"Evan Almighty" reaction

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Evan Almighty (Universal, 6.22) had a big family-style premiere and after-party on the Universal lot last weekend, and a friend who attended says "it's funny and entertaining, but it's basically a pro-environment rip on the Republicans and -- if you want to take it this far -- the self-serving politicians who didn't build the New Orleans levees properly, which is what made Hurricane Katrina so devastating.

There's a third-act plot spoiler coming three paragraphs from now...fair warning.

"Kids and families will love it, the special-effects are great, and It's just a really nice alpha-vibe, do-good, love-the-earth movie. The theme of the movie is 'ark' -- acts of random kindness.

"Steve Carrell is very funny and Morgan Freeman delivers his usual smooth professional job, but they gave all the best laugh lines - disbelieving skeptical reacton lines -- to Wanda Sykes, a black comedienne. There's a funny visual riff on one of Carell's earlier films, but I won't tell you what it is. This is only a 90 minute movie, by the way, which makes it even more kid-friendly, or tyke-friendly.

SPOILER: Freeman's God calls upon Carell's Congressman to build the ark to prepare for the big rains on September 22nd." (Why that date in particular?) "And then the rains come and then...perhaps I shouldn't say. Suffice that the real focus of this film isn't God's wrath but Man's greed. It turns out there's been a man-made dambreak that causes this gigantic flood, and it's mainly the fault of a pro-business Congressman played by John Goodman who's been helping his fat-cat pallies buy lots of land in parks and then winking at their short-cut moves (i.e., not building a dam properly).

"This movie is a throwback to the Oh, God movies," the observer says. "The end result is always that the main character -- Carrell's, in this instance -- becomes enlightened."

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Posted by Jeffrey Wells on June 11, 2007 at 10:59 AM

comment #1

DavidF says ...

See- that spoiler warning was just lovely!
I don't care that much about Evan Almighty but I'm genuinely thankful nonetheless.

Posted by DavidF at June 11, 2007 11:48 AM

comment #2

NYCBusybody says ...

Ah, good. The only people more horrifying in their foaming-at-the-mouth apocalyptic religiosity than evangelical Christians - environmental activists.

Just what we needed, a movie mixing the vibes of the two.

Posted by NYCBusybody at June 11, 2007 11:49 AM

comment #3

jeffmcm says ...

So now that it's pro-environment and anti-Republican, it's a good movie again, right? After months of bashing it for being bloated?

Posted by jeffmcm at June 11, 2007 11:50 AM

comment #4

le corbeau says ...

So basically it has the same plot as Ferngully: The Last Rainforest, is what you're telling us.

Posted by le corbeau at June 11, 2007 11:52 AM

comment #5

christian says ...

this movie is being pimped on right wing sites including free screenings, so the marketing team has clearly reached out to the base.

Posted by christian at June 11, 2007 11:54 AM

comment #6

Josh Massey says ...

Wow, Jeffmcm - that might have matched what I came in here to say word-for-word.

Posted by Josh Massey at June 11, 2007 12:15 PM

comment #7

Hopscotch says ...

I also happened to have seen the movie this weekend. And if you like seeing animals poop on people, BOY is this movie for YOU!

It actually wasn't terrible, I laughed, chuckled a couple of times. And I agree with this guy that the overall moral is pro-environment, have faith, be good-to-family... but overall I was just bored. If you have young kids, under 8, they'll enjoy it. I high-tailed it during the end credits.

you'll see why..

Posted by Hopscotch at June 11, 2007 12:21 PM

comment #8

Larry says ...

I'm trying to imagine how this film could do anything but suck.

Posted by Larry at June 11, 2007 1:55 PM

comment #9

Rich S. says ...

Maybe if it faded to black after the opening credits, we could imagine how it would be good.

Posted by Rich S. at June 11, 2007 2:15 PM

comment #10

christian says ...

"There's a funny visual riff on one of Carell's earlier films..."

geez, how self-satisfied and self-mythologized hollywood is these days...like all of carell's work is so incredibly memorable.

Posted by christian at June 11, 2007 2:22 PM

comment #11

Hopscotch says ...

There is a visual riff on one of Carell's earlier films...and IT AIN'T FUNNY!

Posted by Hopscotch at June 11, 2007 2:54 PM

comment #12

Craptastic says ...

The premiere and party was last night. I was there. Hooray for me

Posted by Craptastic at June 11, 2007 2:57 PM

comment #13

Craptastic says ...

I got it! September 22nd was the day the plane crashed on "Lost"!

All of us fans finally have our answer! Those whacky "Lost" writers...

Posted by Craptastic at June 11, 2007 3:02 PM

comment #14

christian says ...

so how was it you tease?

Posted by christian at June 11, 2007 3:03 PM

comment #15

Geoff says ...

4 8 15 16 23 42

Posted by Geoff at June 11, 2007 3:25 PM

comment #16

BurmaShave says ...

Well seeing this is the sequel to a movie with Steve Carrel in it, I can only assume this has a visual reference to an earlier one.

Though I actually hope when he first starts to grow his beard he also tries to slit his wrists and has to move in with his sister and her family.

Does Lauren Graham get naked? I know it's PG, but still, how could anyone object to that?

Posted by BurmaShave at June 11, 2007 4:00 PM

comment #17

PanTheFaun says ...

I saw this about a week ago, and yes, it IS pro-environment.

It's also a tremendous piece of shit, and targetted only at the very very young, and the very very religious. "Bruce Almighty" was remarkably mediocre, but at least it had a handful of laugh out loud moments.

SAMPLE JOKE: Early in the movie, Evan (Carell) drives by a movie theater-- the camera pans up to show us what's playing: "The 40-Year-Old Virgin Mary."

Posted by PanTheFaun at June 11, 2007 8:09 PM

comment #18

I,Claudius says ...

Jeff, why do you find it necessary to describe Wanda Sykes as "a black comedienne?" Presumable, most of your readers already know who Sykes is and you didn't describe Steve Carrell as "a white actor." What gives?

Posted by I,Claudius at June 11, 2007 9:13 PM

comment #19