with the film is hard to justify. It carries along this sentiment, but it doesn't develop it. The film by turns stagnates and goes back on itself.

The film begins with Mulder in hiding and Scully working at a hospital, their living together, but when an agent goes missing rather strangely the FBI, that's populated as I've said by vicious alien agents decide they need Mulders help, the man that they so wanted destroyed.

This Mulder we're presented with seems to have reverted back three series, ignoring the closure he received in the aptly named `closure' he is looking for his sister again, Scully even accused him at one point that every thing he is doing is because of her, a line very similar to this was used in the first series, it has no place here, it's utterly irrelevant. Maybe Carter is trying to say something, or else he is hoping to give perspective viewers of the series a key motivation of Mulder's.

Also although Mulder and Scully's relationship is nicely developed in some senses; their actively together and they share some moving conversations about William (their son, which they were forced to give away) and in particular an end scene"I think it's the darkness that always finds us", in many ways this also goes back about three series, from the seventh series Mulder and Scully's beliefs had started to align this sees them sharing arguments similar to those in the first few series, with Scully refusing to acknowledge anything supernatural without scientific proof and Mulder being the unreasoning man we knew before he laid down the troubles he had accumulated over him sisters disappearance. But Duchovny and Anderson continue to have great chemistry.

The film takes the format of a supernatural thriller; it is successful in being tense. But it's in no way mysterious as the villains are clearly shown. The cinematography of the desolate snow filled spaces is compelling and the dank interiors are well shot. But the pacing is patchy at best. Scully's scenes concerning a difficult patient are disruptive to the narrative flow although they do lend support to the importance of faith.

This film doesn't feel as if it has been made for fans, but to entice a whole new generation to the series, this is probably why it doesn't develop the mythology. From a marketing point of view and looking at the script this doesn't make sense, the themes aren't easily unearthed especially if you haven't seen the series. In fact the whole narrative has the feel of an overly long weaker than average episode of the series, something that isn't going to garner much interest from cinema goers. Carter excelled at weaving action packed mythology episodes of the likes of `713' and `Patient X' with brilliantly entertaining stand alones like `Triangle' and `Fight Club' and this isn't a great way to end the saga, yes it does mix science, paranormal and religious aspects but the paranormal comes in the form of a tortured physic, played by an unexpectedly good Billy Connolly, this doesn't incite the magnitude I was hoping for, the subject has been covered many times in series with better scripts driving it. In this it's simply used to detect the movements of a crazy group of scientist's performing outrageous experiments with stem cell surgery. I just think if your not going to put the effort into creating a great script, that develops and enhances the series, don't bother. Though I was rather excited by the strange undulating inky patterns in the background of the credits, they seemed evocative of black oil and I thought maybe there was more to the film than meets the eye, that Carter had something else planned, but it's very likely that another film will be made and people have convinced me that it was just snow.

I'll be buying this DVD when it's out (if for no other reason than I missed this mysterious extra bit after the credits!) we'll see if any extras can shed light on Carters motivations and intentions. And I will watch it as part of a series that I love as it's a good if not entirely relevant film that fits well into the x-files saga.

It's been a while.. but they're back!

If you haven't seen this yet then I suggest you watch it, as it is very good. Don't listen to the critics who have said this is crap because it isn't. And it doesn't matter if you haven't seen all the seasons of 'The X-Files', as it stands well as a movie on it's own. Obviously there are some elements that reflect back to the series but that's more of an addded bonus to the X-Files fans.

One of the main things I liked about this movie was the way the writers have decided to go more into Mulder and Scully's relationship which they didn't really bother with too much in the last film. I also liked the fact that it stayed very true to the tone of the TV show and is just as intense as a lot of the episodes were.

So whether your an X-Files fan or not this film is definitely worth checking out because it's very intriguing and gets you thinking. And I'm sure it will look really good on blu-ray. I'm curious to see what kind of scenes they will add in to this director's cut of the movie so I will be getting this soon.

New - Old Fan

I watched the whole of the original X Files when they were first on TV and loved the series. I have just purchased (and watched) the X Files movie and have to admit that it has re-kindled my love for this series. The film is as good, if not better than I expected and I suspect I will now start buying the whole TV series. So, if like me, you haven't watched the X Files for a few years, I can recommend this film. I loved it.

Even better than the first season

A great follow up season.

The conspiracy grows, the great episodes just keep coming.

Not much else to say but - watch it!!

x-files

x-files season 4 has to be the best season of x-files i have ever seen bear in mind i have seen 5,6,7,8 or 9 yet but of the 4 seasons i have seen this is the best of all.

Favourite episode

I'm not particularly a fan of shows of this genre, but x files is a classic and so an exception to that! This is not my favourite season neccesarily- but contains my favourite episode (D.P.O. aka episode 3) which remains untouched as the best in my opinion even after all these years! So I would recommend this season just on the strength of that, and a few other absolute gems contained. Thing with the x files is that there isn't a definitive 'best season' as all tend to have some really strong episodes and then some not so much- all down to opinion I hasten to add, as all our well scripted and enthralling but depends on what interests you to an extent and what really makes you think. Some say start at season 1 and work your way through, and although there is a sense of continuity re: Mulder and Scully and their personal lives; diving in at any point is an absolute treat and the start of what will probably be wanting to see as many as you can! I enjoy trying to figure stuff out as it goes along, and for me this series was the best for that.

Great sci-fi

Really good series to kick off the X-Files.

Not having had a TV while at uni I missed most of the episodes but liked what I saw. Now I'm enjoying making my way through the DVDs (especially at the bargain prices they are at just now).

A very strong series to get the ball rolling. Good start to the conspiracy plus loads of good one-off episodes. Can't go wrong with this one.

Not A Great Year In A Great Show's Life

I have greatly enjoyed revisiting all nine years of the TV show which I think most influenced me during the 1990s (ah, those were the years).

Having said that, with age and with swift viewing of episodes originally broadcast months apart, one can't help noticing supporting actors reappearing in different roles (somewhat disconcerting for the proper submersion in the narrative) and Mulder's endless harping on about the truth, becoming a bit of a bore. I know, I know: heresy.

Don't get me wrong, I love it. But Season Seven is a really tired year in the show's life. Everything has become disappointingly arch. Duchovny has clearly tired of it and there is way too much dialogue along the lines of, 'Hey, haven't we been here before', or, 'I know exactly what you're gonna say next, Scully.' It's all too knowing, and how could it be otherwise after so many years? Still, the opening double episode is very powerful and the three-way-bubblebath-telephone conversation in a later epidode is amusing. But there are rather too many lightweight episodes.

I'm glad the show continued and I think the later introduction of Doggett and Reyes greatly refreshed The X Files and offered the scope for more emotional scenes, especially for Anderson. Be warned therefore that No7 is a weak vintage, but it's worth having to complete the set. Anyone unhappy with Mulder's departure should stop at Season Six, given the deficiencies apparent throughout this mostly unfocused seventh season.

One of the better x-files seasons.

Being one of the late comers to the show, having started watching it around the 5th season, I decided to watch all the seasons in order, as I would understand it a lot more. Sitting through them all, I would have to say that season 6 is probably one of the finest, and most entertaining seasons of the lot. David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson looks like they are really enjoying themselves in some of the most interesting episodes of the entire show.

The season kicks off with"The beginning" which is sort of a follow up to the movie. Unfortunately, the episode isn’t one of my favourite openings, but it was exciting, as it showed the return of Gibson Praise, and also guest-starred one of the aliens from the movie. The next couple of episodes are some of the seasons’ best."Drive" is one of my personal favourites, as it is about a man who is forced to drive Mulder around the highways at high speed, or he will die. The opening scene to that episode is one of my favourites."Triangle" is a very entertaining episode, in which Mulder crosses through the Bermuda triangle and gets caught up on a ship that was said to have disappeared during world war II."Dreamland I/Dreamland II" is a very humorous episode, in which Mulder switces body with another man, after a UFO is seen flying over them. And"How the ghosts stole christmas" is an intertesting story were Mulder and Scully get locked in a house which is believed to be haunted by a married couple at Christmas eve.

Other good episodes include"Two fathers/One son" which basically closes of about 5 years of mythology in the show. The conclusion to the episode is breathtaking."Monday" is another of my personal favourites, in which a woman has to relive the same day over and over again, until she can save Mulder and Scully from being killed by her boyfriend."Arcadia" shows Mulder and Scully going undercover as a maried couple to try to investigate the disappearences of people in a small neighbourhood. It starts of very fun, but ends in a sort of disturbing way."The Unnatural" is a great episode, in which a story is told about one of America’s greatest baseball players being an alien. It includes a guest appearence by Brian Thompson as the alien bounty hunter."Field trip" is a very unsettling and confusing episode.

A few episodes do let the season down:"The rain king" is a stupid episode which mostly revolves around a weather man trying to have the guts his long-time friend out."Alpha" seemed like a good episode, about a killer dog on ther loose, but it just fell flat."Terms of endearment" wasn’t a bad episode, it was just average really, about a man who just wants to have a normal baby and he will do anything to make it happen. It does have a good guest-starring Bruce Campbell (The Evil dead films).

The season-finale didn’t really seem exciting to me, as it didn’t really have a good cliffhnager (the best ones would be Season 2’s"Anasazi" and Season 4’s"Gethsamane").

Still, this is probably one of the more experimental seasons of the show. Mixed with episodes of comedy, and some just straight-ahead horror stories.

a few steps ahead of the game and an improvement over season 7...it should have ended here

while season 8 isn't a perfect season of the show...ovrall its just plain decent enough and had a great way to finish on but it shamefully wasn't and we had a ninth season to get through.
but it is a good season but no where near the standard of season 4&5.

Eppy guide-
within/without*-5/5
patience-2/5
roadrunners-1/5
invocation-1/5
redrum-2/5
Via Negativa-2/5
Surekill-2/5
Savage-2/5
Badlaa-2/5
The Gift-3/5
Medusa-2/5
Per Manum-4/5
This is Not Happening(1)-4/5
Deadalive(2)-4/5
Three Words-4/5
Empedocles-1/5
Vienen-2/5
Alone-2/5
Essence(1)-5/5
Existence*(2)-5/5

this shuld have been the final season of this show but shamefully it wasnt.

but,never mind at least we have this season to watch and love.

RECOMMENDED TO THE FANS

Not quite as good asseason 4

A very strong series but not quite as good as 4.

The conspiracy moves along well and the individual episodes are good with scares, monsters, aliens - the usual. Not that the usual is a bad thing in this case.

Not A Fitting Finale to Such a Great Show **Spoilers Included**

The problem with Season 9 of The X-Files is that it tries so hard to answer the questions raised in previous seasons, that paradoxically it seems to answer nothing at all! The last two episodes"The Truth pt 1&2" promise so much from a series that had such a great production team and cast, but they just do not deliver. As an avid fan you may have spent a decent chunk of your life watching every episode in order, just waiting to see the finale... So when you find out that the only answer revealed is a date for the final alien invasion (that nothing can be done to change!), you can't help but feel that you have ben conned into a serious anti-climax. You are not alone here and you can be forgiven for this because most of the final double-episode is spent in a Military court room anyway, not exactly explosive!

Another negative element of series 9 is that three of the best characters in the show (The Lone Gunmen) are killed off in an episode that really does not need them to die! Chris Carter's spin off series"The Lone Gunmen" only survived one series, but it was an original and highly entertaining series that now cannot be taken any further... Ok you might argue that the two shows could be promoted mutually exclusively, but for true fans the continuity would NEVER hold.

Having said all this, I have given this season 3 stars for a few reasons. Firstly, this series does have some first-rate"Stand-Alone" episodes... the problem is that because it advances too quickly towards a conclusion there are not enough of these episodes. Similarly, although I feel that Robert Patrick is a fine actor and takes on the role of Agent Doggett very effectively, I also feel that his best performances and episode storylines were in Season 8. Annabeth Gish does her CV no harm in season 9 either, but again her character really peaked with Patrick's in season 8.

So what of Mulder and Scully? Well, Mulder is in hiding for the whole of season 9 until the last 2 episodes and Scully's character is completely destroyed. What made Scully great wasn't her scepticism throughout the series but her strength; this strength (in my opinion) was burned out half-way through season 8. Overall I think it is a shame because season 9 pretty much falls apart, which is something that has never happened in previous seasons. Having said that, producing an exciting and definitive conclusion to a show as dominant and complex as the X-Files was always going to be a tall order and this season should still be watched once. Disappointing and anti-climactic but not quite a total disaster... you'll probably still enjoy it.

Not the best but OK

***

This has been slated by some reviewers and each is entitled to their opinion. Mine is that this is a worthwhile addition to the X Files, no better than the best and no worse than the worst.

The series itself can't have every episode mind blowing even though the series is a true classic.

If you are an X files fan, then you need this if only because you are an X files fan.

***

lights, camera and lots and lots of action! :)

After the moaning and groaning of some fans before season 8, saying things like"ahhh its all over, mulders gone and the show will go bad", how wrong they were. Season 8 was (in my opinion) one of the finest seasons in the shows history, creating some wonderful new characters and brilliant episodes like (alone, per manum) and this 2 part finale entitled"existance". This is a brilliant finale with more twists and turns and some really exciting moments. My favourite scenes were between doggett and mulder as these characters are so different from one another but seem to work off eachother perfectly. The ever beautiful and brilliant Gillian Anderson turns in another fine performance, as does David Duchovny. Annabeth Gish really makes here mark in these two episodes, but i have to take my hat off to Robert Patrick who entered the lions den at the start of the season and has come up trumps, never missing a chance to shine :) ***** stars

A Fantastic boxset

This is just a fantastic box-set set in a briefcase, just the way Mulder would have wanted. Grab one of these while you can !!!!

Not the best but OK

***

This has been slated by some reviewers and each is entitled to their opinion. Mine is that this is a worthwhile addition to the X Files, no better than the best and no worse than the worst.

The series itself can't have every episode mind blowing even though the series is a true classic.

If you are an X files fan, then you need this if only because you are an X files fan.

***

Brilliant - The X files at its very best

In my opinion this is one of the best X files seasons and some of the episodes are absolute classics. Ranging from the very funny"Clyde Bruckmans Final Repose" to the great mytharic conspiracy episodes of"Piper Maru/Appocryha." Both Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny give fine performances with the Mulder/Scully chemistry on top form. Each tape also contains a special interview with creator Chris Carter giving a background to some episodes. A must for any X Phile!

Thrilling... and very funny!

I truly loved this season and I believe some episodes are just... So funny! My favorite is"How the Ghost Stole Christmas"; the scenario, the music and the plot are so originals and at the same time so classics! But this is just one episode, and I strongly recommend everyone to see the others!