A comedy of biblical proportions.
The last time we saw Evan Baxter (Steve Carell), he was being tormented by rival Bruce Nolan on-screen, live from their Buffalo TV station. But as time passed and Evan has made up with Bruce, he's gone onto bigger and better things. Newly elected to Washington DC as a congressman, Evan has left Buffalo, New York in pursuit of a greater calling. But that calling isn't serving in the illustrious ranks of America's politics, but being summoned by the Almighty himself (Morgan Freeman), who has handed Evan the task of building a new ark, much as Noah did before. With time passing by and his family belittled by Evan's new-found realization, Evan will have to do the work that God has given him in what promises to be an unusual adventure for a man who just wanted to serve his country, might actually be serving humanity.
Special Agent Matti
You always need to worry about sequels to comedies but Evan Almighty is the exception to the rule: it's funny! Steve Carell is great as the up-and-at-em, anal retentive newsreader-turned-politician who gets the hard word from Jehovah. He manages to be an annoying jerk while retaining the aura of a sympathetic family man.
The downside of this flick is that it's been dumbed-down for the US domestic market (Yanks not being known for their towering intellects) so everything is a bit facile. The baddies aren't really bad, the family is just a nuclear family, the deity is the one Evan sort-of believes in. (Wouldn't it be great if Krishna or Ganesh rocked up to answer the prayers!) Still, the protagonist's dilemma is real (do something so stupid that even you don't believe you're doing it) and the pain he feels is deep. That's the best way to start a comedy.
The special effects are sometimes good, mostly ok and occasionally just not right. Water continues to be very difficult to model while inserting moving animals into a scene has come along great strides since Walking with dinosaurs (pun intended).
Grab your popcorn and bags the best seat, Evan Almighty is good fun for everyone. Even if it does have God in it.
NB: Watch out for the gay peacocks outside Evan's office window.
The comedy, sequel movie Evan Almighty is directed by Tom Shadyac and stars Steve Carell, Morgan Freeman, Lauren Graham.
G (Some scenes may frighten young children)
95 minutes (1:35 hours)
Film: 20 September 2007
