I too was a huge fan of this show - an 'X-Phile' as I think we are all called. I loved all the sci-fi, horror, mystery, suspense and even humour and self-deprecation in the 9 seasons of the series. The first film was brilliant but really was an extended episode between seasons 5 and 6. It worked well though in both cinematic terms and dovetailing into the show's ongoing mythology. But it was all 'current' at the time with the show still having a good future ahead.
However, since the series ended we have waited and waited for a sequel to this whole phenomenon. When X-Files 2 finally arrived and I entered the cinema I was ecstatic - but less so when I walked out again. It was good but something wasn't right at all.
I hated to admit it but it was a bit disappointing. I wanted to exalt it, and direct everybody the following day to get along and see it - but I couldn't.
However, several months later waching it on DVD I found I enjoyed it far more. Perhaps I was noticing things I hadn't seen in the first instance. A few deleted scenes helped a bit - although not much - but actually they weren't really necessary ... Mulder and Scully were back and in many ways that was all that mattered. The romance having blossomed in some ways took a bit of the attraction out of the series - but we all wanted it (well I did - I'm romantic softie) and in the sequel they try to elaborate on this several years along in time. For me the film is a bit more like one of the episodes, but I really enjoy Gillian Anderson's and David Duchovny's performances here. The focus is always about them for me. I'd recommend anybody to give it a spin - it improves with repeated viewings as indeed did many of the TV episodes. It is a dark and rather unsavoury subject matter they deal with - in fact considering Connolly's character I suppose there are two disturbing themes, but as ever there is hope, as Scully reestablishes her medical credentials. As to what Mulder does every day we can only imagine - seeing as how Morris Fletcher cleared out his magazine collection a while back - but it would seem his sister's disappearance wasn't fully resolved afterall - although this film makes no efforts to further that. Perhaps that might feature in any third movie, although I was content with the 'Closure' episode in season 7.
What it does do is show the chemistry still exists between the leads and indeed with Pileggi as well.
The 'ending' to me suggested that THAT WAS IT. I thought at the time it was meant to say - at last a 'happy-ever-after' away from all the darkness finale. Having watched all the DVD extras it is heartening to see that the X Files producers still see merit in the concept and would be prepared to return to it.
I hope they do. But next time there needs to be a return to the 'mythology' type story. Something big. Something really worth bringing M&S back for in a real FBI/X-files case that makes audiences really wow. With the ongoing series over - the trick is now to capture a movie audience and that really requires a far more involved and startling plot ... or perhaps they could bring back The Lone Gunmen, and 'X' and Deep Throat and ... the next sequel is out there ...