Neglected Film: Evolution

In the tradition of what Patti Abbott is doing with forgotten books, I thought I'd try the same thing with movies. I'm not going to tag anyone to do this, but if you happen to like the idea and want to join in (or if you want to tag someone yourself), let me know and I'll link to your site.

For my first neglected movie I thought I'd highlight a film that no one else seems to appreciate: Ivan Reitman's Evolution. Released in 2001, this spiritual cousin to Reitman's own Ghostbusters received little love from critics (it has only a 41% Tomatometer rating from Rotten Tomatoes) and moviegoers, grossing only $40 million - a blockbuster by independent film standards, but a huge bomb for a summer movie with a $80 million price tag. It's too bad because this is one hilarious comedy.



Faced with dangerous alien lifeforms that evolve at an astronomical pace (accomplishing in a few hours what it has taken us millions of years to do), two community college professors, a firefighter wannabe and a bumbling CDC scientist must find a way to save humanity. Okay, not the most innovative plot in the world - and if it were filmed as the serious thriller it was originally intendend to be, it would have been a disaster; but the comedy is so sarcastic and farcical that the plot doesn't really matter.

But as amusing as the comedy is, it probably wouldn't have been as great without its perfectly cast stars. David Duchovny's dry delivery is something approaching perfection; Orlando Jones, sadly, hasn't found a better role to showcase his vast comedic talents and Seann William Scott is wonderfully goofy. And not to be outdone, Julianne Moore is an amazing klutz.

So, if you're in a whimsical mood and want to watch something extremely giddy, then try Evolution.





Other neglected films:

Patti Abbott - Do the Right Thing

Todd Mason - Prime Cut and The Explosive Generation