Evolution

Ivan Reitman was for a long time the king of the comedic blockbuster, and his repertoire could confirm this: Meatballs, Stripes, Ghostbusters, Twins and yes even Kindergarten Cop. But it all slowed down after he made the terminator pregnant. So it was considered to be a humongous deal for some that he returned with a Ghostbusters alike fantasy film, aptly named Evolution. Starring David Duchovny, Orlando Jones, Julianne Moore and Seann William Scott, it was a hit and miss affair that didn't fully re inject his blockbuster career.

Luckily for most of us, John Powell was on board to continue his blockbuster repertoire. Because due to Chicken Run and Shrek, Mr. Powell could do no harm anymore, especially if he was going to compose something adventurous and fun. So Evolution was already before the CD release a much anticipated "couldn't fail" product. But was it that after the listen as well?

At first, Evolution doesn't win you over immediately. The X-Files creepy like "The Meteor", the guitar meets the trumpets in "The Army Arrives", the over exaggerating pompous theme in "The Ira Kane?", and finally the first sign of the ever so fun main theme in "Fruit Basket for Russell Woodman", the tracks deliver the fun but lack the time to win you over.

Due to the short running time of most of the cues, the music can't create an impact on you, no matter how fun the intentions of Powell's music are. The first development is discovered in the diverse "The Forest" and through the lovely waltz in "The Cave Waltz", underscoring the discovery of all the unique diverse creatures.

Things go then completely awry when those creatures start to misbehave. First in "Cutie Pie" (watch out for a Danny Elfman effect), later in the frenetic end of "Dino Valley" and finally in the exciting "Monitors Out". But in between all this, you nonetheless receive the first example of that expected "couldn't fail" attitude, namely "The Mall Chase". It is here that Powell finally evolves to the fun composer we know him to be. Stating the army theme and finally the main theme in blazing form, it is here where you receive the fun that evolves your fun-o-meter.

Luckily there's room for romance too, even if for one time in "Room For one More". But who needs romance when you have "The Fire Truck", delivering a totally bombastic version of the main theme. The bombastic sound continues in the frenetic "The Amoeba Emerges", leaving a trail behind of destruction and a window of opportunity for someone to crawl into. It is then also totally fitting you receive excellent adventurous music (with the main theme) in "To go Where no Man Has Gone Before" and "Our Heroes".

The problem of Evolution? Perhaps too many short tracks, or perhaps too much going on. But why talk about negative points if Evolution is just there to prove one thing, namely that John Powell is a guarantee for enjoyment. Evolution is fun, over the top and slightly ballsy, creating dissonance, energy and amusement all in one. Meaning, it creates a smile on your face, just like the cover promised.

Tracklisting

1. The Meteor (0.53)
2. Cells Divide (1.23)
3. In the Hall by the Pool (1.42)
4. The Army Arrives (1.08)
5. The Ira Kane? (1.12)
6. Fruit Basket for Russell Woodman (0.44)
7. The Water Hazard (0.46)
8. Burgled (1.14)
9. The Forest (2.11)
10. The Cave Waltz (1.02)
11. Blue Fly (1.27)
12. Cutie Pie (2.18)
13. Animal Attack (1.10)
14. Dino Valley (2.04)
15. The Mall Chase (4.31) Excellent track
16. Monitors Out (2.40)
17. Room For one More (1.28)
18. Fire (0.42)
19. Selenium (1.08)
20. The Fire Truck (2.29) Excellent track
21. The Amoeba Emerges (2.14)
22. To go Where no Man Has Gone Before (3.28)
23. Our Heroes (2.22) Excellent track

Total Length: 40.29