AlienBusters
Evolution
Review by Ross Anthony

A fun ride. Written with the charm and supernatural touch of the "Ghostbusters" movies (1984 and 1989 - has it been that long?), Evolution bands together a clever cast of quirky, easy to Evolutionlove, characters to fight larger-than-life googly-eyed bad guys. And again, the future of the planet is at stake.

A meteor smashes into Glen Canyon, Arizona. Two science instructors (Duchovny and Jones) at a local community college investigate the foreign object. "This rock is bleeding!" Jones exclaims. Soon Duchovny discovers organisms within the rock-juice dividing and reproducing at accelerated rates, "They've undergone two hundred and fifty million years of evolution in two hours!" Jones' straight-faced reply, "That's fast." The rest is "Ghostbusters" with aliens (Dan Aykroyd even finds a part as governor).

Showing off a broad array of humor from sarcasm to car-window mooning, the levelheaded, often stale-faced Duchovny is absolutely perfect. You'll be charmed. Jones, swift with the physical humor, also delivers his share of sharp whit and sarcasm. And though quick to trip and fall, Moore gives a stand-up performance.

The production quality of the picture varies, sometimes in soft focus; but the organisms and aliens are magnificently created and splendidly graphically animated.

Historically speaking, meteors have struck Arizona. You can visit their football stadium sized craters. "Evolution's" craters however, barely carve a hole 10 yards wide. And there are plenty of other, less than scientifically accurate developments in the film. Add to those implausibilities, winceably gratuitous product-placement massaged into the climax and this adorable little three-eyed film sacrifices its solid "A" rating.

Still, simply delightful, good family fun.



  • Evolution. Copyright © 2001. Rated PG-13.
  • Starring David Duchovny, Julianne Moore, Orlando Jones, Seann William Scott, Ted Levine, Ethan Suplee, Michael Ray Bower, Pat Kilbane, Ty Burrell, Dan Aykroyd.
  • Directed by Ivan Reitman.
  • Written by David Diamond and David Weissman and Don Jakoby.
  • Produced by Don Jakoby, Daniel Goldberg, Joe Medjuck at DreamWorks/Columbia/Montecito.



Grade..........................A-



Copyright © 2001. Ross Anthony, currently based in Los Angeles, has scripted and shot documentaries, music videos, and shorts in 35 countries across North America, Europe, Africa and Asia. For more reviews visit: RossAnthony.com


chili4 special olympians
power5 ra hforh radiop


Last Modified: Saturday, 16-Sep-2006 08:12:03 PDT