I really wasn't that interested in EVOLVER because of the very few reviews here and of its direct-to-video feel. However, being the maximum expert on this sort of movies last May I finally tried it and to my surprise I nearly loved it.
Kyle Baxter (Ethan Embry) is great in playing a shooter game in virtual reality named Evolver, and his dream is to make the record so that he can win a real version of his nemesis, a multi-capacitated robot named Evolver (voice by William Macy). After Kyle's attempt fails he and his friend go in the control room for scrambling the scores so that Kyle is the winner and can have the robot. The robot has some instructions: when it's on the people have to shoot to the robot and he'll try to defend himself shooting blanks and his actions are recorded for the company so that they can monitor the robot's actions. Kyle begins to use the robots for doing some pranks such as spying on the girls in the locker room and chase the school's bullies. And just when Evolver has a struggle with a bully it's hit so hard that doesn't follow his original program anymore and when it's on again, he kills the bully. More the time passes, more Evolver becomes dangerous and a menace for everybody, but Kyle with the help of Jamie and her sisters manage to defeat the robot in a surprise ending.
I think that this is a comedy that would appeal mostly to folks with wicked humour like me. There wasn't a moment where I didn't felt on the edge on my seat and then suddenly laughing for the scary things the robot did. The acting was ok by our young leads, and William Macy must have had the time of his life when he had to dub Evolver. Among the funniest moments: the aforementioned one with the bully (Evolver throws it from the stairs), when Jamie's little sister plays with Evolver and he starts throwing knives and forks but she always manages to avoid them, and before the end credits when Evolver seemed to be dead but it woke up again in the company's truck meaning that there could have been a sequel, and in hindsight it's a shame they never did because it would have been great.
A must see for fans of forgotten 1990s comedies and also for folks with wicked sense humour because they might be the best audience for it. Lots of edgy moments and lots of funny moments... perfect also for a family evening with a movie.
Kyle Baxter (Ethan Embry) is great in playing a shooter game in virtual reality named Evolver, and his dream is to make the record so that he can win a real version of his nemesis, a multi-capacitated robot named Evolver (voice by William Macy). After Kyle's attempt fails he and his friend go in the control room for scrambling the scores so that Kyle is the winner and can have the robot. The robot has some instructions: when it's on the people have to shoot to the robot and he'll try to defend himself shooting blanks and his actions are recorded for the company so that they can monitor the robot's actions. Kyle begins to use the robots for doing some pranks such as spying on the girls in the locker room and chase the school's bullies. And just when Evolver has a struggle with a bully it's hit so hard that doesn't follow his original program anymore and when it's on again, he kills the bully. More the time passes, more Evolver becomes dangerous and a menace for everybody, but Kyle with the help of Jamie and her sisters manage to defeat the robot in a surprise ending.
I think that this is a comedy that would appeal mostly to folks with wicked humour like me. There wasn't a moment where I didn't felt on the edge on my seat and then suddenly laughing for the scary things the robot did. The acting was ok by our young leads, and William Macy must have had the time of his life when he had to dub Evolver. Among the funniest moments: the aforementioned one with the bully (Evolver throws it from the stairs), when Jamie's little sister plays with Evolver and he starts throwing knives and forks but she always manages to avoid them, and before the end credits when Evolver seemed to be dead but it woke up again in the company's truck meaning that there could have been a sequel, and in hindsight it's a shame they never did because it would have been great.
A must see for fans of forgotten 1990s comedies and also for folks with wicked sense humour because they might be the best audience for it. Lots of edgy moments and lots of funny moments... perfect also for a family evening with a movie.