Evan Almighty is a sequel to Bruce Almighty(2003). The first featured Jim Carrey and Jennifer Aniston in the lead roles, both actors declined to appear in Evan Almighty and that’s all right. Evan Baxter (last seen as the news anchor that Carrey tortured in the first film) has been elected to Congress. He and his family move from Buffalo, New York to the North Virginia suburbs.
During Evan’s campaign, he promised to change the world, though he never clarified how. Lauren Graham (“Gilmore Girls”) stars as Joan Baxter, Evan’s wife. She suggests to Evan that he should pray to God, because he wants to change the world and who couldn’t use a little help with that goal? Evan does so and shortly thereafter, his life is turned upside down when God (played by the ever affable Morgan Freeman) asks Evan to build an Ark.
When God (Freeman) appears to Evan (Carrell) in the back of his car, Evan screams and God replies “Let it out, son. It’s the beginning of wisdom.” Check out Proverbs 1:7: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
The alarm clock keeps ringing at 6:14 every morning. The letters on the clock are partially worn down, so the camera focuses on Gen 6:14. Evan’s congressional license plates arrive and they say Gen 6:14. Traditional tools are delivered as well and much more. Why does God want Evan to build this ark? Because the flood is coming and Evan has until September 22nd at midday to complete the Ark.
Animals begin appearing, two by two, to wait for the Ark to be built and in some cases, to help Evan. Evan’s family can’t tell whether Evan is going through some kind of stress-induced breakdown or really is experiencing a miracle. Joan initially takes their three sons to her mother’s because she wants to protect them, but with just a little gentle nudge from Al Mighty (yes, it’s Morgan Freeman again), she and the boys return home to help Evan finish the Ark.
The movie itself is very well done and avoids much of the raunchier humor you might expect from a Steve Carrell film or even from the original with Jim Carrey. Kids can enjoy the film and the interactions and they don’t need a lot of explanations – whether they’ve read Genesis and know the story of the flood or not. The transformation that Evan’s character under goes (he looks like Noah by the end of the film) is very reminiscent of Tim Allen’s transformation in the original The Santa Clause.
The scariest part for the six-year-old set was when the flood actually occurs. The rushing water, the panic from the crowd and the rush to board the ark and the fact that she knew there were animals on board had her tensing up. But after that it’s a wild ride and docks with a satisfying conclusion. Evan Almighty doesn’t preach the message, but the message is delivered very well – specifically that Evan and his family and everyone else can change the world with one act of random kindness at a time. That’s what ark stands for.
Stick around when the movie rolls to a close because the credits feature a fun dance moment with the animals that the kids will adore! Evan Almighty is a fun family film and offers a wonderful package of hope, faith and charity all in one. It’s in major release right now, so be sure to check it out.
Evan Almighty is rated PG
Heather Long also blogs on fitness, marriage and Disney