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List Price: $14.98 | | Label: Universal Studios
Salesrank: 7036
Released: October 9, 2007 |
| Our Price: $6.60 |
| Used Price: $1.03 |
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MPAA Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
Evan Almighty is a comedy for all ages that "you don't want to miss" (Kim Griffis, NBC-TV)!
Everyone's favorite funnyman Steve Carell is at his hilarious best as junior congressman Evan Baxter, whose wish to "change the world" is heard by none other than God (Academy Award winner Morgan Freeman). When God appears with the perplexing request to build an ark, Evan is sure he is losing it. But soon mysterious deliveries of wood and tools are being dropped on his doorstep, animals of every shape and size are flocking to him two by two, and his self-absorbed life goes from overnight success to almighty mess! It's a great time for everyone!
Description of Evan Almighty (Full Screen Edition):
Steve Carell rides the wave of 40-Year-Old Virgin stardom (and a biblical flood) in this bizarre, effects-heavy comedy about a modern-day Noah's ark. The film is nominally a sequel to Bruce Almighty, although it bears little relation to the 2003 Jim Carrey hit--except for the divine intervention of Morgan Freeman, who returns in his role as God. Even Carell's character is much altered from his supporting part in the first film; here, Evan Baxter says goodbye to the news-anchoring business in favor of his job as a naive freshman congressman. When God orders him to build an ark and prepare for an impending inundation, Evan sheepishly takes on the task (it's hard to turn down the job when your hair and beard grow to Old Testament lengths and God wants you to walk around in sackcloth).
Carell gets to do silly dances and mix it up with a variety of animals (real and computer-generated), all of which reminds us of the film's family-friendly tone and the PG rating. The kid stuff works just fine, although the religio-environmental message-mongering makes this a most curious kind of Hollywood blockbuster. When the flood comes, the film shifts into a mammoth-sized CGI extravaganza, recalling the era of overstuffed techno-comedies such as 1941 and Howard the Duck (and not to be nit-picky, but the tsunami-like disaster that overtakes Washington, D.C., looks as though it would snuff out the lives of quite a few citizens). Capable comic support comes from John Michael Higgins, Wanda Sykes, and Jonah Hill, with John Goodman and Lauren Graham filling out stock roles of fatcat politico and loyal wife, respectively. Carell is even better at being sincere than being funny, a talent that comes in handy here and bodes well for his future versatility. --Robert Horton
Evan Almighty (Full Screen Edition) Reviews:
Evan is "Mighty" good! 
2009-11-09 - It's a great film that you aren't skeptical of showing to your grandchildren--that's very rare these datys.
A Surprisingly Effective Family Film
2009-10-16 - When I began watching this movie, I completely expected a rip-off of the hilariously funny "Bruce Almighty" starring Jim Carrey. Same concept, same jokes, same old, right?! Thankfully, this version went in a bit of a different direction and was all the better for it.
The film follows news-caster Evan (from the first film, played by Steve Carell) as he leaves the newsroom behind and branches out into politics. Of course, just when it seems he has it made, he gets a little visit from God (once again personified brilliantly by Morgan Freeman). God tells Evan that he must build an Ark (ala Noah), as "a flood is coming". At first, Evan tries desperately to ignore or even outright thwart the "hand of God", but quickly learns that such an attitude is impossible. Thus, the Ark begins to be built and hilarity ensues.
Yet, despite the great sight sags and situational humor that Carell (of "The Office" fame) nails so perfectly, is this film really a comedy? I would have to say an emphatic "no". The only actual jokes offered are commentary from Wanda Sykes, and those get old real fast. Instead, the directors/producers use a combination of those sight gags and crazy situations to fashion a family film with a great message and a compelling storyline. Basically, while it may not have you laughing out loud, you will find yourself chuckling throughout, then actually caring about what happens to the characters at the end.
Going in that more family-oriented direction saved this film from becoming a re-tread of the first effort. The writers knew that only Carrey could have nailed the physical comedy and "in-your-face" jokes of "Bruce Almighty", so they toned it down a bit for the much more understated (yet still funny in its own way) Carell.
This film is perfectly safe to watch with your children and enjoy with the entire family. It isn't an instant classic, but you won't be looking at your watch, either.
Evan Almighty DVD 
2009-06-12 - Great family movie, much better than the first of the series (Bruce Almighty). Sent this one to my parents who never get out to see movies in the theater of rent movies and they loved it!
Perfect gift
2009-04-14 - I purchased this movie for my grandson's first birthday. I thought it would be the perfect gift for him since his name is Evan. Although too young to watch it now, its a good wholesome movie his mom can put away for him when he is older.
An Agreeable Use of an Evening 
2009-03-22 - "Evan Almighty" is a slight and fairly inoffensive sitcom of a movie that milks its preposterous premise to the fullest extant possible, with Steve Carroll as fastidious TV newsman-turned-junior-congressman Evan Baxter. Current comedy-flave Carroll can be funny just walking through a room, and Morgan Freeman is appropriately magisterial as God, who takes Congressman Baxter at his word when he asks the Almighty for guidance. In response, the Almighty drops a load of wood and a box of tools in the neighborhood of the Baxters' overblown McMansion of a house and commands him to build an ark. And then, as Congressman Baxter does not take the duty assignments of the omniscient and omnipresent deity immediately to heart, a number of hints are dropped upon him, with all the subtly of a hammer mashing a thumb or other body part - which does happen, fairly often. Pairs of animals - large, small and everything in between begin appearing, slithering, flying or trotting, according to their nature. For a wonder, every possible opportunity for a poop joke was not exploited to the fullest, for which this viewer was grateful.
For another wonder, as obnoxious as the character of Evan Baxter can appear to be... it seems that has a genuinely happy family life. His sensible wife, played by Lauren Graham, and his three sons all love and accept him... with some reservations, though, when he starts taking the ark-building all too seriously. But they come to welcome it as a chance for the family to work together at something; and of course, what kid wouldn't turn down a chance to fill an ark with all the animals that appear in a glorious variety, all in pairs... especially when the animals begin helping to build the ark, too. Most of the budget seems to have gone for animals and special effects. Wanda Sykes, as Baxter's secretary has all the funniest lines. One might wish that John Goodman, as the conniving senior congressman with an agenda had a little more screen time. What success "Evan Almighty" had in theaters, it works best as a family movie. There are a sprinkling of clever sight gags, of which the halo of fish around Evan Baxter's head was the most amusing.
Extras in this release include some very amusing deleted scenes; a couple of them could have been included - but not the long dash to rescue the dogs in the face of the coming flood - and the expected collection flubs and actor crack-ups. There is a long feature about the various animals used in filming, and on construction ark itself, plus a game of "match the animal pairs". It is not one of those all-time great movie comedies of the year, but it is an agreeable enough movie for an evening... and God knows, there are much worse movies out there.
