Eighties throwback (Evolution (DVD))

Member Name: x_elff_x

Product:	Evolution (DVD)
Date:	26/06/01 (200 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Boys get to see Julianne Moore's stocking tops

Disadvantages: Girls get to see Mr Duchovny's bare bottom

YOU could be forgiven for thinking you have strayed into a film from the Eighties when watching Ivan Reitman’s (of Ghostbusters fame and Twins infamy) Evolution.

All those Eighties ingredients are there – a loveable white college professor Dr Ira Kane (David Duchovny) and his slightly off-the-wall and oh-so-very-witty black colleague Dr Harry Block (Orlando Jones) who find themselves sucked into saving the world when a meteor falls to earth bringing with it an alien life-form which can evolve faster than you can say Men in Black.

So far, so derivative, and all the elements of a summer blockbuster are here. Duchovny and Jones are certainly fine figures of manhood and when, predictably, the military become involved in the form of smart and sassy scientist Dr Allison Reed (Julianne Moore), the boys get plenty to see too.

But this film falls wide of the mark. The special effects look lame in comparison to extravaganzas like The Mummy Returns and Jurassic Park and the script is trying to be all things to all men.

One moment we are getting the dry humour usually reserved for the Bill Murray types of this world and the next Duchovny is mooning like an outcast from Police Academy while bottom gags abound.

There are moments when the script hits the mark, but far more when you feel yourself groaning inwardly at some dated bit of business or limp laugh line.

Duchovny is reasonably successful in the comedy role, but Jones gets many of the funnier gags.

As for Moore, she does her best with what there is, but you just can’t help wondering why she ever agreed to take this part – which largely seems to involve her being very intelligent, yet clumsy.

As she falls for the nth time to reveal her stocking tops, you wonder if perhaps it isn’t about time that Reitman’s directing evolved from the single-cell organism it has become to be part of the 21st century too.
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br><br>Originally printed in the Edinburgh Evening News - but I hasten to add, it was written by me :o)

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