Review: The X-Files: Fight the Future Blu-Ray
Fight the Future Blu-Ray Special Features Review and Purchasing Tip
With the December 2, 2008 home video release of The X-Files: I Want to Believe, which was in theatres this past summer, a resurgence of interest in the classic sci-fi television series turned movie franchise occurred. The X-Files, a breakthrough serial drama that rocked the 90s and supplied endless fodder for all government conspiracy theorists around the globe during its nine year run, also included The X-Files: Fight the Future, a movie that was released during the summer of 1998 which centered on the show’s exceptionally intricate and dense mythology arc and that acted as a bridge between the fifth and six seasons. Although ten years have passed since Fight the Future’s theatrical debut, a new Blu-Ray edition teeming with extras coincided with the release of I Want to Believe, offering an insightful glance into the minds of the creators of this juggernaut of a show.
Fight the Future Special Features
Twentieth Century Fox, along with the help of the show’s creator, Chris Carter, did a exceptional job of compiling a treasure trove of goodies that would set any devoted fan's (commonly referred to as an X-Phile) heart racing. Firstly, both the theatrical and extended versions of the film are available to view; the extended cut only includes several minutes of added footage, nothing of monumental significance, but is interesting nonetheless. There are two “making of” featurettes, the original from 1998 (about 27 minutes) and a shorter, updated version from 2008 that recycles some footage from the initial featurette, but includes new spots with Chris Carter (about 15 minutes). A visual effects mini-documentary (about 9 minutes) and a scoring spot (about 5 minutes) conduct interviews with Mat Beck and Mark Snow, respectively, to describe their processes.
The disc also includes two complete audio commentaries: the original 1998 commentary only involves Chris Carter, the writer and producer of the movie and Rob Bowman, the director; however, the 2008 update includes Chris Carter, Rob Bowman and two producers, Frank Spotnitz and Daniel Sackheim. In addition to all of this, there are still galleries that cover concept art, storyboards and unit photography, a gag reel, three theatrical trailers, a bonus theatrical trailer for The X-Files: I Want to Believe and nicely rounding out the collection is a sparkling gem for “shippers,” an alternate bee sting scene that, had it been used in the theatrical version of the film, would have drastically altered the lives of Mulder and Scully forever. It is also advantageous to mention that there are several “in movie features” that can be activated as long as the viewer’s Blu-Ray player is equipped with Bonus View.
Reliving The X-Files History on Blu-Ray
Aside from the special features, the picture quality, as is expected from any Blu-Ray disc, is breathtaking. If possible, it enhances the already magnetic on-screen chemistry between David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson as Special Agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully: two souls searching together for the ever elusive truth, who in the end, always manage to find each other. The X-Files: Fight the Future is available for purchase at $22.99 from Amazon.com, one of the most trustworthy and efficient sites to order from; however, the dual-pack that contains both feature films for $39.99 is definitely the better buy. Highlighted with moments of well placed humor, explosive action sequences and heartfelt scenes dripping with angst, this movie contains a wonderful combination that will have first time viewers clamoring for more and seasoned veterans stopping to bask in the glow of a cultural phenomenon at its greatest.
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