 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Evolution
- Review Date: May 18, 2003
- PG-13
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- 2001
Common Sense Media says
Uneven and unfocused, but has some inspired silliness.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
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.
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?
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.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
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?
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Adult
April 9, 2008
AGE
The Truth is Out There
It was like watching the Brady Bunch episode of X-Files. Funny and with aliens!
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Adult
April 9, 2008
AGE
Spook
Great parody about evolution in a scifi setting
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Teen, 13 years old
January 15, 2009
AGE
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.
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Teen, 13 years old
April 9, 2008
AGE
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.
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Adult
October 10, 2010
AGE
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
What other families should know:
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Kid, 10 years old
July 11, 2010
AGE
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+
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Teen, 17 years old
August 21, 2012
AGE
Some rude bits but nothing a 12 year old couldn't see
I watched this when I was 9 and loved it even if I didn't get all the jokes I found it really funny and I would say this movie is fine for 12+ some parts may freak a child out but none of those parts are meant to be really scary its just meant to be funny and taken lightly. Some of the langeage is a bit to much for a movie thats rated PG but nothing bad. Fun film. It is sexual sometimes I will say but nothing a 12/13 year old will take notice off.
What other families should know:
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Teen, 15 years old
February 26, 2012
AGE
this extremely funny gross out comedy is meant for older kids
this alien comedy is extremely funny. but some adult humor
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| Studio: | DreamWorks |
| Director: | Ivan Reitman |
| Cast: | David Duchovny, Julianne Moore, Orlando Jones, Seann William Scott |
| Genre: | Action/Adventure |
| Run time: | 101 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | June 8, 2001 |
| DVD release date: | December 26, 2001 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | crude and sexual humor, and for sci-fi action |
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