Blythe Danner Movie:

		List Price: $16.99		Label: 20th Century Fox Salesrank: 12021 Released: December 2, 2008
		Our Price: $9.46
		Used Price: $8.99
		MPAA Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested) Media: Blu-ray

Editorial Review:

Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Rating: UN
Release Date: 2-DEC-2008
Media Type: Blu-Ray

Description of The X-Files - Fight the Future [Blu-ray]:
The definitive American television series of the '90s comes to the big screen with an anticlimactic whimper. And how could it be otherwise? Why should material so perfectly realized in one medium necessarily translate well into another? The series is crisply and thoughtfully executed in just about every detail, but the heart of its appeal lies in the elegant handling of complicated and evolving ongoing story lines, which is not something movies are especially good at. The big-screen drive for closure cramps the creative style, though it may also help nonfans get a grip on the proceedings. We do get some invigorating thrills and chills, however, and a more satisfying sense of the scale of an all-enveloping human-alien conspiracy than ever before, but there's no more plot development here than in an average two-part season-ending. FBI black sheep Mulder and Scully have been temporarily transferred from the X-Files project to an anti-terrorist unit to investigate an Oklahoma City-style bombing. They uncover a new wrinkle in the Syndicate/Cancer Man conspiracy--basically an attempt to help one bunch of (benign?) aliens fight off another bunch who want to colonize Earth. A spectacular, ice-bound finale thrillingly staged by series-veteran director Rob Bowman offers Mulder (but not a conveniently unconscious Scully) his first clear look at a You Know What, which in some quarters qualifies as an epochal event. Martin Landau offers the agents some crucial clues, and several familiar TV faces (including the Lone Gunmen and Mitch Pileggi's indispensable Assistant Director Skinner) turn up briefly to wink knowingly at faithful fans. --David Chute

The X-Files - Fight the Future [Blu-ray] Reviews:
the greatest television series
2009-12-07 - This gargantuan DVD box set features every episode (plus the 1998 film) from all nine seasons (1993-2002) of THE X FILES; its release provides an opportunity to assess what is in all probability the single greatest television show ever aired.

Although a casual awareness of the X FILES may bring to mind government conspiracy, aliens, "spooky" supernatural phenomenon, the core issues in the show are that of truth, faith, love, good and evil; in other words, those issues that have captivated mankind's imagination for as long as it has had the capacity to record its artistic, philosophical and revelatory reactions. Over the course of the series, Chris Carter and the "1013" productions team were put to the test in coming up with interesting and (somewhat) cohesive storylines that would weave the aforementioned themes in and around the practical (business related) realities they faced behind the scenes. Though not without missteps, the dramatic intensity of the myth arc was maintained in a slow but inexorable journey that (bit by bit) revealed much of Carter's culturally subversive "underground project" (culminating in the beautifully moving final scene of the series finale).

In so many areas, whether it be writing, acting or the sheer beauty of the production, THE X FILES was truly a miracle occurring in a medium which doesn't often rise above mediocrity. The credit for this phenomenon was shared amongst many dedicated individuals, most working behind the scenes. The "1013" production team delighted in playful, embedded concepts that recurred time and again in the background of the show. Without going into ridiculous detail, there was a certain archetypal X FILES iconography which developed more and more with each successive season: fondness for neon lights or flashing sirens of ambulances and police cars; a humorously morbid fascination with the bathroom as a crime scene (etc). One of the true beauties of the X FILES was that it was so layered that one could appreciate it on any one of a number of levels; this is why it's possible to watch these episodes over and over again and not be bored.

Composer Mark Snow's custom tailored music was simply gold: consistently excellent, moving work (with the occasional sly quote from classical composers woven in).

The directors (especially Rob Bowman and the stalwart Kim Manners) framed their shots in very interesting ways. The lighting, sets and camera work were redolent of high quality film making (television standards were left in the dust).

The writers (truly the core of the show) created complex scripts that challenged the considerable talents of Anderson and Duchovny (not to mention the numerous excellent guest actors chosen by superb casting agents). And if irony constitutes one of the primary elements in the work of great authors, the core writing staff (Frank Spotnitz, Vince Gilligan, Darin and Glen Morgan) could at least be described as having strived for greatness. The self-reflexive humor constantly on display in FBI agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully fleshed out the nuances appropriate to the background of these unique personalities.

Obviously, a very strong part of THE X FILES' appeal is the complex relationship between the main characters. However, one needn't be married to the notion that the show revolved completely around (what eventually evolved into) a romantic relationship; it's sufficient to acknowledge the respect, camaraderie and genuine love (both in its platonic & romantic phases) the two share. Mulder and Scully, two deeply serious (however witty) people helped, through trust and self-sacrifice, "ground" each other in their respective quests.

Finally, regardless of what some embittered fans may opine, Chris Carter, as the creator of the show, deserves credit for having continually guided his creation (a labor of love) over nine grueling years. For many seasons he maintained the integrity of an artistic vision that the Fox executives were smart enough to take a gamble on (given the "franchise" nature of the X FILES, their gamble certainly paid off). And, if parts of the final seasons were rough, Carter and company's overall achievement can with certainty be termed magnificent.

To conclude: in terms of a "bare bones" grading approach, the individual seasons ( + 1998 film ) contained in this DVD box set can be summed up as follows:

SEASON 1 ( 1993-94 ): A-
SEASON 2 ( 1994-95 ): A
SEASON 3 ( 1995-96 ): A+
SEASON 4 ( 1996-97 ): A
SEASON 5 ( 1997-98 ): A
X FILES MOVIE (1998): A-
SEASON 6 ( 1998-99 ): B
SEASON 7 ( 1999-00 ): C
SEASON 8 ( 2000-01 ): B-
SEASON 9 ( 2001-02 ): B-

Addendum: the 2nd movie from 2008 is a disastrous abomination, not at all representative of the series ( really an imposter, an X FILE in name only ) and thankfully not included in the box set being reviewed.



GREAT ITEM
2009-09-29 - GREAT ITEM AND AND IN A VERY GOOD CONDITION,ON TOP OF TATH IT WAS DELIVER IN A VERY SHORT TIME

Hope you have lots of room
2009-09-25 - This awesome boxed is a must for those who don't have the series on DVD already, I picked up the first 2 seasons in the slim packs about a month ago and got hooked. I was 8 when the series started so I missed it on FOX, too bust watching Buffy when I got older, lol. At around 9 lbs. this is a definate force to be reconed with, 62 disks, and no matter how you organize your DVD collection, this will stand out for sure. The box is beautiful, though mine was a bit scuffed, which isn't a hige deal seeing that this set has been out for several years. The goodies are OK, a vauge episode guide gives less info than the slim box sets, the comic book is decent, but it's age shows, the "art cards" are cool looking, there's 10 of them all from season 1, the theatrical poster fof "Fight the Future" is a good size, mine was bent at one corner, but again this set has probly been on the shelf at Amazon since release. Decently priced for what you get, 201 Episodes plus the season 5 & 6 arc movie, as well as the Mythologies documentaries. it works out to just [...] bucks a season, which if you look at the prices of the featureless slim sets, isn't at all terrible. I will need to pick up "I Want to Believe" after I'm done with the series, which, to be honest, could be quite a while.

Awesome.
2009-09-24 - This is a great show. New comers and vets alike should get this updated pack.

Totally Satisfied
2009-09-02 - I bought this for my husband for Father's Day, he loves it! He's wanted the set for so long and I was thrilled to be able to purchase it for him. It came packaged just as it appeared in the photos and I couldn't have asked for better service. Thank you.