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EVAN ALMIGHTY
In this sequel to Bruce Almighty, Evan Baxter (Steve Carell, The Office) is a newly elected congressman from New York who leaves his job as a TV news anchor and heads to Washington, D.C., with his wife (Lauren Graham, Gilmore Girls) and three sons (Johnny Simmons, Graham Phillips and Jimmy Bennett). Driving in their Hummer to their new luxury home in a Virginia community called Prestige Crest, Evan wants to change the world but he isn’t sure how.
Congressman Long (John Goodman, Roseanne) wants Evan to cosign a bill that will allow the borderlands of national parks to be sold for development and profit. At first, Evan agrees.
Strange things start to happen. An ancient tool box and stacks of lumber are delivered to his home. And animals start to follow him, two by two. God (Morgan Freeman, Bruce Almighty) appears to Evan and invites him to build an ark.
Using Ark Building for Dummies, Evan begins his construction project. But his family is confused and his profession is jeopardized.
Evan has interesting conversations with God and interactions with lots of animals, especially birds, who punctuate the important moments by pooping on him.
The film has two strong features
First, it is indeed for the whole family, with only a few scenes of peril at the end. Written by Steve Oedekerk, who gave us the animated, anatomically challenged Barnyard, the animals in Evan Almighty are mostly real some were computer generated.
The film’s second strong feature is the relationship between God and Evan. Before the film’s release, director Tom Shadyac told Christian journalists that the theology and spirituality of the film are important to him. The conversation between God and Evan about anger and love is especially insightful. When God takes Evan to the cliff overlooking the once pristine valley that Prestige Crest now occupies, it is an “aha” moment for Evan and for us.
The film’s weakest point is that it tries to do too much. It is filled with themes: marriage and family, integrity, care for the earth and A.R.K. (Acts of Random Kindness). Because it is inclusive and for all ages, grown-ups may find themselves challenged to find enough satisfying comedy.
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