Evolution (Wide Screen) > Reviews > Evolution - more like devolution

Author's product rating:   

Did you enjoy it?	Liked it
Story	Good
Characters / Performances	Satisfactory
Special Effects	Good
How does it compare to similar films?	Satisfactory

Advantages:	good special effects, good performance from Orlando Jones
Disadvantages:	Julianne Moore  -  why was she there? Poor script, few laughs

Recommend to potential buyers:

no

Full review

Evolution. A film recommended to me by both my friends AND my family. Would I do the same thing to them? I couldn't honestly say whether I would.

X-files star David Duchovney appears as Ira Kane, Orlando Jones as Harry Block, and Julianne Moore as Dr. Allison...erm...someone. Anyhow, the first two are college professors, Ms. Moore a rather clumsy government science type in 'need of a good humping' according to Dr. Block(Jones). And that very line should really give you a fair picture of what this picture promises.

Brilliant special effects backed up by a good idea with a rather tawdry script. That's what I'd describe this film as. I enjoyed it yes, but I couldn't help thinking it could have been a whole lot better, although I'm not sure how.

Evolution follows the story of a crashed meteor which is carrying alien life. Kane and Block happen to discover it, but being only mere college professors (well, so we're told) it isn't long before the government step in and take over the entire area. Kane, an ex pentagon scientist, along with Block are determined to get credit for the discovery. They, after all, were the ones to realise that the alien cells they collected from the meteor were evolving at an impossible rate. Meanwhile, evolved life forms are popping up all over the place, including an incredibly cute dog like creature and a rather vicious dog like piranha hybrid. There's also a bird like dinosaur thingy with a rather unusual way of dealing with shoplifters (lifting the said shoplifter quite literally into the air). It all gets quite out of control, and it’s up to Kane and co to save the day (in a rather dubious fashion I might add) rather than the army (who basically make things worse). And there’s your basic idea of the story.

It’s all a bit of fun really, but with no real substance. The laughs aren’t exactly a plenty, yet it’s too silly to be taken seriously - not that seriousness was ever the intention. Jones is probably the best thing in it(aside from the creatures) , although Duchovney does surprisingly step well away from X-files territory (despite the aliens and the whole government thing). Julianne Moore however really doesn’t get enough screen time to ever become anything special, and the on screen romance with her and Duchovney could have been left well alone to the films benefit I feel (although I did enjoy the bit with Duchovney and his ex Denise, probably one of the funnier moments in the film).

One gripe I felt was the amount of swearing and sexual references in the film. It seemed too often that the script relied on such devices to get a few laughs, rather than genuine wit. In all the film isn’t bad, it just isn’t too good either. To be touted as the sci-fi comedy of the season is a bit much, but having said that, what else is there to compete for the title? The special effects, I feel, are good enough to be carried onto video, so if you do intend to see this, you might want to wait until video.

The soundtrack was somewhat repetitive and for some reason that red jeep Block and co were driving really annoyed me. And where did they get that fire truck from at the end? Who knows. Not an excellent way to waste an hour and a half, and I can think of a lot of better ways to spend my own time, but if weak humour and good special effects are your thing, then this very well could be the film for you. It just wasn’t for me I’m afraid. For better laughs, go and see something like Shrek, the animation is as good too. If you really, really must get your fill of Sci-fi comedy on the other hand, you might be better off trying to get a hold of Ghostbusters. Both films are directed by the same person (Ivan Reitman I think) but the latter is certainly superior in terms of goodness.