Evolution (2001 film)
| Evolution | |
|---|---|
 Evolution film poster | |
| Directed by | Ivan Reitman |
| Written by | David Diamond, Don Jakoby, David Weissman |
| Produced by | Joe Medjuck, Ivan Reitman, Daniel Goldberg |
| Starring | David Duchovny, Orlando Jones, Julianne Moore, Seann William Scott |
| Distributed by | DreamWorks |
Release date | 8 June 2001 |
Running time | 101 minutes |
| Language | English |
| Budget | ~ US$80,000,000 |
Evolution is a 2001 comedy sci-fi movie directed by Ivan Reitman. It is based on a story by Don Jackoby who converted it into a screenplay along with David Diamond and David Weissman. A short lived animated series that was loosely based on the film also aired.
Plot
Ira Kane and Harry Block discover an alien organism in an asteroid that has crashed to Earth. Though initially a simple goo it rapidly evolves into a variety of creatures that threaten to take over the sleepy town of Glen Canyon. Soon the government (and army), led by Allison Reed and Russell Woodman who are quite familiar with Ira Kane, attends the scene and attempt to control the situation. Unfortunately, their method of destroying the alien lifeform via napalm actually boosts its growth and it comes down to Kane, Block and a few friends to save everyone (The aliens react to fire like it was Miracle-Gro).
It is discovered that selenium, an ingredient in some Head & Shoulders shampoos, is as poisonous to the alien life-forms as arsenic is to humans. This idea is brought about by performing the same translation of movements (down two and right one) in the periodic table from nitrogen (a primary element in the alien life-form) to selenium as from carbon (a primary element in humans) to arsenic.
- Tagline: Have a nice end of the world.
Criticism
Some moviegoers were disillusioned with the blatant product placement in the movie, combined with the almost comical portrayal of some characters and science.
Cast
- David Duchovny – Dr. Ira Kane
- Julianne Moore – Dr. Allison Reed
- Orlando Jones – Prof. Harry Block
- Seann William Scott – Wayne Grey
- Ted Levine – Brig. Gen. Russell Woodman
- Ethan Suplee – Deke
- Michael Bower – Danny
- Dan Aykroyd – Gov. Lewis
Kyle Gass, Sarah Silverman, Richard Moll, Tom Davis, Miriam Flynn, and John Cho have cameo appearances.