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IMDbPro

Evolution

  • 20012001
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 1h 41m
IMDb RATING
6.1/10
128K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,881
119
David Duchovny, Julianne Moore, Seann William Scott, and Orlando Jones in Evolution (2001)
Trailer
Play trailer2:21
1 Video
99+ Photos
  • Comedy
  • Sci-Fi
A fire-fighting cadet, two college professors, and a geeky but sexy government scientist work against an alien organism that has been rapidly evolving since its arrival on Earth inside a met... Read allA fire-fighting cadet, two college professors, and a geeky but sexy government scientist work against an alien organism that has been rapidly evolving since its arrival on Earth inside a meteor.A fire-fighting cadet, two college professors, and a geeky but sexy government scientist work against an alien organism that has been rapidly evolving since its arrival on Earth inside a meteor.
IMDb RATING
6.1/10
128K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
1,881
119
  • Director
    • Ivan Reitman
  • Writers
    • Don Jakoby(story)
    • David Diamond(screenplay)
    • David Weissman(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • David Duchovny
    • Orlando Jones
    • Julianne Moore
Top credits
  • Director
    • Ivan Reitman
  • Writers
    • Don Jakoby(story)
    • David Diamond(screenplay)
    • David Weissman(screenplay)
  • Stars
    • David Duchovny
    • Orlando Jones
    • Julianne Moore
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 475User reviews
    • 122Critic reviews
    • 40Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 nominations

    Videos1

    Evolution (2001)
    Trailer 2:21
    Evolution (2001)

    Photos206

    David Duchovny, Julianne Moore, Seann William Scott and Orlando Jones star
    Julianne Moore and Orlando Jones in Evolution (2001)
    David Duchovny, Seann William Scott, and Orlando Jones in Evolution (2001)
    David Duchovny, Seann William Scott, and Orlando Jones in Evolution (2001)
    David Duchovny and Orlando Jones in Evolution (2001)
    David Duchovny, Julianne Moore, Wendy Braun, and Orlando Jones in Evolution (2001)
    David Duchovny, Julianne Moore, and Orlando Jones in Evolution (2001)
    David Duchovny and Orlando Jones in Evolution (2001)
    Seann William Scott in Evolution (2001)
    David Duchovny, Seann William Scott, and Orlando Jones in Evolution (2001)
    David Duchovny and Julianne Moore in Evolution (2001)
    Julianne Moore and Seann William Scott in Evolution (2001)

    Top cast

    Edit
    David Duchovny
    David Duchovny
    • Ira Kaneas Ira Kane
    Orlando Jones
    Orlando Jones
    • Harry Blockas Harry Block
    Julianne Moore
    Julianne Moore
    • Allisonas Allison
    Seann William Scott
    Seann William Scott
    • Wayneas Wayne
    Ted Levine
    Ted Levine
    • Gen. Woodmanas Gen. Woodman
    Ethan Suplee
    Ethan Suplee
    • Dekeas Deke
    Michael Bower
    Michael Bower
    • Dannyas Danny
    • (as Michael Ray Bower)
    Pat Kilbane
    Pat Kilbane
    • Officer Johnsonas Officer Johnson
    Ty Burrell
    Ty Burrell
    • Flemmingas Flemming
    Dan Aykroyd
    Dan Aykroyd
    • Governor Lewisas Governor Lewis
    Katharine Towne
    Katharine Towne
    • Nadineas Nadine
    Gregory Itzin
    Gregory Itzin
    • Cartwrightas Cartwright
    Ashley Clark
    • Lt. Cryeras Lt. Cryer
    Michelle Wolff
    Michelle Wolff
    • Carlaas Carla
    Sarah Silverman
    Sarah Silverman
    • Deniseas Denise
    Richard Moll
    Richard Moll
    • Fire Training Inspectoras Fire Training Inspector
    Michael McGrady
    Michael McGrady
    • Firemanas Fireman
    Steven Gilborn
    Steven Gilborn
    • Judge Guilderas Judge Guilder
    • Director
      • Ivan Reitman
    • Writers
      • Don Jakoby(story) (screenplay)
      • David Diamond(screenplay)
      • David Weissman(screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Initially written as a serious science-fiction thriller, Ivan Reitman hired David Diamond and David Weissman to re-write the project as a Ghostbusters (1984)-style comedy. The original writer, Don Jakoby, actually enjoyed the changes so much, he continued working on the film alongside the other writers.
    • Goofs
      (at around 4 mins) In the opening sequence, when Wayne runs from the meteor about to hit the ground, he isn't wearing his fireman's jacket. When he is shown with his back to the camera looking at the explosion, he is wearing a jacket.
    • Quotes

      [Dr. Paulson is going to pull the alien bug out through Harry's rectum]

      Nurse Tate: I'll get the lubricant...

      Dr. Paulson: There's no time for lubricant!

      Harry Block: There's ALWAYS time for lubricant!

    • Crazy credits
      There is an item 'Stunt Primate'
    • Alternate versions
      In the courtroom scene, 'Julianne Moore (I)''s character's top pops open, flashing David Duchovny and contributing to her character's inherent clumsiness. This was later cut from the theatrical release, but remnants of its effect can be seen in the courtroom scene. At the beginning of the scene, the top button of her blouse is obviously stretching her blouse, and later we see her clutching her jacket over the open shirt. There is also an allusion to it later in the diner when Orlando Jones comments upon Duchovny's ex pulling off one of his old shirts, saying all the women he's met today have taken off their shirts in front of him.
    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: What's the Worst That Could Happen?/Pearl Harbor/The Anniversary Party/Stanley Kubrick: A Life in Pictures (2001)
    • Soundtracks
      Bombshell
      Written by Michael Tempesta & Michael Cummings

      Performed by Powerman 5000

      Courtesy of DreamWorks Records

    User reviews475

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    Think Ghostbusters with aliens, the heart and mood of Galaxy Quest, better special effects, and Orlando Jones.
    Let me say this: I was never a fan of Ghostbusters. I guess I never got in on the bandwagon on that one. I never found it to be as funny as a lot of people (tons of people actually) found it. I thought parts of it were cool (like the Stay Puff Marshmallow Man), but most of the movie was too drab for me, for some reason. Someday I'll write a review of it, but I'm too lazy to do it right now.

    Why am I talking about Ghostbusters when I'm reviewing Evolution, some of you ask? Well, it's simple. The same man directs both movies (Ivan Reitman) and both movies have very similar plots. Except that, in my opinion, Evolution is better. Basically, think of Evolution as a remake of Ghostbusters only throw out the ghosts and put in aliens, which I like because aliens, in my opinion, are cooler and more realistic than ghosts.

    Let me mention some bad stuff, just to get it over with because I have to do at some point. This movie misses some serious opportunities to be funny. Sometimes, when you are expecting a joke, there is none. It's almost as if they really weren't trying. Sometimes the jokes are a little corny.

    One last bad note: some of the aliens suck. The ending alien is a bit of a let down. It kind of reminded me of Akira, if you've seen that movie. There is also this cute alien who turns out to be nasty via the "mouth within a mouth", a la Ridley Scott's Alien.

    Now on to some good stuff. This movie is really funny in a happy kind of way. I compare the mood of this movie to another Dreamworks alien-comedy, Galaxy Quest (a movie I thought was hilarious). If you liked Galaxy Quest, and I think most people did, then you will like Evolution.

    Something else I would like to point out is how scientific Evolution is. The movie seems very intelligent as far as talking about how the aliens evolve. I for one and happy to see a movie that isn't completely dumbed down for the uneducated. I like alien stuff and space stuff, so this kind of science interests me. Overall, I found Evolution to be very intriguing apart from being funny.

    Oh, I want to mention Orlando Jones. He's the black guy from those 7-Up commercials. I love this guy. He steals the show in this movie. I knew the guy was great ever since I saw the first of those 7-Up commercials. He was also in the Replacements (that lame football comedy which was also somewhat entertaining), and he's probably been in some other stuff I haven't seen or can't remember. But let me tell you, this guy is going places. As for the other actors, they're decent. I like the touch of having David Duchovny on board. Julian Moore is a good actress, but she got shafted in the character department. She has a basic "walking cardboard cutout" character with little personality. Oh well.

    In conclusion, please do me a favor of not going into this movie expecting a great movie. Why do people do that? Every movie can't be the Godfather or 2001 or Saving Private Ryan, so why don't you just shut up and enjoy the movie. You won't look back at Evolution at the end of the summer as you favorite summer movie this year, but you're not supposed to. Evolution was made to be entertaining, not great. It was made to give you your money's worth and put forth an enjoyable show. I think it accomplishes its mission.

    7/10
    helpful•21
    7
    • Keyser Soze-12
    • Jun 10, 2001

    FAQ1

    • Were the references to Head & Shoulders product placement?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 8, 2001 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Evolución
    • Filming locations
      • Page, Arizona, USA
    • Production companies
      • Columbia Pictures
      • Dreamworks Pictures
      • The Montecito Picture Company
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $80,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $38,345,494
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $13,408,351
      • Jun 10, 2001
    • Gross worldwide
      • $98,376,292
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 41 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • DTS
      • Dolby Digital
      • SDDS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

    Related news

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