Evan Almighty

Evan Almighty is Mighty Entertaining
The review I read in the USA Today suggested that this movie was a stinker. But I think the critics dropped the ball. This was a fun movie, and a great choice for the whole family. Evan Baxter is the former Buffalo news anchor who has just been elected to Congress with the lofty campaign slogan "Change the World."

This inspires God (played by Morgan Freeman) to speak to Evan about building an ark. God is angry that the beautiful Appalachian mountain vistas he has created are being destroyed by those desiring to create huge residential areas. He is upset with those who want to destroy the natural beauty of the world.

Animals start following Baxter around two by two, and (like in the Tim Allen flick "The Santa Clause") he begins to look like his predecesor (Noah).

Evan becomes alienated from his congressional colleagues and from his family, but by this point in the film, he is convinced that he is doing the work of the Lord.

As the plot...

GREAT movie on Courage, Faith, and Hope
This is a GREAT movie inspite of the reviews given to it by certain critics. (especially critics who happened to compete with it's opening debute). This movie is NOT about a man building an ark, although that appears to be on the surface. It is about a man who is forced into circumstances which seem to be unalterable, taking him further away from his own personal aims in life only to find himself again. He must surrender his own life's plans for plans that appear completely incongruent to his own by Divine interference. He is pushed to the edge of his sanity while his stable and well grounded wife watches him hopelessly slip away. Ultimately, when his own strategies fail, he surrenders to his divine mission and plunges into his project whole heartedly at the cost of his job, family, and his reputation. Steve Carell plays the role so beautifully, full of laughs and humor, drama and tears. And Morgan Freeman, who plays God, is so wonderfully warm and true, he touches the hearts...

This may sound a bit strange...
But FINALLY I can watch a movie with my mother! I'm in my mid twenties and our tastes just tend to run so opposite on everything. I saw this and then saw the rating (which suprised me considering Bruce Almighty) and we agreed on it. And it was very entertaining.

I actually enjoyed the fact that cussing was kept to a minimum (if at all) and so was vulgarity. I loved Morgan Freeman's portrayal of God and the fact that they kept the sense of humor.

Steve Carell WAS very restrained in this movie, as compared to his other roles, but I thought he did an excellent job. I've seen more than 1 review stating that it wasn't as good as 40 Y.O. Virgin, but it's a completely different kind of comedy and his character is very different.

I also didn't really find it sacrilegious or making fun of religion. Some people love that type of humor. I find it tiresome. So for me that was a plus.

In conclusion: yes, it can be a family film, but it can also be...

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