Editing Evolution (2001 film)

{{short description|2001 science fiction comedy film by Ivan Reitman}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2013}}
{{Infobox film
| name           = Evolution
| image          = Evolution movie.jpg
| caption        = Theatrical release poster
| alt            = Four people standing behind a fiery yellow smiley face with three eyes
| director       = [[Ivan Reitman]]
| producer       = {{plainlist|
* [[Daniel Goldberg (producer)|Daniel Goldberg]]
* [[Joe Medjuck]]
* Ivan Reitman
}}
| screenplay     = {{plainlist|
* [[David Diamond (screenwriter)|David Diamond]]
* [[David Weissman]]
* Don Jakoby
}}
| story          = Don Jakoby
| starring       = {{plainlist|
* [[David Duchovny]]
* [[Orlando Jones]]
* [[Seann William Scott]]
* [[Julianne Moore]]
* [[Ted Levine]]
}}
| music          = [[John Powell (composer)|John Powell]]
| cinematography = [[Michael Chapman (cinematographer)|Michael Chapman]]
| editing        = {{plainlist|
* [[Wendy Greene Bricmont]]
* [[Sheldon Kahn]]
}}
| studio         = [[The Montecito Picture Company]]<ref name=afi>{{cite web|url=http://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/MovieDetails/62007|title=Evolution (2001)|work=[[AFI Catalog of Feature Films]]|access-date=January 2, 2017}}</ref>
| distributor    = {{plainlist|
* [[DreamWorks Pictures]]<ref name=afi/>
* [[Columbia Pictures]]<ref name=afi/>
}}
| released       = {{Film date|2001|6|8}}
| runtime        = 102 minutes<ref name=afi/>
| country        = United States<ref name=afi/>
| language       = English
| budget         = $80 million<ref name="mojo">{{cite web |url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=evolution.htm |title=Evolution |work=[[Box Office Mojo]] |access-date=January 2, 2017}}</ref>
| gross          = $98.4 million<ref name="mojo" />
}}
'''''Evolution''''' is a 2001 American [[science fiction comedy]] film directed by [[Ivan Reitman]] and written by [[David Diamond (screenwriter)|David Diamond]] and [[David Weissman]], based on a story by Don Jakoby. The film stars [[David Duchovny]], [[Orlando Jones]], [[Seann William Scott]], [[Julianne Moore]], and [[Ted Levine]] in lead roles.

The plot follows college professor Ira Kane (Duchovny) and geologist Harry Block (Jones) as they investigate a [[Meteoroid|meteor]] crash in [[Arizona]], only to discover that it harbors rapidly evolving [[Extraterrestrial life|extraterrestrial life forms]].

The film was released by [[DreamWorks Pictures]] in the United States on June 8, 2001 and by [[Columbia Pictures]] internationally. ''Evolution'' received mixed-to-negative reviews from film critics with criticism for its storyline, screenplay and pacing; however, the performances of the cast received minor praise. It emerged as a moderate commercial success at the box-office, grossing $98.4 million worldwide against a production budget of $80 million. A short-lived [[animated series]], ''[[Alienators: Evolution Continues]]'', loosely based on the film, was broadcast months after the film was released.

==Plot==
<!-- Per WP:FILMPLOT, plot summaries for feature films are 400 to 700 words. -->
Late one night, a large [[Meteoroid|meteor]] crashes in the [[Sonoran Desert|Arizona desert]], witnessed by aspiring firefighter Wayne Grey. The next morning, college professors Ira Kane and Harry Block investigate the crash site, discovering that the meteor has landed in a cave and secretes a strange blue liquid. Upon further study, they find that the meteor harbors [[Extraterrestrial life|extraterrestrial microorganisms]] that evolve rapidly, condensing millions of years of evolution into mere hours.

Over the next few days, the organisms evolve into [[Fungus|fungi]], [[flatworm]]s, and aquatic creatures, despite being unable to breathe [[oxygen]]. As the [[United States Army]] takes control of the site, Ira and Harry attempt to continue their research with the help of [[Brigadier general|Brigadier General]] Russell Woodman and [[Epidemiology|epidemiologist]] Dr. Allison Reed. However, the Army soon shuts them out, prompting Ira to go to court, where he reveals that he was discharged from the Army after an [[anthrax]] vaccine experiment went wrong, causing severe side effects in 140,000 soldiers.

Frustrated by the Army’s takeover, Ira and Harry infiltrate the base to collect a new sample, only to find that the cave now harbors a full-fledged alien [[ecosystem]], complete with tropical plants and animals. The situation escalates when a large [[Reptile|reptilian]] creature kills the owner of a local [[country club]], and other alien creatures begin attacking residents of nearby areas. The creatures, though unable to survive in Earth’s oxygen-rich environment, are rapidly evolving to adapt.

As the alien attacks become public, [[Governor]] Lewis demands answers, and Reed calculates that the alien organisms could overrun the U.S. within two months. Despite opposition, Woodman authorizes a [[napalm]] strike to destroy the meteor and its surrounding ecosystem. However, Ira realizes that heat accelerates the aliens' evolution, and that the napalm strike will only cause further problems.

In a desperate attempt to destroy the ecosystem, Ira theorizes that [[selenium]], toxic to [[nitrogen]]-based life forms, could kill the aliens. With the help of his students, Ira discovers that [[selenium sulfide]], the active ingredient in [[Head & Shoulders]] [[shampoo]], could be their solution. Armed with a fire truck filled with shampoo, the team heads to the ecosystem to carry out their plan, but the army initiates the napalm strike early, fusing the alien life into a gigantic amoeba-like creature. Regardless, the team injects the creature with the shampoo, just as it begins to multiply into two, causing it to implode.

With the alien threat neutralized, Governor Lewis declares Ira, Harry, Wayne, and Allison as heroes. Wayne is finally made a full firefighter, and Ira and Allison begin a romantic relationship, while the town returns to normal.

==Cast==
{{Cast listing|
* [[David Duchovny]] as [[Colonel]] (Ret.) Dr. Ira Kane, a college science professor and disgraced top-level army researcher
* [[Orlando Jones]] as Professor Harry Phineas Block, a college science professor and volleyball coach who aids Ira in his conquest
* [[Seann William Scott]] as Wayne Grey, an aspiring firefighter who assists Ira and Harry
* [[Julianne Moore]] as Dr. Allison Reed, a researcher employed by the [[Centers for Disease Control|CDC]]
* [[Ted Levine]] as [[Brigadier general (United States)|Brigadier General]] Russell Woodman
* [[Ethan Suplee]] as Deke Donald
* Katharine Towne as Nadine
* [[Michael Bower|Michael Ray Bower]] as  Danny Donald
* [[Pat Kilbane]] as Officer Sam Johnson
* [[Ty Burrell]] as  Colonel Flemming
* [[Gregory Itzin]] as Barry Cartwright
* [[Dan Aykroyd]] as Governor Lewis,<ref name="starlog288" /> the governor of [[Arizona]]
* Ashley Clark as [[Lieutenant]] Cryer
* [[Stephanie Hodge]] as Jill Mason
* [[Kyle Gass]] as Officer Drake
* [[Sarah Silverman]] as Denise
* [[Jerry Trainor]] as Tommy
* [[Miriam Flynn]] as Grace
* [[Steven Gilborn]] as Judge Guilder
* [[Richard Moll]] as Fire Training Inspector
* [[Tom Davis (comedian)|Tom Davis]] and Gary Kent as the Governor's Aides
* [[Mary Pat Gleason]] as a Customer
* [[John Cho]] as a Student
}}

==Production==
===Development===
''Evolution'' was based on a story by Don Jakoby.<ref>{{cite news |author=Gloria Goodale |date=June 8, 2001 |title=Don Jakoby on 'Evolution' |url=https://www.csmonitor.com/2001/0608/p19s1.html |newspaper=[[Christian Science Monitor]]}}</ref> Director [[Ivan Reitman]] loved the script but saw potential in transforming it into a successful [[Comedy film|comedy]], describing it as a "modern-day successor to ''[[Ghostbusters]]'' (1984)." Reitman hired writers [[David Diamond (screenwriter)|David Diamond]] and [[David Weissman]] to rewrite much of Jakoby's script, incorporating elements from another screenplay by [[Todd Phillips]] and [[Scot Armstrong]] about three friends hunting [[Extraterrestrial life|aliens]].<ref>{{cite web |author=Josh Weiss |date=June 8, 2019 |title=Writers of 'Evolution' reflect on project. |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/joshweiss/2019/06/08/the-writers-of-evolution-reflect-on-the-films-adaptability-18-years-later/ |website=[[Forbes]]}}</ref><ref name="starlog288">{{cite magazine |author=Ian Spelling |date=July 2001 |title=The Evolutionist |url=https://archive.org/details/starlog_magazine-288/page/n31/mode/1up |website=Starlog Magazine Issue 288 |pages=32–35 |quote=}}</ref> Initially, Jakoby was upset by the tonal shift, but Diamond and Weissman worked closely with him to ensure the final product was something he was happy with. The original script ended with a "battle of wits" between humans and an ultra-intelligent alien species, but this was replaced with the more action-packed climax seen in the final film.

Reitman had worked with David Duchovny on [[Beethoven (film)|''Beethoven'']] (1992), where [[David Duchovny]] had a small role, and envisioned him as the lead for ''Evolution'', recognizing his ability to handle comedy.<ref name="cinefantastique">{{cite magazine |author=Scott Tracy Griffin |date=August 2001 |title=Evolution |url=https://archive.org/details/cinefantastique_1970-2002/Cinefantastique%20Vol%2033%20No%204%20%28Aug%202001%29/page/n17/mode/1up |website=Cinefantastique Magazine |pages=18–21}}</ref> Duchovny discussed a role in ''[[Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith]]'' (2005) with [[George Lucas]], but turned it down in part due to his schedule shooting this movie.<ref>{{Cite web |last=ABC News |first= |title=Duchovny Snubs Lucas |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/story?id=114711&page=1 |access-date=2024-10-04 |website=ABC News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2000-08-10 |title=Duchovny Saves The World |url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/duchovny-saves-world/ |access-date=2024-10-04 |website=Empire |language=en}}</ref> He sought to distance himself from his iconic ''[[The X-Files]]'' character and saw this comedic alien film as an opportunity to transition into different roles.<ref name="Green">{{cite web |author=Willow Green |date=9 October 2000 |title=Duchovny Saves The World |url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/duchovny-saves-world/ |website=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]}}</ref><ref name="cinefantastique" /> [[Seann William Scott]] was cast after impressing Reitman with his performance in [[Road Trip (2000 film)|''Road Trip'']] (2000), another film Reitman produced. Scott beat out [[Jerry Trainor]], who was given a smaller role.<ref name="starlog288" /> [[Michael J. Fox]] was also offered a lead role but declined due to his ongoing battle with [[Parkinson's disease]].<ref name="starlog288" />

===Filming===
Shooting for ''Evolution'' took place from October 19, 2000, to February 7, 2001, in [[Page, Arizona]], and around the [[Greater Los Angeles]] area, particularly in the [[Santa Clarita, California]] region. Scenes set at the fictional Glen Canyon Community College were filmed at [[California State University, Fullerton]].<ref name="cinefantastique" /> The shopping mall sequences were shot at [[Hawthorne Plaza]] in [[Hawthorne, California]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Evolution shopping mall location |url=http://www.themoviemap.com/location/index.php?id=378}}</ref> The first scene filmed was the monster attack on two elderly women. Studio filming occurred at [[Downey Studios]] and [[Raleigh Studios]]<!-- where there was fire on set (page 19) -->.<ref name="starlog287">{{cite magazine |author=Bill Warren |date=June 2001 |title=Theories of Evolution |url=https://archive.org/details/starlog_magazine-287/page/n61/mode/1up |website=Starlog Magazine Issue 288 |pages=62–66 |quote=}}</ref><ref name="cinefantastique" />

===Visual effects===
[[Tippett Studio]] was tasked with designing over 18 distinct alien creatures for ''Evolution'', ensuring each had a unique appearance. [[Sony Pictures Imageworks]] handled the [[Computer-generated imagery|CGI]] animation for several key sequences, including the alien [[flatworm]] and the leech alien from the pool, which was designed by Peter Konig. They also created the animation for the alien mosquito moving inside Harry's body. Additional visual effects were provided by [[Pacific Data Images]]. Studio ADI was responsible for designing the primate-like alien creatures featured in the film.<ref name="monsterlegacy">{{Cite web |author=omega |date=November 23, 2017 |title=Darwinian Nightmare |url=https://monsterlegacy.net/2017/11/23/evolution-aliens-monsters-tippett-adi/}}</ref>

==Music==
The film's music score was composed by [[John Powell (composer)|John Powell]], conducted by [[Gavin Greenaway]], and performed by the [[Hollywood Symphony Orchestra]]. A soundtrack album was released on June 12, 2001 and is available on [[Varèse Sarabande]].<ref>[http://www.soundtrackinfo.com/tracks/evolution/ Evolution Soundtrack] SoundtrackINFO. Retrieved Dec. 27, 2013</ref> The following songs appear throughout the film, often used diegetically.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Title !! Artist !! Written by
|-
| "Bombshell" || [[Powerman 5000]] || [[Mike Tempesta]] and [[Spider One|Michael Cummings]]
|-
| [[Ornament & Crime|"Out With a Bang]]” || [[Self (band)|Self]] || [[Matt Mahaffey]]
|-
| "Anyway the Main Thing Is" || [[Patty Larkin]] || Patty Larkin
|-
| "Borderline" || [[Buckcherry]] || [[Josh Todd (musician)|Josh Todd]], Jonathan 'JB' Brighman, [[Keith Nelson (musician)|Keith Nelson]] and [[Devon Glenn]]
|-
| "Baby, Come On Over" || [[Samantha Mumba]] || [[Samantha Mumba]], [[Arnthor Birgisson]] and [[Anders Bagge]]
|-
| [[Brassy (band)#singles|"Work It Out"]] || [[Brassy (band)|Brassy]] || Muffin Spencer, Stefan Gordon, Jonny Barrington and Karen Frost
|-
| "[[Makin' Whoopee]]" || [[Walter Donaldson (songwriter)|Walter Donaldson]], [[Gus Kahn]] || [[Walter Donaldson (songwriter)|Walter Donaldson]], [[Gus Kahn]]
|-
| "Parking Lot" || [[Morgan Nagler]] || [[Morgan Nagler]]
|-
| "[[You Are So Beautiful]]" || [[Bruce Fisher]], [[Billy Preston]] || [[Bruce Fisher]], [[Billy Preston]]
|-
| "[[Play That Funky Music]]" || [[Wild Cherry (band)|Wild Cherry]] || [[Rob Parissi]]
|}

==Reception==
On the [[review aggregator]] [[Rotten Tomatoes]], ''Evolution'' holds an approval rating of 44% based on 140 reviews, with an average score of 4.90/10. The website's critical consensus states, "Director [[Ivan Reitman|Reitman]] tries to remake ''[[Ghostbusters]]'', but his efforts are largely unsuccessful because the movie has too many comedic misfires."<ref>{{cite web |title=Evolution |url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1108206-evolution |access-date=December 21, 2022 |work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]}}</ref> On [[Metacritic]], the film has a score of 40 based on 32 reviews, indicating "mixed or average reviews."<ref>{{cite web |title=Evolution |url=http://www.metacritic.com/movie/evolution |access-date=January 14, 2014 |work=Metacritic}}</ref> Audiences surveyed by [[CinemaScore]] gave the film a grade of B+ on an A to F scale.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cinemascore |url=https://www.cinemascore.com/publicsearch/index/title/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181220122629/https://www.cinemascore.com/publicsearch/index/title/ |archive-date=2018-12-20}}</ref>

[[Todd McCarthy]] of [[Variety (magazine)|''Variety'']] called the film "a consistently amusing action romp."<ref>{{cite web |last=McCarthy |first=Todd |date=7 June 2001 |title=Evolution |url=https://variety.com/2001/film/reviews/evolution-2-1200468883/ |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref> [[Roger Ebert]] of the ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'' gave it 2.5 out of 4 stars, stating, "It's not good, but it's nowhere near as bad as most recent comedies; it has real laughs, but it misses just as many real opportunities."<ref name="Ebert">{{cite web |last=Ebert |first=Roger |author-link=Roger Ebert |date=June 8, 2001 |title=Evolution movie review & film summary (2001) |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/evolution-2001 |website=[[Chicago Sun-Times]]}}</ref> [[A. O. Scott]] of ''[[The New York Times]]'' wrote, "The movie itself evolves in reverse, starting life as a moderately clever grab bag of high-concept noodling and half-witty badinage before descending into the primordial ooze of explosions and elaborate lower-intestinal gags."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Scott |first1=A. O. |author1-link=A. O. Scott |date=8 June 2001 |title=FILM REVIEW; It's Big, It's Bad, It's Mutating Protoplasm |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/06/08/movies/film-review-it-s-big-it-s-bad-it-s-mutating-protoplasm.html |website=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>

==Home media==
''Evolution'' was released on [[VHS]] and [[DVD]] on December 26, 2001.<ref>{{cite web |last=Saccone |first=Melinda |date=December 7, 2001 |title=Rental Spending Down for Week Ended Dec. 3, But December Holds Gifts |url=http://www.hive4media.com/news/html/Industry_Article.cfm?article_id=2238 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011223115505/http://www.hive4media.com/news/html/Industry_Article.cfm?article_id=2238 |archive-date=December 23, 2001 |access-date=September 24, 2019 |website=[[hive4media.com]]}}</ref> The film later received a [[Blu-ray]] release in the United States on November 23, 2021, by [[Paramount Home Entertainment]]. A separate Blu-ray release of the Columbia Pictures version was made available in the [[United Kingdom]] on April 22, 2024, through 88 Films.

==Television series==
{{Main|Alienators: Evolution Continues}}
''Evolution'' was adapted into an animated series titled ''[[Alienators: Evolution Continues]]'', which aired on [[Fox Kids]] from 2001 to 2002. The series loosely followed the film's premise, expanding on the storyline with new characters and alien creatures, but aimed at a younger audience.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Wikiquote|Evolution (film)}}
* {{IMDb title|0251075}}

{{Ivan Reitman}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:2000s American films]]
[[Category:2000s English-language films]]
[[Category:2000s monster movies]]
[[Category:2000s science fiction comedy films]]
[[Category:2001 comedy films]]
[[Category:2001 films]]
[[Category:Films about alien invasions]]
[[Category:American monster movies]]
[[Category:American science fiction comedy films]]
[[Category:Columbia Pictures films]]
[[Category:DreamWorks Pictures films]]
[[Category:Films about evolution]]
[[Category:Films adapted into television shows]]
[[Category:Films directed by Ivan Reitman]]
[[Category:Films produced by Ivan Reitman]]
[[Category:Films produced by Daniel Goldberg]]
[[Category:Films scored by John Powell]]
[[Category:Films set in Arizona]]
[[Category:The Montecito Picture Company films]]
[[Category:English-language science fiction comedy films]]
[[Category:Kaiju films]]
[[Category:Films about meteoroids]]