Evolution (PG-13, 2001)

common sense media says

Uneven and unfocused, but has some inspired silliness.


parents & educators say
  • 33% say violence is an issue
  • 33% say sexual content is an issue

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this movie has some strong language and very raunchy toilet humor, with two extended sequences featuring rectal probes. There's sexual humor and mild sexual situations. Characters drink and smoke. Characters are in sci-fi peril, mostly comic. Guns and shooting are equated with manliness. A woman shoplifts and another holds up a sign that says "I can't die a virgin." Female and black characters are smart, brave, and accomplished, and inter-racial colleagues have a strong friendship. But there's an unpleasant joke about how all a female character needs is "a good humping," and, to make things worse, she overhears the comment and is insulted not because it is sexist but because it implies that she is not sexual.

Violence: Comic peril, some gross-out moments.
Sex: Mild references.
Language: Some strong language and gross potty humor.
Consumerism: Not applicable.

More on Evolution

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about evolution and natural selection, and about how Ira got in to trouble and how he reacted to it. Why didn't he care more about his job? What would happen if aliens did come to Earth?

What's the story?

What's the story?
In EVOLUTION, community college professors Ira (David Duchovney) and Harry (Orlando Jones) discover that a mysterious meteor is covered with one-celled alien creatures who can accomplish evolutionary development in days that took millions of years on earth. They try to keep it to themselves, hoping for fame and fortune. But the government steps in and takes over. A nasty general and a beautiful doctor named Allison (Julianne Moore) are now in charge. Dan Ackroyd plays the governor who is willing to nuke his state to get rid of the aliens. With the help of a would-be fireman (Seann William Scott) and some overweight students with dandruff-free hair, Ira and Harry manage to save the world.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Evolution never really takes off. There are some good moments, though, and moments of inspired silliness, like Duchovney and Jones singing "Play That Funky Music White Boy." Jones gives so much zest to weak material that one longs to see him in something better. But neither the sci-fi nor the comedy are strong enough to sustain the movie.

No one expects or even wants a movie like this to make sense, but it is so sloppy that it is actually distracting. And even the good guys are not that good, caring more about credit and getting out of Arizona than about science or protecting people from the aliens. It is interesting how often someone in the movie tells someone else to focus -- that would have been good advice for the director and screenwriter.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: DreamWorks
Director: Ivan Reitman
Cast: David Duchovny, Julianne Moore, Orlando Jones, Seann William Scott
Genre: Action/Adventure
Run time: 101 minutes
Theatrical release: June 8, 2001
DVD release: December 26, 2001
MPAA Rating: PG-13
MPAA explanation: crude and sexual humor, and for sci-fi action

This review was written by Nell Minow
 
 

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What parents & educators say

13
Based on 3 parent & educator reviews:
  • 33% say violence is an issue
  • 33% say sexual content is an issue
  • 33% say language is an issue

Most useful reviews by all members

m1
teen, 16 years old
 
Mediocre, Unwatchable, and NOT for Anyone Under 12 or 13
This movie, as good as it seems, is very hard to watch and gross. Middle schoolers and older should watch this, and here's why: Sex(yellow): some kissing; references to sexual and asexual reproduction in funny ways; some implied making out; some short scenes of mild sex-related actions. Violence(yellow): many gross out scenes involving worms and aliens. Language(yellow): the "d"- word is used.

 
The Truth is Out There
It was like watching the Brady Bunch episode of X-Files. Funny and with aliens!

masterchief117
kid, 12 years old
 
a really funny movie
a funny movie. some sexual jokes and some language like the s-word is used around 4-5 times one d-word d**n is used a few times one b***h and some milder stuff. a alien rampages threw a shopping mall it picks up a women and flys around with her(shes not hurt). the shopping mall alien is shot with a shotgun a few times(brief no blood). a few aliens suffocate it can be a bit scary to young viewers. aliens corpses are seen it can scare young viewers. an alien bursts green goo flys everywhere. an alien flys into a mans body you can see it moving around in his body. a gorilla like alien is shot some blue blood can be seen. i dont know what csm is saying about the 14+ thing it think ist around 10+

Jackson
teen, 17 years old
 
This movie was scarey because of alien creatures that killed people.
This movie was scarey because alien creatures killed people, but they were not that real looking so it was easy to get over being scared. The movie was also funny because of the way the actors joked together. It is an ok movie, but not the best movie I've ever seen.

 
Hilarious sci-fi action comedy too gross for some
This is a great movie. Great actors, well-writen, and action-packed. Despite frequent gross-out moments (which aren't my appeal), this movie keeps the audience entertained, at least as far as I know (since I am the only person writing this review). Parents: There are some considerably scary and gross scenes in the movie, plus sexual references and innuendos, and language. Bottom Line: Anyone looking for a good time has found it, unless you cannot stomach gross-out moments. Thanks for reading! - Movie Man

Ashnak
adult
 
Spook
Great parody about evolution in a scifi setting

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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
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