Evolution (2001) - 88 Films

[DaveSimonH]

Release date: 22nd April 2024
88 Films, Amazon, HMV, Rarewaves

The director of Ghostbusters and Ghostbusters II takes you on an evolutionary roller coaster ride with big laughs and even bigger special effects in EVOLUTION. Starring David Duchovny (The X Files, Return to Me), Orlando Jones (Say It Isn’t So, Double Take), Seann William Scott (Road Trip, American Pie) and two time Academy Award®* nominee Julianne Moore (Hannibal, Magnolia, The End of the Affair).Community college teachers Ira Kane (Duchovny) and Harry Block (Jones) are inadvertently called to the site of a meteorite crash where they discover a variety of single-celled alien life forms. It seems that Earth’s newest inhabitants hitched a ride on the meteorite and are quickly making themselves at home. Government scientist Allison Reed (Moore) gets involved and goes head to head with the local scientific duo. But when the alien cells begin evolving at the speed of sound and the monstrous creatures they become threaten the future of the human race, they find themselves playing on the same team. It’s Darwin’s biggest nightmare and survival of the fittest in the craziest, funniest, wildest comedy of 2001!

• High Definition (1080p) Blu-ray Presentation in 1.85:1 Aspect Ratio
• 5.1 DTS-HD MA Soundtrack
• 2.0 LPCM Soundtrack
• Optional English SDH
• HBO First Look Featurette
• Original Trailer
• Stills Gallery
• Slipcover in first pressing
• Reversible sleeve/cover with alt artwork

[DaveSimonH]

I got 'Evolution' in yesterday and watched it last night. As I suspected, PQ wise its similar to the 2021 US release (site review here). Here's a comparison of the US Paramount release vs UK 88 Films (Caps-a-holic vs my PotPlayer captures):


Example US screen

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v UK screen

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Set of eight screenshots to compare here:
https://imgur.com/a/Cr82Nfc

Picture quality is basically identical, save for the UK release using the original 1.85:1 aspect ratio. What isn't identical however is the included extras, UK release is lacking unfortunately.

UK Extras:

"HBO First Look: The Evolution of Evolution" 2001 TV episode (15:02)
Photo Gallery (1:44)
Original Trailer (2:15)

US extras:

Audio commentary by director Ivan Reitman, actors David Duchovny, Sean William Scott, and Orlando Jones (2001)
Extras:"HBO First Look: The Evolution of Evolution" 2001 TV episode (15:02)
"Visual Effects" 2001 featurette (10:15)
Deleted Scenes (14:25)
Storyboards (storyboards only and the storyboards juxtaposed with the finished scenes)

Even the audio & subtitles options are lacking, the US release includes English subs, English HoH/SDH subs and (if the dvdcompare info is correct) an English Audio Descriptive audio track. UK disc is English HoH/SDH only + English stereo audio (though for clarity, both have a English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 tracks).
I suspect the issue is that 88 Films was working with the previously BBFC rated extras from the DVD. But my response to that is, if you're going to charge a more premium price, £16.99, you'd better be offering more than a slipcover + reverse artwork to warrant the cost.

My suggestion would be to wait for a price drop (I got it during the Prime Day sale) and if you can find a US DVD cheap, that's a good option as it seems to have all the US BD extras + some text pages about the cast, crew & production.