Grade: B-

Verdict: Not as dumb as you might think.

Details: Starring David Duchovny, Orlando Jones, Julianne Moore and Seann William Scott. Directed by Ivan Reitman. Rated PG-13 for crude and sexual humor and for sci-fi action. One hour, 43 minutes.

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Review: Smack dab in the middle of an endless parade of brainless, gross-joke comedies (you mean you haven't seen "The Animal" yet?) comes "Evolution."

Funny thing about this flick - it's not nearly as gross as we're getting used to. (Lord, help us if we ever start to stomach the likes of "Freddy Got Fingered"). And not nearly as dunderheaded.

"Evolution" actually tries to make sense even when it's at its most preposterous.

A meteorite crashes onto Earth, bringing with it unusual living, one-celled thingees. The darned things then start to evolve - slowly, methodically and with some connection to the theory of evolution - into flesh-eating behemoths that will eventually trample the planet.

Maybe you aren't laughing now, but "Evolution" is packed with talented actors - David Duchovny, Julianne Moore, Seann William Scott, Dan Aykroyd and, especially, Orlando Jones. It's also got a fairly nimble script that, at times, will make you think of moments in "Ghostbusters" and "Stripes." That should be no surprise seeing as how "Evolution" is directed by Ivan Reitman, the man behind both of those flicks and producer of "Animal House."

In "Evolution," as the aliens get bigger, the actors' characters get more flippant, more Bill Murray-esque.

Duchovny and Jones play community college professors who investigate the crash site. Moore is the pratfalling CDC scientist also looking into the creature phenomenon. And Scott, whose built his own fan base from films such as "American Pie" and the Atlanta-filmed "Road Trip," portrays the wannabe firefighter who first encounters our trinket from space.

Comedy is clearly Jones' element. He provides a spirited counter to Duchovny's low-key, but effective, lead. Moore's pratfalls become more of a nuisance than a howl (they couldn't find more for one of Hollywood's most gifted actresses to do than fall down?). And Scott's doofus character is spot on.

"Evolution" has at least a handful of gut-busting moments. But though it's trying hard the rest of the time, it never quite measures up to "Ghostbusters."

— Bob Longino, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution