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Evolution [2001]


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Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

Based on the evidence in Evolution, one thing is perfectly clear: special effects have evolved, but director Ivan Reitman has reverted to primitive pandering. Equally obvious is the fact that Evolution is a defacto rip-off of Reitman's 1984 classic Ghostbusters, but this time there's no Bill Murray to deliver the best punch lines (we have to settle for fellow ghostbuster Dan Aykroyd in a broad supporting role) and the comedy has devolved into a gross-fest including deep-rectal extraction of alien insects, fire-hose enemas into a giant alien sphincter, and a full-moon display of David Duchovny's naked posterior. Whereas Ghostbusters was a shrewd, irreverent mainstream comedy that combined gooey spectral ectoplasm with something resembling genuine wit, Evolution is a crude, juvenile romp in which all things slimy are elevated to comedic supremacy. Granted, that's not always a bad thing. As latter-day Ghostbusters equivalents, Duchovny, Orlando Jones and Seann William Scott make a fine comedic trio, and Julianne Moore is equally amusing as a clumsy scientist and Duchovny's obligatory love interest. Despite the meddling of clueless military buffoons, they join forces to eradicate a wild variety of rapidly evolving alien creatures that arrived on Earth via meteor impact, and the extraterrestrial beasties (courtesy of effects wizard Phil Tippet and crew) are outrageously designed and marvellously convincing. For anyone who prefers lowbrow humour, Evolution will prove as entertaining as Ghostbusters (or at least Galaxy Quest), while others may lament Reitman's shameless embrace of crudeness. One thing's for certain: after seeing this film, you'll gain a whole new appreciation for Head & Shoulders shampoo. --Jeff Shannon, Amazon.com

On the DVD: Evolution's special effects and CGI are seamless and crystal clear in anamorphic widescreen with some of the "creatures" looking more realistic than the actors. This is a movie with quite a few set pieces, but none show off the Dolby 5.1 soundtrack better than the dragon attack in the mall, connect up a couple of speakers and you can hear the flap of leathery wings behind your couch. In terms of extras there's a making-of documentary from HBO called The Evolution of Evolution, hosted by Orlando Jones, in which he interviews his co-stars (most of whom seem to ignore him) and the director Ivan Reitman. You also get the behind-scenes track on the special effects and art direction. Other than that you get the theatrical trailer, the teaser trailer and the original trailer for Ghostbusters, which adds a touch classic 80s' memorabilia. --Kristen Bowditch


Funny..in the same vein as Ghostbusters
Review date: 2007-12-23 Rating: 8 out of 10

"Evolution," starring David Duchovny, Orlando Jones, Seann William Scott and Julianne Moore, is a terrific fun summer romp. A meteorite crashes to Earth, bringing with it microscopic alien organisms that rapidly begin evolving and threaten humanity's very existence. Enter our heroes, two community college science professors Ira Kane (Duchovny) and Harry Block (Jones). They investigate the meteorite, take samples and Kane quickly realizes what is going on. But the Army has been monitoring Kane's work ever since he was drummed out of the USAMRID because of a tremendous mistake he made. They try to take over the situation, but don't really know what they're doing. CDC scientist Allison (Moore) at first works with the Army on the project, but soon realizes that it's Kane who is making the most sense.

The whole movie is done as a comedy and the jokes are fast, furious and really funny. The chemistry between the leads is fantastic. Special effects -- the alien creatures -- rocks. Don't miss this one

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Reviews


HEAD AND SHOULDERS ABOVE THE REST (sorry, couldn't resist it)
Review date: 2007-09-16 Rating: 8 out of 10

I love this film, it has never failed to make me laugh and its' simplicity is the key to its' success. No deep thinking, no intricate plots and no reality. An absolute no brainer with no pretences, just good fun and light hearted humour. Those few of you that couldn't see the humour try the head and shoulders enema, it may clear your vision.

A 101 MINUTE COMEDY OF PURE LAUGHS
Review date: 2007-08-19 Rating: 8 out of 10

Growing up in the 1980's, I instantly became a sucker for almost anything director Ivan Reitman put his hands on. The man that did the impossible in making Arnold Schwarzenegger look funny (Twins, Kindergarten Cop) captured my heart and soul with Ghostbusters 1&2, two creative and visually magnificent pieces of cinematic eye-candy that hold a candle even to today's mega-budgeted blockbusters. Obviously, when I heard he was creating a modern day equivalent to the aforementioned duo only with aliens instead of ghosts, my heart skipped a more than a beat. This effect grew stronger upon learning that David Duchovny (aka Fox Mulder from The X Files) is appearing in a comical lead role, corresponding ironically with his serious, moody self from the 1990's hit series X-Files.

To tie this all up neatly, the movie itself was everything I hoped to receive - and then some. Apart from top notch comic appearances by Duchovny and Julianne Moore - actors we're used to seeing in much more serious roles, we also get an awkwardly funny Orlando Jones (where the hell did he disappear?) and an embarrassingly stupid Stifler... Er, Sean William Scott.

So how does the end of the world feel like? In an alternate future where an asteroid crashes into Earth and rapidly starts developing an intensive alien evolution, the result is cute aliens, dumbed-down dinosaurs, and a 101 minute commercial for Head & Shoulders. Have fun!

Is it supposed to be a comedy?
Review date: 2007-08-08 Rating: 2 out of 10

For about the first 50 minutes I truly did not realise this film was supposed to be amusing. The comedy is so bad I really can't believe anyone finds it amusing. It consists of people falling over, wisecracks by the token black sidekick about the way black people are treated in society, which never raise so much as a smile.
Duchovney is out of his depth. He was never an exceptional actor in the seires in which he gained renown, namely the X-files, but starring in a comedy, with his morose demeanour, was a recipe for disaster. The chap who played 'Stifler' (I forget his name) is the only positive note in the entire film, and even he is lacklustre and nowhere near as good as the character for which he gained renown.
Overall, a bad bad bad film. The plot is the usual cliche about alien life forms evolving (hence the name) on earth, while the combined might of the military and the bumbling protagonists limp along from one cliche to another. I'm really struggling to express how bad this film is, just avoid completely, and don't subject yourself to this kind of comedy for the stupid. Come on, we're British, we gave the world Monty Python, amongst others, let's not sit here and see the name of comedy successively ruined by Hollywood.

O.K, so it's not the BEST film ever...
Review date: 2007-04-30 Rating: 8 out of 10

nor is it the funniest I have seen. But it is interesting, fast paced and has a fun lighthearted feel. Maybe some things could have been improved but you can really say that about any film. I think Evolution is definately worth a watch and, at the end of the day, it made me happy. And what higher praise can you give a film?

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
David Duchovny
Orlando Jones
Seann William Scott
Julianne Moore
Ted Levine

Creators:
David Duchovny (Primary Contributor)
Orlando Jones (Primary Contributor)
Ivan Reitman (Producer)
Daniel Goldberg (Producer)
David Rodgers (Producer)
Jeff Apple (Producer)
David Diamond (Writer)
David Weissman (Writer)
Don Jakoby (Writer)

Director(s):

Recording label: Uca
Manufacturer: Uca
EAN: 5050582319019
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Anamorphic, PAL, Widescreen,
Release date: 2005-01-10
Number of discs: 1
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Audience rating: Parental Guidance
Region code: 2
Running time: 102 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2001-06-08
Language: English (Subtitled)
Language: Hindi (Subtitled)
Language: English (Original Language)

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