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Evan Almighty (2007)

Director: Tom Shadyac

Time Out rating

Average user rating

102 reviews

Synopsis

This sequel to the hit comedy ‘Bruce Almighty’ sees the spotlight shift from newsreader Bruce to his arch enemy Evan Baxter. Now a Congressman, Baxter and his family relocate to Virginia, where Evan’s life is turned upside down by a visit from God. The big man tells him to build an ark in preparation for a great flood, a request that’s easier said than done.

Movie review

From Time Out London

One of the funniest things about ‘Bruce Almighty’ was Steve Carell’s uptight newsreader Evan Baxter – but don’t expect this sequel to be wall-to-wall laughs. Here, Evan has been elected as a congressman and trots off to Washington DC with his wife and kids in tow. Everything looks rosy for the super-slick Evan: there’s a big new house, a fantastic office and a healthy pay packet. But he wasn’t banking on God (Morgan Freeman) making an appearance and asking him to build an ark, thereby exposing him to ridicule from all comers. Gradually, Evan is forced to submit to God’s request and ends up a long-haired laughing stock – but possibly the one man who could save the city from an impending flood.

So, wife, kids, animals coming two by two: this is family-friendly comedy, more ‘Cheaper By The Dozen’ than the relatively grown-up ‘Bruce Almighty’. Evan’s attempts to avoid God’s message are initially amusing as pairs of animals start to pop up everywhere and he find himself unable to shave off his sprouting beard. But moments like the latter will have both theologians and believers frowning: surely looking like a Biblical character isn’t the point? This is, in theory, about the environment, political corruption, one man standing up to the establishment – and the Christian faith. But it’s done with such a safe, cautious hand that it fails to deliver many laughs past the obvious. There is a flash of excitement when the flood comes, despite the dodgy CG. And peripheral characters such as John Goodman’s corrupt congressman and Jonah Hill’s research nerd intermittently amuse. But ‘Evan Almighty’ misses so many tricks, it ultimately misses the mark. Anna Smith

Author: Anna Smith 2007-07-31 11:56:57

Time Out London Issue 1928: August 1-7 2007

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User reviews of this film

Tony said...

Posted on Aug 14 2007 23:55 I have actually seen the film and the pre-quel and thought it was excellent! steven caroll was supurb as usual with his subtle humour and felt that this was as good as the original film. It is a family film that all should enjoy.

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Paula said...

Posted on Aug 14 2007 22:49 I agree with the above comment.
It was a fun experience just reading these reveiws; due to the lack of grammar, punctuation and dialogue problems some of these veiwers seem to have. Brightened up my night anyway
: ]
ps. i havent seen the film.

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Siobhan said...

Posted on Aug 14 2007 19:57 went 2see this film yesterday thought it was brill!!!! its so funny!!! definetly one 2watch

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scarlie warlie said...

Posted on Aug 14 2007 15:38 this film is ok but its not worth paying the rip off prices i must admit xxxxxx i wud wait until it comes out on sky if i were any 1 who hasnt watched it and has sky xxxx scarlett

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Tina said...

Posted on Aug 14 2007 11:24 I hve seen the film an i prefered this one to the first one (Bruce Almighty) i thught it was very funny. so before any comments on this film maybe you shoud go watch it first.

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Alex said...

Posted on Aug 13 2007 18:29 Ok, just not funny

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rach said...

Posted on Aug 13 2007 15:04 the film was amazing i advise every one to see it

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jimmy lad said...

Posted on Aug 13 2007 15:02 i think that the film awsome i cant wait to see it 2moro its looks well funny lol

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nafun said...

Posted on Aug 13 2007 13:50 i like beards and also drinks lots of coffee, i dont even know what this film is about. (someone reply an tell me)

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Bill said...

Posted on Aug 13 2007 02:22 I saw this a month or so ago, its a surprisngly good sequal (well, when they announce a sequal without the originals main character, you don't usually feel too optimistic), but its a good film, doesn't live up to the original but you will still enjoy this

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Alexa said...

Posted on Aug 12 2007 19:15 I am stunned and shocked to see so much dreadful grammer and spelling from adults? Young ppeople? or are you 3 years old? UNBELIEVABLE. This is a review site... Go and see the film before you comment on it -you morons..Or better still go to the library and teach yourselves ENGLISH ! Sorry, but I won't be bothering to visit this site again. What a waste of a good idea. Apologies to all those decent, literate people who did understand the concept.

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douglas said...

Posted on Aug 12 2007 17:01 Ugh. I'm surprised some of you can even switch a computer on. Don't you realise text-speak is harder to type on a keyboard? Don't do it on the internet because it makes you seem stupid and other people are less likely to go and see a film you like.
Can none of you work out what is wrong, for example, with the following post? If you really can't, I just don't know what to tell you.
<i>Jade said...
All the above r gay! U dnt know wot ur on about! Its a brilliant film! Im goin 2 woch it 2nyte 4 the 1st time!</i>
I'm sorry I haven't provided a review of a film I haven't seen (although I do usually enjoy Steve Carell), but saying something is "GRATE!!!!!!!!1!!!1!!!!LOL!!!!" without saying what was so great about it doesn't constitute a review either. You can always find 1,000,000 witless wonders to call any old drivel "great".

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anon said...

Posted on Aug 12 2007 16:23 ive read about one proper review on this site. go and look in the dictionary and look up the word review!!how am i mena no wether to go and watch the film when all you morons are talkin about grammer and lettin everyone now that your going to watch it!!what a load of help that is your mena tell people what the film is like!!o and this ilm is just anuva name for bruce almighty 2!!!its the follow up so stop slagin it of!!!!!

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paul said...

Posted on Aug 12 2007 15:27 opps ( more fun )

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paul said...

Posted on Aug 12 2007 15:25 well i think i will not bother going to see this movie i i am finding being sat here reading the coments what a way to live eh!!!!

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