Evolution

Rating:
Summary: Hilarious Sci-Fi Flick
Review: David Duchovny makes this film unforgettable. It's a very ironic film, as he's associated with the 'truth-seeking' Mulder from the X-Files. To see him in a role like this is very refreshing.

The film follows David Duchovny's character, a scientist at a college in arizona. He investigates a meteor strike in the desert to find that it's teaming with life, that isn't from Earth. The life forms evolve at an astounding rate, and threaten to out-evolve humans, becoming the dominant species on Earth. It's a race against time, and the Army, to find a way to stop the plague from growing to huge proportions.

It's a wild ride, and one I'm sure you'll enjoy.

Rating:
Summary: This movie is great to see- if your a masochist.
Review: I rented the film with my grandparents and some cousins in hopeful anticipation of a good comedy. And while i cant say this too often, i completely despised this film! My grandpa mentioned that he wasted 2 hours of his life, and he spoke for everyone who was in the room watching the movie. I mean, come on? Who destroys an evolution of beasts with shampoo? And thats not even the worst of it. No one deserves the torture that this movie delivers. This crass and crude sloppily put together film doesn't have anything in comedy aside from a few slapstick jokes that my 7 year old cousin found to be immature. If you want to watch a good comedy, i suggest instead watching Rush Hour 2 or Caddyshack, and not this piece of work solely created to torture the civilized human being inoccently trying to find a good comedy to watch.

Rating:
Summary: Films are evolving- or are they?
Review: Evolution, starring David Duchovny, is one of those rare breed of movies, a sci-fi comedy. The premise is based on a small meteorite that crashes to earth and brings with it a very basic, almost amoeba-like life form. The life forms oozes out of the meteorite and evolves at an extremely rapid rate, creating a bizarre array of weird and dangerous creatures that plague, and in some cases terrify, a local town.
First, let's get thing's straight. Evolution is not a movie aimed at intellectuals. You can leave your brain on engage for this one.The SFX for evoloution are very good, and the CGI is practically flawless. The plot is rather recycled, but is OK nonetheless. The humour used is very crude and juvenile, but it is in places very funny. The action sequences in evolution vary tremendously, from OK to very, very good.
In particular, there is an excellent and funny scene in a deserted mall involving a giant 'bird', that brings shocks and surprises in equal measure. The end scene is pretty funny, and the idea is very new, so full marks go to originality for the ending. Acting in evolution is, fair to say, basic, but the action within the film more than compensates for it.
What i found more mundane about evolution was the pace. Unlike the subject of the film, the picture itself goes very slowly, and i always get the feeling when watching evolution that the film isn't quite up to it's full potential, and it never really gets into 2nd gear. Some parts of the film i found rather unnecessary to have been added in. For instance, the whole subplot about one of the lead actors wanting to become a fireman. I found that sub-story rather dull, althuogh i do admit it does tie in to the film. This is one of those films that you are quite happy to watch with friends, but you couldn't really expect the family to gather round to at christmastime, or some other big occasion.
At times the film is actually too sarcastic, and you get the feeling that evolution doesn't really know whether it is truly a comedy or a sci-fi. This means that evolution is only OK at either,so it is moderately funny instead of very funny, and only a partially thrilling sci-fi. Films such as evolution that try to do two things at once encounter a whole range of problems that a normal film doesn't have. I would have been happier had evolution concentrated on wholly being a comedy or a sci-fi instead of half each. Oh well, i suppose that's why there are not too many films like this around.
Despite this, evolution does contain some riotous sequences, brings in laughs and some good action, and due to the quality of the SFX, is a welcome addition to any DVD collection. Recommended to anyone who like sci-fi, spoof or comedy. Films like evolution are not taxing, intead they are fun and lightweight.

Rating:
Summary: A Very Funny Sci-Fi Movie
Review: "Evolution" isn't the best sci-fi comedy ever, but it's certainly very good. It's one of those guilty pleasure films that you enjoy over and over again.

The plot is nothing special. Two community college professors (played by David Duchovny and Orlando Jones) discover that a meteor that crashed in the desert is teeming with life that is rapidly evolving. The military comes in and screws things up, leaving the two profs, a government scientist (Julianne Moore), and a wannabe firefighter (Seann William Scott) to stop the alien menace before it takes over the world. There's also a funny cameo by Dan Akroyd as the governor of Arizona.

The acting is good. Duchovny and Jones have excellent chemistry together, really playing off each other well. Duchovny plays more the sarcastic, cynical scientist, while Jones is more manic, particularly in a scene where they're in the cavern. Moore is decent as a very clumsy and socially inept scientist. Scott's a little flat as Wayne, but that's part of being a character who's dumb but trying to look smart. There's also other bit players that are really funny, including two fat guys who are hysterical.

The story and script move along briskly, with only a few really unnecessary scenes. The jokes comes at a similarly brisk pace and are very funny for the most part. It's not a very realistic movie, as some of the things that are said and done are things most normal people wouldn't do, but that's part of the charm of this movie.

The effects are also very good for a movie that's more comedy than anything else. Things really look very realistic and are on-par with a movie like "Men in Black" and "Harry Potter".

As far as extra go, there's not a whole lot. Most of it has to do with the special effects, although you do get some funny deleted scenes. The commentary track is the biggest treat, with Ivan Reitman, Duchovny, Jones, and Scott all in a room at once. It's really funny.

Overall, this is a good film if you're just looking for some laughs. It sort of has the charm of "Ghostbusters" and "Men in Black" with some great interplay between Jones and Duchovny. Definitely a must-see if you're a "Men in Black" fan.

Rating:
Summary: It was like a car accident
Review: Late one nite on cable, this came on. Julianne Moore was in so I decided to watch from the beginning. It was so bad that I just want someone to admit publicly that they've done movies for either the money or to fulfill part of some other deal. I refuse to believe that mature adults read things like the this, get involved, know the words on paper will be translated to film forever and still get involved.
Though I've taken jobs for money, I in no way judge others for doing the same. I just want them to admit it.
Don't buy this movie and don't tape it from cable, one viewing will give you the gist of this REALLY bad X-Files/Ghostbusters dreck.

Rating:
Summary: I must be missing something ...
Review: This is one of the worst films I've ever seen, hands down. It's odd, though -- I like all the actors involved, I like the director, and I like the subject matter, yet I still fell asleep less than an hour into it. I missed about 10 minutes but, alas, really missed nothing.

I will give the film credit, though, for being a perfect cross between an 80s college/party flick (example: the equally terrible "Revenge of the Nerds II," III, etc.) and an imaginary X-Files episode where David Duchovny is drunk, high, or both. He is so terrible it's almost as if Agent Mulder has taken the weekend off, and has gone to play "goofy scientist" in a movie filmed on Fantasy Island. Julianne Moore is slumming big-time.

There are elements of many Ivan Reitman vehicles here, too, including "Ghostbusters" and "Stripes," but without the laughs. The non-funniness is sometimes so painful you keep expecting the actors to crack up and say "Can we do that over again??"

Rating:
Summary: Who ya gonna call? Glen Canyon Community College scientists!
Review: Ask Charles Darwin to explain the implications for natural selection of the fact that comedic second bananas Orlando Jones and Seann William Scott manage to steal most of the seasons from romantic couple David Duchovny and Julianne Moore in the 2001 film "Evolution" and the great naturalist would probably just turn over in his grave in Westminster Abbey and refuse to answer. After all, it is not like Hollywood is a human or even a social institution and therefore is not going to be subject to natural laws or common sense.

Wayne Green (Scott) is out in the desert practicing saving an inflatable doll from a burning shack when a meteor comes to earth on top of his car. Harry Block (Jones), a scientist from Glen Canyon Community College shows up to investigate in the name of the U.S. government and brings along Dr. Ira Kane (Duchovny), the head of the science department. The meteor has ended up in an underground cavern when strange little things are growing. Every time they come back to the cavern it is as if several millions years of evolution have taken place. Kane and Block get excited, but then the feds and the army show up and spoil all the fun. Moore, tired of being nominated for Oscars all the time, finds a role that requires her to fall down a lot in Allison Reed, a scientist affiliated with the army. The boys want to keep investigating the evolving creatures but the feds have frozen them out, despite Allison's help. In the best 1950s science fiction film tradition the military is completely wrong about how it is handling the aliens and the scientists are right, which means they are going to have to end up saving the day.

Even if "Evolution" had not been directed by Ivan Reitman or had Dan Ackroyd playing the Governor of Arizona, it would still remind most viewers of "Ghostbusters." Kane and Block are a similar sort of tag team, able to talk knowledgebly about strange things beyond their experiences. The biggest difference between the two films is that the special effects for the evolving alien creatures are a much bigger part of "Evolution." The film becomes a series of alien encounters building up to the climax where our heroes have to take on the biggest alien monster of them all, at which point there is a rather inspired example of product placement.

We already know from "The X-Files" that Duchovny can do humor, so the problem here is not the acting but the script. Jones has all the good one-liners although Duchovny gets the big stinker at the end when he saves his friend from a horrible fate. The cast look like they had a good time making the film, but that must have been due more to their enjoyment of each other rather than of the script. "Evolution" is one of those films where you say, okay, good first draft; now let us try to come up with something that would make a funny movie. If there is always time for lubricant (you will understand when you watch the film), then there is always time to do a decent rewrite. This is not so much a bad movie as it is one that is just not good. Still, it is a pleasant enough diversion for a rainy afternoon, although you would never want to be diverted from studying for a science test by such a film.

Rating:
Summary: David Duchovny CAN act!
Review: I was never a real fan of X-Files. Mulder was always droning on and on about 'finding the truth'. I got bored with that after a while. Duchovny showed that he was a good drama actor, and that was about it. Now, let's get to Evolution....

This film rocked. Duchovny showed that not only is he a solid drama actor, but he can do comedy as well. I thought Orlando Jones played a pretty good role too, although this is the only thing other than 7-Up commercials I've seen him in. Of course, there was that annoying, 'Dude, Where's My Car"' guy, but I can get past that.

The special effects and CGI portions of the film were perfect. There was just enough to make the scenes believable, but closeups were done with animatronics. Excellent mix. The video quality on the disk, as well as the sound were first rate. I don't remember much from the surrounds, but I wasn't constantly listening for them, either.

The storyline is good, and pretty believable. Being a scientist myself, I found some small plot holes, but these are things the general population would never pick up on, so I won't hold that against anyone.

I can't say anything bad about this film, really. I enjoyed it immensely. I don't know if I'd let a six or sever year old watch it, due to some sexual suggestions, etc., but everyone else should get a kick out of this movie. I'm really surprised it didn't get better ratings when it was in the theatres.

Rating:
Summary: Great Spoof!
Review: This movie was a hysterical, comical spoof of many different movies, TV shows (including X-Files), & even some commercials. Duchovny fans looking for an X-Files-type flick will be very disappointed, as well as those expecting a drama. Those of us who waited to see what it was with an open mind were rolling in the aisles or on the living room floor.

Rating:
Summary: Very Funny Disaster
Review: This is your typicle Ivan Reitman movie, make a disaster movie that is hilarious. David Duchovny and Orlando Jones are Junior College Prophesors that make an unbelieveable discovery. No matter what they to do to keep it a secret it still leaks out to the government. When the government gets involved so does Julianne Moore, Who is a total babe, Julianne is both a genius and a cluts, which makes for a perfect charater in this movie. Every actor in the movie is hilarious and a perfect fit. If you like sci-fi with a dash of humor, or visa-versa, then you will love this movie.