Evolution [DVD] [2001]

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

DVD Special Features Making of Featurette
Production Notes
Filmographies
Trailers

Feature Run Time: 98 minutes
Subtitles: English, English (for hard of hearing), Hindi

The director of Ghostbusters takes you on an evolutionary roller coaster ride with big laughs and even bigger special effects in Evolution. Starring David Duchovny (The X Files, Return To Me), Orlando Jones (Say It Isn't So, Bedazzled), Seann William Scott (Road Trip, American Pie) and two time Academy Award nominee Julianne Moore (Hannibal, Magnolia, The End Of the Affair).

College teachers Ira Kane (Duchovny) and Harry Block (Jones) are inadvertently called to the site of a meteorite crash where they discover a variety of single-celled alien life forms. Government scientist Alison Reed (Moore) gets involved and goes head to head with the local scientific duo. But when the alien cells begin evolving at an alarming rate and the monstrous creatures they become threaten the future of the human race, they find themselves playing on the same team. It's Darwin's biggest nightmare and survival of the fittest in the funniest, wildest comedy of the year!