Evan Almighty (PG)

Carell's morality tale much milder than Carrey's.

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Common Sense rates it
2
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Movie details
  • Studio: Universal Pictures, Universal Pictures
  • Directed By: Tom Shadyac
  • Cast: Morgan Freeman, Steve Carell, Wanda Sykes
  • Running Time: 100 minutes
  • Release Date: 06/21/2007
  • Video/DVD Release Date: 10/09/2007
  • Genre: Comedy
  • MPAA Rating: PG
  • MPAA Explanation: mild rude humor and some peril.

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that this sequel to Bruce Almighty is a broader, milder comedy than the original, and it aims to appeal to the whole family (and given the frequent TV ads, chances are even young kids have heard of it). The good news is that even though it's not particularly good, it is pretty safe -- there's no violence, drinking, or sex, and virtually no bad language ("pissed" and "jackass" are as strong as it gets). It's worth noting that the plot revolves around Evan talking directly to God and then obeying his command; there are several biblical references, but no proselytizing.

Families can talk about how this movie is being marketed. Is it aimed at Steve Carell's fans, people who liked Bruce Almighty, or both? How do the ads make it seem appealing? Also, how is it different from Bruce? Why do you think the filmmakers decided to make the comedy milder this time around? And who's funnier -- Carell or Jim Carrey? Families can also discuss the message about committing acts of random kindness. What would you have done in Evan's place?

Message

Social Behavior:

Evan sacrifices his reputation in order to follow a greater calling and by doing so saves lives, animals, and his family. Some poop/bodily function jokes (not surprising, given all the animals involved).

Consumerism:

Just a few: Hummer, The Daily Show, The 40-Year-Old Virgin (Mary).

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

Violence

The "flood" scene is a bit intense as the water rises and the ark is propelled forward, but no one gets hurt. Some comic pratfalls/injuries while building the ark.

Sex

Evan and Joan kiss and hug a couple of times.

Language

Very little, even by PG standards: "pissed," "jackass," "Oh my God!"

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Sandie Angulo Chen

In EVAN ALMIGHTY, Steve Carell picks up where Jim Carrey left off in the 2003 man-meets-God comedy Bruce Almighty, in which Carrell portrayed scene-stealing, self-centered newscaster Evan Baxter. In this sequel, Evan is a newly-elected Congressman living in a suburban McMansion –-. While Evan's networking on Capitol Hill with his staff (Wanda Sykes, who gets the best lines, and character funnymen John Michael Higgins and Jonah Hill), his long-suffering wife (Gilmore Girls mom Lauren Graham) and three sons feel neglected. God feels her pain, and proving that The Heavenly Father Knows Best, he steps in and commands Evan to build an ark with his boys, turn into an even hairier Barry Gibb doppelganger, and make good on his campaign promise to "change the world."

Is it any good?

2
Compared to the first “Almighty” comedy, Evan –- doesn't seem as obvious an instrument for God (again played by Morgan Freeman) and his all-knowing lessons as Bruce, who had plenty of complaints to shoot in the Almighty's direction. The laughs, of course, are what you'd expect: lots of species and feces jokes, an overlong montage of Evan hurting himself while playing This Old House with the ark, and endless digs at Evan's appearance, which goes from clean-cut to grizzly man to white-bearded prophet in just a few scenes. Even the cameos are predictable, like Carell pals Jon Stewart, Ed Helms, and Rachael Harris.

While the gags are cartoonish, the message seems straight out of an environmentally conscious Sunday School. John Goodman, playing a senior congressman, is -- to nobody's surprise -- actually a greedy villain whose allies include shady land developers who hate it when natural resources get in the way of profit. Not exactly the most groundbreaking political problem for God's instrument to solve. Despite the movie's disappointingly lackluster story, kids will get a kick out of the animal antics and old-fashioned ark-building lessons. Llamas spitting green bile on greedy politicos? Now that's inspiring.

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Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 55 reviews.

3


Posted on 11/18/08 by vvfrn Kid contributor, age 15

Undescribable

5


Posted on 11/09/08 by oniongirl Kid contributor, age 12

VERY funny, very fun!

this is a great movie that the whole family can enjoy! older and younger kids, boys and girls, parents, and grandparents! no language, sex, or violence. overall a fun, sweet, light movie!
5


Posted on 06/08/08 by dmnc Kid contributor, age 11

Great

this movie was great my parents laughed and laughed the movie was good
Age 8+
4


Posted on 05/12/08 by woodsyearthmama Adult contributor

Hilarious

Great family movie. My son(he is 5) wants to tackle a family project like building an ark together now. Great "green" message too.
4

Posted on 03/18/08 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 13

I laughed

Age 8+
2


Posted on 01/30/08 by DadofThree Adult contributor

Good family film

The rare comedy that both kids and parents will both enjoy. Great rental for families with kids of varying ages - everybody will smile.
1


Posted on 01/16/08 by kungfupig Kid contributor, age 12

[grade C] though different than expected, it does have some great kicks

No surprises. Not as serious. Even stupider. But attracts more kids. Though this may be junk, and the humor absolutely sucks, and we are now all mad at Steve Carrel, and wondering where the hell did he go, there are many feel good moments. Amazingly unrealistic, Evan Baxter has turned into Noah, and finally builds an ark. It is very fast paced, but it was not that good
Age 5+
2


Posted on 12/15/07 by HappyDad Adult contributor

Boring Superficial Movie

The CommonSenseMedia review was 100% right. If you're looking for a a very light movie for young kids (<8) and can discuss this movie in terms of faith, then it's worth a rental. I think most of the "highly rated" reviews are from Christians that like "simple" answers in life. Bruce Almighty was a much much better film in that it really touched upon the human condition and that condition in relation to faith and how selfish we ALL are when it comes to our opportunity to be divine. This movie was none of that. As for comedy, shockingly there was very little. Wanda Sykes had the best lines in the movie and that was maybe 5 or so in her few scenes. It really is a G rated Sunday school type movie for young children that begs for much much deeper discussion at the dinner table or the Church.
Age 8+
5


Posted on 12/10/07 by bigaztec Adult contributor

Great job Hollywood

Thanks for getting one right. This one the kids and I really enjoyed together. Even my 3 year old was laughing and got the idea of the movie.
Age 8+
4


Posted on 12/09/07 by loudnoyes Adult contributor

See all 55 reviews >

Adult Reviews

There are 28 reviews.

Age 8+
4


Posted on 05/12/08 by woodsyearthmama Adult contributor

Hilarious

Great family movie. My son(he is 5) wants to tackle a family project like building an ark together now. Great "green" message too.
Age 8+
2


Posted on 01/30/08 by DadofThree Adult contributor

Good family film

The rare comedy that both kids and parents will both enjoy. Great rental for families with kids of varying ages - everybody will smile.
Age 5+
2


Posted on 12/15/07 by HappyDad Adult contributor

Boring Superficial Movie

The CommonSenseMedia review was 100% right. If you're looking for a a very light movie for young kids (<8) and can discuss this movie in terms of faith, then it's worth a rental. I think most of the "highly rated" reviews are from Christians that like "simple" answers in life. Bruce Almighty was a much much better film in that it really touched upon the human condition and that condition in relation to faith and how selfish we ALL are when it comes to our opportunity to be divine. This movie was none of that. As for comedy, shockingly there was very little. Wanda Sykes had the best lines in the movie and that was maybe 5 or so in her few scenes. It really is a G rated Sunday school type movie for young children that begs for much much deeper discussion at the dinner table or the Church.
Age 8+
5


Posted on 12/10/07 by bigaztec Adult contributor

Great job Hollywood

Thanks for getting one right. This one the kids and I really enjoyed together. Even my 3 year old was laughing and got the idea of the movie.
Age 8+
4


Posted on 12/09/07 by loudnoyes Adult contributor

Age 17+
3


Posted on 11/17/07 by pwaters5158 Adult contributor

My family and I really enjoyed this movie until Evan used a profanity. People are really ruining movies by throwing profanities in unnecessarily. This DVD didn't have language rating on the cover. Otherwise I would not have bought it.
Age 2+
5


Posted on 11/10/07 by mike7055 Adult contributor

CommonSense Media got this one wrong!

This was an excellent movie, my entire family enjoyed it immensely! Very funny. CommonSense Media rated this movie a 2 star? I say they got it wrong!
Age 8+
5


Posted on 10/31/07 by nazariorico Adult contributor

Great, we laughed

The movie was much better then Bruce Almighty. It was funny and it did not bring down the christian belief. I would recommended this movie to anyone with kids and watch it with them.
Age 8+
3


Posted on 10/15/07 by Movie Man Adult contributor

Funny Stevce Carrel Movie has Something for Everyone!

Steve Carrel is one of the last actors you'd expect in a kids film, but here he is and he is funny! Although he is not his crude self, he still entertains as the wacky Evan Baxter of the original, Bruce Almighty. Carrel is a governor who suddenly finds out there is going to be a second flood, and he has to save everyone. Uh oh.
Age 5+
3


Posted on 09/20/07 by barb42 Adult contributor

Cute and suitable

Why do critics hate this movie so much? It's pretty cute and has a nice meassage--what's so bad about that?
See all 28 adult reviews>

Kids Reviews

There are 27 reviews.

3


Posted on 11/18/08 by vvfrn Kid contributor, age 15

Undescribable

5


Posted on 11/09/08 by oniongirl Kid contributor, age 12

VERY funny, very fun!

this is a great movie that the whole family can enjoy! older and younger kids, boys and girls, parents, and grandparents! no language, sex, or violence. overall a fun, sweet, light movie!
5


Posted on 06/08/08 by dmnc Kid contributor, age 11

Great

this movie was great my parents laughed and laughed the movie was good
4

Posted on 03/18/08 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 13

I laughed

1


Posted on 01/16/08 by kungfupig Kid contributor, age 12

[grade C] though different than expected, it does have some great kicks

No surprises. Not as serious. Even stupider. But attracts more kids. Though this may be junk, and the humor absolutely sucks, and we are now all mad at Steve Carrel, and wondering where the hell did he go, there are many feel good moments. Amazingly unrealistic, Evan Baxter has turned into Noah, and finally builds an ark. It is very fast paced, but it was not that good
3


Posted on 11/13/07 by directerdude123 Kid contributor, age 13

Not as good as I thought

This movie was ok but i thought it would be better. I didn't think that it had any bad material exept little launguage. ok for 8+
3


Posted on 11/02/07 by robots in disguise Kid contributor, age 17

Good movie

I'm not going to ask for it for Christmas or anything but it was a decent movie that kids will really enjoy. I prefer other movies but I'd watch it if my parents wanted me to sit down w/ my little brothers and eat some popcorn.
5


Posted on 10/29/07 by moviebuff11 Kid contributor, age 12

good

this movie was good.
4


Posted on 10/26/07 by MSsayitlikeitis Kid contributor, age 12

funny lv it

2


Posted on 10/10/07 by KelandryOfTortall Kid contributor, age 13

BRUCE Almighty

Evan Almighty is great for younger audiences, like 8-11 years old. It's not as funny as Bruce Almighty-not even close. Its humor is weak- it's ALMOST there but not quite, which is just annoying. It's kind of Noah's Ark meets Doctor Doolittle. But less funny.
See all 27 kids reviews >
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