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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

Chelsea Babi said...

Posted on Aug 04 2007 19:00 Omg.....I wanna go and see it tommorow!!!!!..It looks brill going to pic'z looks Real Good Ain't realoly opost to be funny

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Chris said...

Posted on Aug 04 2007 15:07 I think it looks really good and i am going to see it with my mates :)

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lauren said...

Posted on Aug 04 2007 11:17 im going to see the film to day and im looking forward to it someone tell me what it is like in stead of comenting other peoples coments

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beth said...

Posted on Aug 03 2007 20:43 sorry didnt mean to type it so many times =] lol

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beth said...

Posted on Aug 03 2007 20:41 all you people doubt the flim i saw it was brillant got a bit boring after while but it was great so to ll you people learn how to type right and i respect your own opion

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Johnny Boy said...

Posted on Aug 03 2007 18:57 Spot the irony? I meant QUIT the weird text speak! :-)

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Johnny Boy said...

Posted on Aug 03 2007 18:56 Why can some people not type correctly? Quite the weird text speak you muppets. Is there anyone who has actually seen the film and can provide a review? Oh yes, I have - and it was rubbish! Oh, and by the way, this is the SEQUEL to Bruce Almighty you pleb. Oh yeah, and also just to note, saying that you like the look of the film and are going to see it is NOT a review!!!!!! Morons!!!

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Richard said...

Posted on Aug 03 2007 15:41 i fink that tis flim loks god and i want to cee it.

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Gib said...

Posted on Aug 03 2007 00:35 I agree, do you know what a full stop is!!
TBH i am quite excited about going to see this film, looks pretty good! Hoping it doesnt get silly tho :)

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al said...

Posted on Aug 02 2007 20:58 yeah and the above comment made no sense

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anon said...

Posted on Aug 01 2007 18:46 dis film is such a ripoff of bruce almighty imean same dude dat played god in bruce as evan and they my aswell callit bruce cuz its bout god and ditz da same name and filmed and writren along da same lines so someone call da copyright company

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ismauk said...

Posted on Aug 01 2007 16:26 seen the advert, looks very intresting. My kids are very excited to see the film. Going to watch it on friday let you know my views.

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