Review of X Files, The: Deadalive

Introduction

The X-Files Deadalive is a feature length presentation of a two episode sequence from series 8 in which Mulder is both Dead.... and alive....

(good name then)

In the episodes prior to the start of this feature, Mulder has been abducted and all is not well,Agent Doggett (Robert Patrick) has been called in to assist Scully in looking for Mulder and the two aren`t getting along very well (just like Mulder and Scully when she first met him)

To actually reveal what happens would be something of a serious spoiler and would probably get me lynched, so suffice to say there`s a storyline ;)

Video

First the good bits. Video quality is, in general very good, there is very little graininess, colours are nicely saturated and teh usual X-files "running around in dark woods" sequences are perfectly clear (well as clear as we are supposed to see them)

Even the DVD menu is clear, if a bit bland.

However the movie is shown as 4:3 although it appears shot for widescreen, resuling in some contrived angles and cropping in some scenes which is a shame....

Audio

the simple, basic digital stereo track is effective. Mark Snow`s music is fitting as always, adding to the tension as things progress whilst never interfering with the crisp dialogue. Not a lot wrong in this department.

Features

We get a background on the Doggett character and (woohoo) scene access.

Gosh.

I`d have hoped for more, there is so much background in the X files that they could easily fill discs with curious and interesting trivia or info from filming etc. Oh well.

Conclusion

Thoroughly entertaining as all the best X files episodes are. Patrick is good as an Agent and combines well with Scully on screen, very much in the same vein as Mulder and Scully in the first series and I expect he will make a good replacement for Mulder in series nine (rumours are that Duchoveny will have a few cameos in the next series)

The screen ratio aside, this is to be recommended for anyone who can`t wait for the series 8 box set to appear.....