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 meteor crash in Arizona, only to discover that it harbors rapidly evolving extraterrestrial life forms.
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 microorganisms that evolve rapidly, condensing millions of years of evolution into mere hours.
As the U.S. Army takes control of the site, Ira and Harry attempt to continue their research with the help of Brigadier General Russell Woodman and epidemiologist Dr. Allison Reed.
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 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.
[6] 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.
[3] 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.
The website's critical consensus states, "Director Reitman tries to remake Ghostbusters, but his efforts are largely unsuccessful because the movie has too many comedic misfires.
"[18] 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.