Theory of Evolution proved
by Michael Kraft, reporter

    The world is under attack by aliens and only a rag-tag group of heroes can save the planet. Sound familiar?

    Well, it’s the plot to the new sci-fi film, Evolution.

    Directed by Ivan Reitman of Ghostbusters fame, the film is a great blend of science fiction and comedy that should please summer audiences.

    David Duchovny and Orlando Jones star as two small-time science and geology teachers at a small Arizona junior college.

    The two discover a meteorite that falls to Earth and almost kills Sean William Scott, a firefighter wannabe practicing rescues in the desert.

    After taking samples and returning to their lab, they discover that cells taken from the meteorite are growing and evolving at a breakneck pace.

    They want to keep the discovery quiet so they can reap all the benefit.

    However, they soon discover that the Army and the Center for Disease Control have gotten involved and are cutting them out entirely.

    Julianne Moore has a good turn as a CDC agent who thinks Duchovny and Jones are simply yahoos who shouldn’t be taken seriously.

    The alien creatures soon get loose and adapt themselves to our atmosphere.

    A race ensues to make sure the aliens don’t spread all over the United States.

    The plot ideas are formulaic, but the writers injected enough comedic elements to lift this film above the level of cheesy sci-fi.

    Jones is an actor known for his comedic work both on the silver screen in The Replacements and Double Take as well as 7-UP commercials. He and Duchovny work very well off each other.

    The relationship is not the typical “straight guy/funny guy” as they both have funny moments, but Jones is funnier.

    Duchovny fans may think that since this is an alien sci-fi film, they may see a bit of Fox Mulder, Duchovny’s X-Files character. Thankfully, he steers clear of this trap and shows that he definitely can act beyond the X-Files.

    Scott is more of the comic relief as the eager young would-be fireman who works at a country club to make ends meet.

    When a country club member is eaten by something living in a water trap, Scott catches the beast and gives it to Duchovny and Jones, thus becoming part of the team.

    Dan Ackroyd is excellent in a small role as a governor caught in the position of trying to contain the aliens while not ruffling any feathers.

    The film’s ending is predictable: the stereotypical Army general calls for guns and bombs against the aliens while the small band of heroes has devised its own method of attack, and each group must see who can strike first and who is correct.

    This film is a good showcase for Duchovny’s acting abilities and should help propel him into films now that he’s out of the X-Files.

    Jones is great playing off Duchovny, and the humor carries well. Scott seems to be typecasting himself into parts that are humorous, but have zero depth, as in American Pie and Road Trip.

    Moore was good, and after being in some serious films like Boogie Nights and Hannibal, it’s nice to see her cut loose and get a little goofy.

    It’s not arty; it’s not advanced; it won’t challenge one’s way of thinking, but Evolution is a worthy entry into the summer flick arena.

    Spend five bucks and get entertained for a couple of hours. Who could ask for anything else?