Evan Almighty (PG, 2007)

common sense media says

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


parents & educators say

What 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.

Positive messages: 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).
Violence & scariness: 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.
Sexy stuff: Evan and Joan kiss and hug a couple of times.
Language: Very little, even by PG standards: "pissed," "jackass," "Oh my God!"
Consumerism: Just a few: Hummer, The Daily Show, The 40-Year-Old Virgin (Mary).
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

More on Evan Almighty

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
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?

What's the story?

What's the story?
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?

Is it any good?
 
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.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Universal Pictures
Director: Tom Shadyac
Cast: Morgan Freeman, Steve Carell, Wanda Sykes
Genre: Comedy
Run time: 100 minutes
Theatrical release: June 21, 2007
DVD release: October 9, 2007
MPAA Rating: PG
MPAA explanation: mild rude humor and some peril.
Watch our review

This review was written by Sandie Angulo Chen
 
 

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What parents & educators say

8

Most useful reviews by all members

jesusfreak32
teen, 14 years old
 
GREAT MOVIE!!!
I LOVE this movie!!! I now own it on dvd!

hunter98
kid, 13 years old
 
it was funny
it was a good movie it felt real short for some reason like i was wanting more but nothing real bad is in it

musicfan789
teen, 14 years old
 
go evan almighty!!!!!!!!!
I THINK THIS WAS A HILARIOUS MOVIE THAT EVERY ONE SHOULD ENJOY

Divine_Munchie_99
teen, 17 years old
 
DO THE DANCE!
HILARIOUS FUN MOVIE! Great for everyone!

oniongirl
teen, 14 years old
 
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!

jayman1004
kid, 11 years old
 
Some sex jokes, but REALLY GOOD.
OK for 7 year olds who know what a penis is.

pennymom
parent of 8 and 10 year old
 
Cheesy with a positive message
A bit cheesy, but a good Friday night family movie that we all could enjoy. I like the positive message that a act of random kindness can change the world.

movieman4
kid, 12 years old
 
Violence (PG): The flood scene is a little scary. Social Behavior (PG-13): The main charecter gives away everything that's important to him (e.g. his wife, his house, his clean shave) for God, whick you want your kids to be doing.

bdd458
teen, 15 years old
 
Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THIS ROCKS SO YOU MUST WATCH BECAUSE IT IS HALARIOUS AND HAS A GREAT STORY FIRST JUST WAS BORING.

directerdude123
teen, 18 years old
 
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+

Jetranger
parent
 
Abuses God's name.
I'm surprised nobody mentioned the swearing in the movie. I don't mean profanities ... I mean using God's name in vain (breaking the 3rd commandment) ... which is, of course, worse than profanities. In movies, we know that when there is violence, murder, adultery, etc,... that it is just pretend. But when you abuse the name of God, that sin is actually happening. It was planned, written, edited, acted out, directed,and repeated every time the movie airs. What is especially heartbreaking is seeing all the sitcoms now where this swearing is routine ... and even young children are being coached to do it - for laughs. God's name is Holy ... The first line of the Lord's prayer ... after addressing God, is to say "Hallowed be Your Name". Is His name hallowed? Holy? Or a punch line? Are people so immune to it, that they can watch a movie that uses God's name in vain and not even notice????

MiaGirl
parent
 
good movie
Evan almighty was questionable at first but turned out to be a great movie! SHOULD NOT BE TV 14

Justino4
teen, 14 years old
 
Better for a Family
There isn't bad language, but there is a small ongoing joke throughout the film that says how a certain animal's penis is larger than its body, but that's the worst of it.

Spielberg00
teen, 14 years old
 
I've seen this two or three times, and I remember a lot of language that was kind of strong for a PG...
My rating: PG [borderline with PG-13] for some language including a brief sexual reference, and for a scene of peril. [NOTE: There is a lot of strong PG-rated language in this movie, such as "a-s" (in various forms), "s--t", "the Arctic penguin has a p---s as long as its body", etc.]

4Spice
adult
 
good comedy
this movie is really funny 8 and over watch it


kid, 12 years old
 
PG TV-14
on tv is TV-14, on movies is PG only 6+


teen, 14 years old
 
PG TV-14
on tv is TV-14, on movies is PG only 6+


kid, 11 years old
 
PG TV-14
on tv is TV-14, on movies is PG only 6+


kid, 12 years old
 
PG TV-14
on tv is TV-14, on movies is PG only 6+

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