Directed by Tom Shadyac Starring: Steve Carell, Morgan Freeman, Lauren Graham, John Goodman, John Michael Higgins, Jonah Hill, Molly Shannon Review by Popcorn Boys
SYNOPSIS:
God contacts Congressman Evan Baxter and tells him to build an ark in preparation for a great flood.
REVIEW
When we last saw Evan Baxter (Steve Carell) he was being tormented by Jim Carrey in "Bruce Almighty." Since the, time has passed and Evan has moved on to bigger / better things. He's a newly elected Congressman who wants to do right and change the world; but when GOD himself (Morgan Freeman) shows up and instructs him to build and ark, Evan has a really hard time believing what's happening, as does his lovely wife (Lauren Graham) and their kids. They all think he's having a mental breakdown or something… but GOD will not be denied and keeps poking and prodding Evan until he accepts what he's been asked to do. As the family tries to cope and Evan tries not to lose his new job, things get pretty crazy for the Baxter family… especially when 2 of every animal show up and start following Evan around everywhere he goes.
"Evan Almighty" was fun and it's a good family movie – but it wasn't nearly as funny, witty and entertaining as its predecessor "Bruce Almighty." Many of the jokes seemed semi-funny and the script seemed a lot preachier this time around. The cast did a great job with the material they had, but the script could have been a lot funnier… but sadly, most of the good jokes came from Wanda Sykes of all people! Wasting Carell's talent here should be considered a sin! May Morgan Freeman –oops, I mean GOD- strike the bad script writers down for that blunder! A pox upon them I say! Anyhow, overall this was a semi-entertaining movie that should have followed in the comedic footsteps Jim Carey left in "Bruce Almighty," but they just couldn't live up to the original. However, it's still a great family movie and worth seeing. So, grab the kids and have a good time; they'll enjoy watching all the animals.
All in all, I'd give this movie 3 Biblical Floods (out of 5). Re-watch value: MEDIUM.
Movie Reviews Evan Almighty - Brett's Review
"Evan Almighty" follows up after "Bruce Almighty" only this time God decides to go with earth first approach. Newly elected to Congress, the polished, preening newscaster, Evan Baxter, becomes the next one anointed by God to accomplish a holy mission--walking in the footsteps of "Bruce Almighty." Evan leaves Buffalo behind and shepherds his family to suburban northern Virginia. Once there, his life gets turned upside-down when God appears and mysteriously commands him to build an ark. But his befuddled family just can't decide whether Evan is having an extraordinary mid-life crisis or is truly onto something of Biblical proportions.
I found this movie to be somewhat entertaining, the jokes were funny and the story was fun. The audience had a good time; however there was a very strong environmentalist message in the movie. So while the creators tried to play it down with the humor and the characters it was a definitely overpowering message. All in all however the movie was quite enjoyable, the animals were amazing. One of my favorite characters is Rita (Wanda Sykes - she has a sarcastic humor that is awesome), and Morgan Freeman was fantastic as always.
Overall Rating: 6 out of 10 commandments. Re-Watch Value: High (DVD purchase)
Trivia: (1) Evan's Hummer has the license plate GEN 614, citing Genesis 6:14, which reads "Make thee an ark of timber planks: thou shalt make little rooms in the ark, and thou shalt pitch it within and without." (2) Jim Carrey and Jennifer Aniston both declined to reprise their roles from Bruce Almighty.
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