Evan Almighty

[J-Proof]

I thought I'd post my review of the movie since it opened this last weekend and did fairly well in receipts!

Basically, you need to understand something about me - JP - in order to understand why I liked this movie. And basically all you need to understand about me is that I'm a devout church-goin' Christian. That being said, this movie surprised the heck out of me (in a very good way) because it presented a completely not-watered-down perspective of Faith, and still managed to be entertaining and light-hearted (unlike, say, Passion of the Christ - which is another movie I really like).

In relation to the first Almighty movie, this one differs immensely in that 1.) it is nowhere near as raunchy or suggestive. This movie scored a PG rating, while Carrey's performance and the more mature themes in the previous flick warranted a PG13 rating. 2.) The movie is much less about realization, and much more about /acting/ on your realization. Remember the end of Bruce Almighty where Bruce finally realizes why God has come to him, and that prompts him to go and try to help others? This movie is an expansion of that five-minute Bruce montage, realized in the form of Steve Carrell's Evan Baxter who is told by God to build an Ark that will help save his neighbors.

Performance-wise, I have to say that Carrell out-shined Carrey, but that Freeman out-shined both of them in his portrayal of God. He's so incredibly smooth in the role! As in, you look forward to seeing Freeman again after each appearance. Lauren Graham fits the role of Evan's wife perfectly. John Stewart makes an awesome cameo in the middle of the movie. And some of Carrell's friends from the Office stop on by as well.

Overall, I recommend this movie to anyone who believes in God, and to anyone who is tolerant of the idea! It's a family-friendly movie, for sure. And the script, cgi, acting, and direction were spot on!

[the long undertow]

I disagree with you on all of that, except that I never saw Bruce Almighty, so I can't say who outshined who.

I saw this about a month ago and it was terrible.  Steve Carrel is a funny guy normally, so I'm going to have to say the problem was with the script and directing.  What also leads me to that conclusion is that the film makes no sense and felt disjointed.  The theology is about as not-watered-down as a Sunday school song, and ends up delivering a shallow view of faith and God's involvment in our lives.  The best part were the unintentionally hilarious one-liners the crowd shouted at him.  Bleck!

[J-Proof]

Lol - to each his own.

I felt like this was a good one to take my little siblings to (which I did), and was accurate in theology.

You have to remember the target audience for this movie is younger kids, as opposed to Bruce Almighty which was aimed at older audiences.

That being said, I feel like even with a younger terget demographic, that the movie had an improtant theme for the adult faithful as well.

My favorite part of the movie was Freeman talking to Graham in the diner about what God does to answer prayer. Very touching!

But hey - your response here is much better than about 95% of the horse manure that imdb posters have said.

[the long undertow]

I haven't really seen any advertisements for it, so I didn't realize it was targeted at younger audiences.  I guess explains some of it.

I would have found that diner scene more effective ifthey had done more to show her trying to reach out to her husband.  Especially for a movie trying to deliver a spiritual message.  I like the "God presents an opportunity" angle, but she didn't really ever seem like she was looking for an opportunity.  It felt like "I wish my relationship with my husband was stronger.  If only there were some way for me to make that happen.  Oh well."  And then, only because God tells her, she realizes she has to play an active part in making that happen.  Maybe it had been originally intended, but didn't make the final cut.  It just felt to me that a lot of the stuff with his family was an afterthought.

[J-Proof]

Yeah I agree. They did do a decent job once she decided to leave with the kids. I was thinking, "man, if she doesn't pick up and leave then she jsut wouldn't be human" I see what you're sayin' though. PS - John Goodman rocks.

[Sharktopus]

I hate this movie. Why? Because my name is Evan. That's all.

[Steve-O]

Richard Roeper apparently didn't like it much.  His review begins with the sentence, "Oh, my God, this movie sucks."

[J-Proof]

hahahha

it's for a very specific demographic - that's all. Church going Christians.

[the long undertow]

That doesn't speak very highly of church-going Christians.

[J-Proof]

like i said - to each his own =P

[starfighter]

  $175 million is a lot to spend on a kids' movie.  I was planning to see it although the previews were lacking in laughs, but the reviews have convinced me to wait and see this later on the cheap.    However, a bunch of Office cameos might change my mind again.  How many cast members show up?

[Hank_Peters]

Not enough to save this trainwreck. zing!

[Sharktopus]

Richard Roeper apparently didn't like it much.  His review begins with the sentence, "Oh, my God, this movie sucks."

I don't always agree with Richard Roeper, but he writes some of the funniest "serious" movie reviews. Helping make up for Ebert taking everything too seriously, I guess.