Can a supporting character from a fairly good comedy be spun off into his own sequel and have it be successful? “Evan Almighty,” the offshoot of the original film “Bruce Almighty” starring Jim Carrey, answers this question by proving lightning can strike twice, even without the assistance of the original star.
Steve Carell (“The 40 Year Old Virgin”) is Evan Baxter, a former newscaster and newly elected representative to Congress who owns a gas-guzzling Hummer and moves his family into a giant home in a new development in Washington D.C.
Evan’s slogan during the election campaign was that he wanted to change the world, but will this slightly dimwitted politician change it for the better or worse?
That’s where the appearance of God, with Morgan Freeman returning as the man upstairs, and boat building materials come into the picture. Evan needs to build an ark with the assistance of his three sons to protect the people from an unknown menace that God doesn’t specify. This modern day Noah tries to keep his reputation afloat while building a giant boat in his backyard.
Freeman gives the film instant credibility because of the power of his presence on-screen. The fact he was willing to return - along with the original director - gives the sequel heft and a familiar character from “Bruce Almighty.”
However, the person who really turns this sequel into a humorous family drama is Carell. His ability to act goofily and make the audience laugh while also pulling off the dramatic role of a prophet and father is impressive. While the film has a deep religious undercurrent, the jokes have mass appeal and the moral message does not have a strictly Christian tone.
Carell gets plenty of help in keeping the jokes flying, from “Daily Show” alums in bit parts to his congressional assistant Rita (Wanda Sykes, “Over the Hedge”), who has the best one-liners in the film. While it does take some time to get going in the humor department, once Evan begins the switchover from congressman to crazy, the laughs become more and more frequent, and with the exceptional special effects - unheard of in a comedy film - the ending comes across as more exciting than cheesy.
If you are able to leave your cynicism at the door of the theater and allow this feel-good movie to work its magic, “Evan Almighty” is a worthwhile successor to the original film. By having a positive family message and a strong environmental tone, along with a cute and funny story, it may even surpass the original.
Rated PG for mild rude humor and some peril.
