Continuity mistake: When Mulder and Scully start frantically running from the bees inside the dome Scully is clearly seen untying her belt twice. (01:01:55)
The X-Files Movie (1998)
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Directed by: Rob Bowman
Starring: Martin Landau, David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Mitch Pileggi, John Neville, William B. Davis
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The X-Files Movie (1998) expands upon the threat of alien invasion that was a major part of the paranoia mythology of the series. FBI agents Fox Mulder and Dana Skully encounter more cover-ups, outright denials and danger as they continue their uphill battle to uncover the truth despite the X-Files being "closed." The film plays like an episode, which is what makes the movie work-that viewers are still still left scratching their heads and wondering at the end keeps the magic of the series intact. Fun for fans and those new to the story alike.
More mistakes in The X-Files Movie
Cigarette Smoking Man: Secure the station. I want everybody else down below. If you're not armed, arm yourselves! We may have a breach.
Trivia: The bees in the dome scene are real (there were about 30,000 of them). David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson were actually in the dome with them, and neither of them wore protective gear, but weren't stung nonetheless.
Question: If the "cold drink" vending machine was unplugged and the buttons were unresponsive, WHY did the saboteurs deliberately illuminate the front of the machine? Wouldn't this ATTRACT people to the machine, only to subsequently arouse curiosity when it failed to function (as it did with Mulder)? The more logical approach would be to disable the vending machine (including the illumination) and tape an "out of order" sign on it. People would then just ignore the machine, arousing no suspicion. The illuminated vending machine gimmick looks like an illogical contrivance to advance the plot.
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Chosen answer: If they had put an "Out of Order" sign, or left it unilluminated, someone in charge might try to have it fixed or replaced, or could have checked to see if it's plugged in, etc. By leaving it illuminated, it doesn't look out of place and simply not taking money wouldn't arouse too much suspicion. In my own life, when I've come across a seemingly working vending machine that won't take my money or dispense drinks (but gives my money back), I just find another one instead of calling someone or reporting it. But yes, it is very convenient to the plot that Mulder just happens to try and use this particular machine.