GHOSTBUSTERS II was one of my favorite movies as a small child, so when I heard that Ivan Reitman was doing another film, similar to his GHOSTBUSTERS duo, I was all over it.

EVOLUTION, while certainly not better, was just as certainly not worse. Several times the audience laughed out loud and chuckles were heard throughout the film. With a common concept—aliens invade and attack until finally a ragtag team of heroes kills them off—EVOLUTION is not an intellectual film by any means, but it doesn’t have to be. It’s a fun, entertaining movie and anyone who wants to see it will enjoy it.

EVOLUTION begins as a giant meteor enters the Earth’s atmosphere and crashes to the ground. It’s soon discovered by Wayne (Scott), best known for his role as Stiffler in AMERICAN PIE. On the scene the next morning are community college science professors, played by Duchovny and Jones. Jones is much funnier than his 7-Up commercials show and Duchovny seems to have been waiting to leave “The X-Files” so he could showcase his funny side. Julianne Moore, wonderful actress though she is, does not fit in well with the cast or plot and struggles as a slapstick comedic actress.

Comedy aside, the reason you should see this movie in the theater is because of the special effects, which can be better appreciated on a large scale. EVOLUTION is definitely a movie of the future, with elaborate “alien” sets that look like something out of a Muppet’s nightmare. The different stages of the aliens’ evolution gave the effects team another way to stretch their imaginations. From a creepy blue ape-man to a flying dinosaur, the computer animators deserve big pats on the back for their impressive work.

All in all, EVOLUTION is what is should be and will most definitely entertain and amuse those who want to go see it. People who do not enjoy slapstick, slightly cheesy action-comedies, I recommend you just go see something else. But for those of you who loved ROAD TRIP, THE MUMMY, or even GHOSTBUSTERS, enjoy!

—Renae Bolen

hybridCinema Ratings Guide:

Take a pal and pay full price for both tickets.

It’s worth a full-price ticket.

It’s worth a matinee ticket.

Wait for video rental.

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