I warned you it was going to happen.  Yes, Evan Almighty had some penguins!!!!  However, I was having such a good time, I waited until the end to walk out. 

Evan Baxter used to be a news anchor on a Buffalo television station (back in the first movie, Bruce Almighty), but he has become somewhat of a national celebrity by running for Congress, and winning, on the promise to change the world.  Newly elected, he heads off to Washington, DC with his three sons and wife, Joan (Lauren Graham), but something strange is happening.

His alarm clock keeps going off at 6:14 AM, he keeps getting deliveries of building supplies, but they are marked with the wrong address (again, 614 instead of 416), and animals seem to be following him two by two.  Just as Evan starts to think he is going crazy, God (Morgan Freeman) explains that he needs Evan to build an Ark, because a flood is coming.

Will Evan be able to build the ark and keep everyone from thinking he is going crazy?  Will the flood occur?

Only Steve Carell’s mother is a bigger fan of this comedian, but I might even have HER beat, so you can imagine how I am a little biased towards liking Evan Almighty.  It’s a fun movie that doesn’t make you think too hard, but has plenty of little jokes for those who pay attention, and even some cool stuff you might pick up if you are familiar with the material. 

Director Tom Shadyac and writer Steve Oedekerk provide great visual jokes and subtle dialogue like character names, sight gags that grab your attention (God’s various wardrobe changes are good for laughs), Evan’s neat and tidy tendencies that get destroyed by his transformation into Noah and more.  While early portions of the movie also feature some prominent potty humor (including a dog relieving himself #2 style, as well as some birds doing the same), that stuff gets pushed aside as Evan Almighty starts to move forward. 

Shadyac and Oedekerk walk a fine line between slapstick comedy and dealing with the biblical themed story to provide a movie that is faith-lite, and won’t upset anyone but the extremes who want it all about God or to eliminate all references to religion (we are talking about a story where God tells a dude to build an ark, so religion is going to come up).  While dealing with some matters of faith, the bible and God, it’s done in a respectful way that doesn’t come off as bible thumping, nor belittling to those whose faith is important to them.  While the team throws in a pro-environment message that attacks an easily defeated  straw man development issue, and the dialogue is not groundbreaking, Evan Almighty is solid, especially as we get some old fashioned family growth and crisis scenes that will ring true for all.  Thankfully, it is carried out by a great cast making the obvious funny.      

Carell always is good, even if Evan is an overly familiar, straightforward put upon, frazzled guy.  His job is to react, scream, freak out and get all flustered, and he does it well, while finding some moments to be a warm likable guy, which makes you feel for the dude who everyone thinks is going crazy.  Jonah Hill gets great laughs for his character’s oddly creepy support for Evan.  Freeman is the coolest God you have ever seen with his laid back and life loving approach, while Wanda Sykes is the queen of the one-liner, and John Goodman gives a performance that reminds you how funny he can be with good material, even when playing the obvious villain.  Watch for his finest moment in the climactic showdown with Evan. 

Evan Almighty is funny, and that’s what really counts.  And, with subtle humor, bible themes and great visual jokes on one side, and potty humor and dogs sticking their noses in guys' crotches on the other side, it’s a movie that appeals to everyone, in a round about way.    

3 Waffles (Out of 4)

Evan Almighty is rated PG for mild rude humor and some peril. 

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