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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

Time Out London Issue 1928: August 1-7 2007


User reviews of this film

  • Dianne Love said...
    Posted on Jul 28 2008 17:25 I absolutely loved this film. Bought the DVD from Asda for £3... bargain! I'd give it 10 stars if I could!
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  • DJ said...
    Posted on May 25 2008 08:53 how muck was this film ( 1child and 1 adult ) he he he lol
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  • Paul said...
    Posted on May 22 2008 20:24 I hate Time Out so much, I did a little turd in a box and pushed it through their letterbox.
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  • xxx said...
    Posted on Nov 04 2007 23:28 The comment you type in this box will appear on the screen.
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  • immybimmy said...
    Posted on Nov 04 2007 23:26 COONS COONS COONS THATS ALL I CAN SAY!
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  • Lushlippie said...
    Posted on Oct 23 2007 17:51 I got off wif my boyffriend in da middle of dis one!!! not a waste of money - our first kiss eva.
    xxx
    Lushlippie...
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  • liam said...
    Posted on Sep 15 2007 14:12 a funny film with a good story to go with it would reccommend it to anyone
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  • Dan said...
    Posted on Sep 13 2007 20:18 steve carell's seriously funny in this. it's not really much of a follow up to bruce almighty but in fact you can tell it isn't supposed to be. morgan freeman's once again good as God. i really recommend going to see it, for both adults* and children. *adults don't forget to bring a sense of humour with you!
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  • Jackie said...
    Posted on Sep 06 2007 12:09 We took our 2 grandchildren to see it aged 11 and 8, they loved it and we did too, great family entertainment and highly recommended,
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  • brunettebarbiegirl x said...
    Posted on Sep 03 2007 16:44 i thought it was actually reallly good evryone yes you should go and see it ok x
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  • i did not see it said...
    Posted on Sep 01 2007 19:25 people said it was bad i believe them so done over and over again
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  • KaduFlyer said...
    Posted on Sep 01 2007 17:24 Like most Comedy Movies the best gags are in the trailers. The follow up to Bruce Almighty it may be but Bruce Almighty it is not.
    Its enjoyable with just about enough gags to rate it as a comedy, with an underlying message about family values versus politics and greed.
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  • harvey said...
    Posted on Aug 30 2007 14:37 omg omg should i go see it?
    looks okay from trailer but IS ITTTTTTTTT GOOD??
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  • lucypops said...
    Posted on Aug 29 2007 09:40 Is This film worth going to see, i dont reall know what its about! Is i worth it???
    Report as inappropriate
  • jellyman said...
    Posted on Aug 29 2007 09:19 wicked film every1 liked it!!!
    Report as inappropriate
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