The X-Files paints using an impressively broad canvas: huge all-encompassing global conspiracies, shadowy government agencies and purposeful alien invasions. Pitted against these monolithic foes are a few lone individuals striving to prevent the extinction of humankind, battling official indifference and disbelief (and hey, who can blame them: would you believe this stuff?).
 

In this, the first X-Files movie, we delve further into the series' underlying and long-running plot-line involving a planned alien invasion and the government cover-up of the existence of these aliens. Following a tip-off, Mulder and Scully begin investigating the deaths of several Texas firemen and a young boy whose bodies were found in a the rubble of an office block destroyed by a massive bomb. Fox and Scully soon discover that the bodies were planted to cover up the actual circumstances surrounding their deaths: exposure to an alien virus. As Scully and Mulder delve deeper into the case, they begin to uncover details of a shadowy government agency and a possible alien invasion. Said agency is somewhat concerned by the agents' digging, and attempts to prevent them from uncovering the truth.

Personally, I was confused about what I had actually seen at the film's conclusion, and I'm still not completely sure what the plot was about. There's no doubting that the film is a slick package, with a script that balances plot advancement for those familiar with the story and exposition for those new to the franchise, but just what the film's message was (or even if it had one, for that matter) I couldn't say. I found the film quite enjoyable, but I couldn't help but think the film was a modern version of smoke and mirrors, with very little actual substance.