It’s not everyday that you can take a minor character from a hit movie, cast him in a spin-off/sequel, and nobody bitches about missing the feel or the star from the original. In Evan Almighty, you get Steve Carell, of Daily Show, The Office, and the 40 Year Old Virgin fame, and give him his own vehicle in place of Jim Carrey, who has been missing from movies of late, and it seems to work pretty well. Even Almighty fits the feel good style of the original Bruce Almighty. You have Evan Baxter, Jim Carrey’s nemesis in the first movie, who has now been elected to Congress, and is moving his family (wife played by Lauren Graham) to DC so he can “change the world.” Morgn Freeman returns as God, who is having his fun with Congressman Baxter by asking him to build an Ark, and then throwing up roadblocks in the way of every attempt Evan makes to continue his normal life, but is all the while trying to teach Baxter a life lesson, get his family closer together, and upset the evil plans of a devious fellow Congressman, played by John Goodman. If you’ve seen the commercials or trailers, then you’ve seen the beard, clothes, and animals, and you have the basic feel of the movie. No surprises really, but the movie is pretty funny, and the cameos by various Daily Show correspondents, especially Ed Helms, are pretty good. Steve Carell does his normal thing, being funny without seeming like he needs the constant spotlight (ala Carrey or Robin Williams). Wanda Sykes, as Congressman Baxter’s executive assistant, has a fair share of laughs as well. All in all, not a bad movie, although it probably won’t be lighting up anyone’s all time funniest movie lists.
I’m glad you were the one elected to go review this for us.
I generally like dumb/funny movies, but this one had no appeal to me. I have now upgarded it to “netflix” or “late night stop at the video store” when it comes out on DVD.
I took my 6 yr old this weekend to see it, I wasn’t expecting much from it, and laughed my butt off! I thought it was a way better movie without Jim Carrey.
Speaking of 6-year olds… how is it from an “adult” perspective? language, nudity, violence, other such stuff? I’m pondering whether to take my 6 year olds to it, but can’t really tell from the previews whether or how much objectionable content there is…
I watched MIB II last night, thought the kids would enjoy it (they were already in bed), but wasn’t too keen on the amount of language involved.
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No worries at all with Language or content. My daughter loved it, thought it was funny and the animals were cute. I am very careful with the movies she sees and I had no problems with this one.
Good. We’ll put it on the list, then. I’m sure they’ll have a ball with it.
TwinDad, I already looked it up … the nagtives are language such as “pissed” (We’ve all seen it in the previews, “I’m gonna be soooo pissed”), and there’s poop/feces jokes (Good!). Fopr sexual content the website actually said “Evan and wife hug and kiss a couple times.”
The stated reason for the PG rating was that the scenes of ark dangerously navigating through the high seas could be a bit scary.
I think we’ll see it also. I had very low expectations, but it sounds genuinely funny … not gut-busitng hilarious, but funny.
Aah, good. I enjoyed “Bruce Almighty.” Liked the premise. Not sure I would want to explain some of the Jennifer Aniston scenes to my daughter, though.
This one looks like a decent “family” flick. And I know for a fact the kids have already been exposed to far worse than that language from their public school-mates. And some of their church friends, come to think of it.
What’s your review source?
Just took my son and his friend to see it and everyone enjoyed it. It’s actually a pretty darn good movie. During the flood scene my son yells “THAT is awesome!”.
I admit, I laughed out loud during some of the ark-building funny parts. Genuinely funny.