Evan Almighty

Starring Steve Carell, Lauren Graham and Morgan Freeman

I wouldn't normally watch this type of film, a sequel to a Jim Carrey film without Jim Carrey (though I can't say I have a high opinion of Jim Carrey sequels with Carrey either). But Curtis saw it with a friend last summer and said he was pleasently surprised. He wasn't expecting to enjoy it either, but did. So, it being one of the few choices of an OnDemand movie appropriate for the whole family, we punched it on. And it wasn't bad.

This movie doesn't have the exact same premise as Bruce Almighty. In fact, this sequel has more in common with the Tim Allen Christmas comedy, The Santa Clause, than it does with the Carrey predecessor. Evan is a newly-elected Congressman and prays to God to be able to change the world. God (Morgan Freeman again) answers his prayer by commanding him to build an ark, like Noah. With a great deal of resistance, he finally gives in. God supplies the materials and instructions, Evan builds the ark, with occasional help from his family.

Much like in The Santa Clause, God starts making Evan "look the part" of Noah. He grows a long beard that instantly grows back whenever he tries to shave it off. His hair grows long too, and won't stay trimmed. God cajoles Evan into wearing prophet-like robes. But to the producer's credit, they do this in such a way as to not make it feel like we were watching a Santa Clause rerun. It is a similar premise, but handled differently so it feels fresh.

But unlike Bruce, Evan doesn't gain any god-like powers and isn't able to command the elements or force his pets into using toilets. On this score, the title is a total misnomer—Evan isn't almighty. He does have some influence on some animals, much like Noah must've had, but that's it. He's not almighty by any stretch of the imagination. The only thing I can reason is that they used the name as a marketing gimmick to tie it in with Carrey's successful film. To their credit, at least Freeman reprised his role as God.

Is this a franchise in the making? Will there be a whole slew of _ _ _ Almighty films? I doubt it, but I wouldn't put much past Hollywood. If it has dollar signs in it, it's better than an even bet that they'll persue it.

I've got to give credit to the cast of this film. Steve Carell perfectly fits the part of the reluctant Noah nee Congressman. He just looks and sounds like a politician, one trying to do the right thing. And Lauren Graham is perfectly cast as his long-suffering wife. And the supporting cast is fine as well, though there are none that are particularly outstanding, such as xxxx as Johnny in 198x's Airplane!.

So, if you're looking for something light and breezy, something the whole family can enjoy, this film should do you fine. It doesn't have any inappropriate content, but that doesn't keep it from being funny and enjoyable. Though it's not going to win anyone an Oscar (though I've seen some pretty sucky films win them), this film is worth the few bucks to watch it via OnDemand or Netflix (or Blockbuster). It's a cute, light, enjoyable film.

External links

• Evan Almighty on Wikipedia
• Evan Almighty at the Internet Movie Database