Year: 2001
Runtime: 101 min
Language: Hungarian
Director: Ivan Reitman
Budget: $80M
A meteor's impact unleashes a rapidly evolving extraterrestrial organism, posing a dire threat to humanity. To combat this alien force, a diverse group assembles: a determined firefighting cadet, two insightful professors, and a gifted scientist. They must work together to find a way to halt the organism’s spread and save the planet from being overtaken.
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Read the complete plot breakdown of Evolution (2001), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
A mysterious meteor crashes in the arid landscape near Glen Canyon, Arizona, creating chaos for many. Fireman trainee Wayne Grey is caught off-guard when the meteor lands directly on his car while he is conducting fire safety drills in the desert cabin.
In the wake of the crash, Ira Kane, a biology professor at Glen Canyon Community College, navigates the challenges of teaching students who fail to grasp the simplest of concepts, declaring Deke and Danny as the least knowledgeable in his class. However, the following day, Ira and his geology colleague, Harry Block, head out to investigate the incident after receiving urgent news about the meteor landing. They’re joined by Nadine, a determined student seeking extra credit, who aspires to become Miss Arizona while getting into nursing school.
As they arrive at the crash site, Wayne reveals that the meteor has submerged into a network of underground tunnels, with the local sheriff, Officer Drake, noting its remarkable depth of 80 feet. The duo collects a sample of the glowing blue liquid, discovering it contains alien microorganisms that evolve at an astonishing pace, multiplying into multi-celled organisms within mere hours.
Ira and Harry’s excitement escalates as they witness the extraordinary quick evolution that would typically require millions of years on Earth. Eager to maintain control of their discovery, they plan to keep their work away from government oversight. Meanwhile, Wayne struggles during his fire training, failing a critical test and working a second job as a pool manager, where he stumbles upon strange creatures lurking in the water supply room.
As military forces led by General Russell Woodman and Colonel Flemming arrive, Ira and Harry are determined to stake their claim to the research. They face off in court against Dr. Allison Reed, whose nonchalance about their scientific breakthroughs infuriates them. Amidst unexpected revelations about Ira’s controversial past involving army experiments, alien life forms start breaching the surface.
The professors and Wayne make startling discoveries of bizarre creatures that indicate the aliens’ desperate attempts to adapt to Earth. As they venture deeper into a valley filled with monstrous entities struggling to breathe oxygen, chaos ensues when one newly-emerged creature causes panic at a mall. Wayne ingeniously uses the mall’s sound system to lure the alien in order to neutralize the threat.
However, with the escalating intensity of the situation, it becomes a race against time as officials plot to contain the alien outbreak. They find themselves in a frantic fight against alien primates and the impending napalm strike orchestrated by Woodman, who is intent on eradicating the problem.
With ingenious teamwork, the group employs selenium, discovered to be poisonous to the nitrogen-based aliens, and concocts a plan to use Head & Shoulders shampoo as a weapon against the growing alien menace. They overcome obstacles, with the battle culminating in a daring maneuver to eliminate the rapidly evolving alien mass threatening to engulf the entire nation.
In a moment of triumph, after successfully bringing down the colossal organism, a grateful Governor Lewis hails Ira, Harry, Wayne, and Allison as heroes. The story wraps up with a light note, showcasing Ira and Allison sharing a moment of romance amidst a chaotic backdrop, while Wayne celebrates his newfound recognition as a firefighter. The credits roll with a humorous commercial featuring the trio, emphasizing the bizarre yet thrilling escapade they embarked upon.
Last Updated: October 27, 2024 at 16:53
Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.
Fast-paced adventures where clever humor meets extraterrestrial threats.Fans of Evolution will enjoy these movies that combine alien invasion plots with constant comedy. If you liked the fast-paced action and clever dialogue of Evolution, this list features similar stories where humor and sci-fi thrills collide.
These stories typically involve an otherworldly problem—often an alien incursion or a bizarre scientific phenomenon—that is confronted by a quirky or intelligent team. The narrative unfolds through a series of escalating, often absurd, events, resolved with cleverness and humor rather than sheer brute force.
They are grouped by a shared commitment to lighthearted fun, blending genuine sci-fi stakes with consistent comedic dialogue and situational humor, resulting in an energetic and entertaining experience.
Ragtag teams defeat giant threats with everyday ingenuity.This list features movies similar to Evolution, where a group of underdogs uses unconventional science and teamwork to save the day. If you enjoyed seeing everyday ingenuity triumph over a giant threat, you'll find more thrilling adventures here.
The plot centers on a seemingly unstoppable force that is eventually defeated through lateral thinking. The heroes are often dismissed by official authorities but prove their worth by identifying a simple, overlooked weakness and exploiting it with an inventive, low-tech method.
They share a satisfying narrative pattern of intellectual triumph, celebrating cleverness over power. The focus on teamwork, resourcefulness, and a 'Eureka!' moment creates a uniquely gratifying and upbeat viewing experience.
Don't stop at just watching — explore Evolution in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Evolution is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Track the full timeline of Evolution with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Evolution. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Evolution that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.
Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Evolution: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.
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