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 Reel Life with Jane!Get the latest scoop on family-friendly movies at the theatre and on DVD! EVAN ALMIGHTY
MPAA Rating: PG for mild rude humor and some peril. Should you bring the kids? Yes! This movie has a smattering of crude humor, but it's fairly mild. Overall, a great family film. For more info, see "Bringing the Kids" below. THE STORY: In this sequel to "Bruce Almighty," Steve Carell reprises his role as polished, preening newscaster Evan Baxter, who's on a special mission from God.
He tries to ignore God's request, but that proves difficult when strange things start happening. His beard grows faster than he can shave it (a la Tim Allen in "The Santa Clause"). And animals of all shapes, sizes and species start following him around – in pairs of two, no less.
Rounding out the cast are John Goodman as a fellow politician who might not be as wonderful as he seems; Molly Shannon as a real estate agent; and Wanda Sykes, Jonah Hill, and John Michael Higgins, who play Evan's assistants.
Ironic Side Note: The movie was shot in Virginia during a very rainy period that caused an 11-day delay in filming. Coincidence? Hmmm… Also, coordinating hundreds of animals proved to be quite the challenge because they had to make sure dangerous predators like lions and tigers were kept separate from tasty snacks like monkeys and giraffes. And get this: With a length of 450 feet, a width of 80 feet, and a height of 51 feet, the ark was constructed as per the descriptions in the Bible. No wonder they went over budget! BRINGING THE KIDS: PRESCHOOLERS (ages 2-5): This movie is probably too adult-oriented for most preschoolers (although they'll like seeing the animals pitch in and help build the ark). A better option for preschoolers is "Baby Einstein: Baby Noah – Animal Expedition" (2004), a 38-minute DVD that takes youngsters on a playful musical voyage to discover animals from the around the globe, including elephants, koala bears, flamingos, and penguins. GRADE-SCHOOLERS (ages 6 - 10): This is a good movie for kids who are old enough to understand the wackiness of a modern guy building an ark (kids in the 7- to 8-year-old range, depending on their maturity). There's some crude humor (expect the usual PG-rated body-function humor) and mild peril (a flood!), but nothing too objectionable for grade-schoolers. The lesson: stand by your family, even when they appear to have lost their minds. Also, when you get a message straight from God, you'd best pay attention. TWEEN / TEEN (ages 11+): Kids familiar with Steve Carell from "The Office" will love seeing his Dunder-Mifflin brand of humor as he goes about the business of building an ark. The combination of comedy and fantasy with a famous Biblical story thrown into the mix will likely be a crowd pleaser. Another fun option is "Noah," a 1998 TV movie starring Tony Danza with a similar storyline as this movie. JANE’S REEL RATING SYSTEM : One Reel: Pathetic. Even The Force can’t save it. Two Reels: Tolerable. Coulda been a contender. Three Reels: Pleasant. Something to talk about. Four Reels: Wow! The stuff dreams are made of. Jane Louise Boursaw is a freelance journalist specializing in the movie and television industries. Visit her online at www.ReelLifeWithJane.com or email jboursaw@charter.net
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by Jane Louise Boursaw
Newly elected to Congress, Evan leaves Buffalo behind and shepherds his family, including wife Joan (Lauren Graham), to suburban northern Virginia so he can move into his new office in Washington, D.C. But his perfect life is about to undergo some serious changes. And he has no idea how true his campaign slogan, "Change the World," will be.
Shortly after arriving in Virginia, Evan gets a visit from God (Morgan Freeman). Apparently, another massive flood is coming, and God has chosen Evan to follow in Noah’s footsteps and build an ark big enough to house him, his family, and two of every species on earth. Riiiiight, says Evan.
Needless to say, Evan's friends and family think he's either gone a little wacky or having a huge mid-life crisis. Things aren't going so well in his new political career either. But Evan has good reason to believe that God is not leading him astray. So with the help of "Ark Building for Dummies," he begins the monumental task and rallies his family to help out.
Helmed by hit comedy director Tom Shadyac (The Nutty Professor, Liar Liar, Bruce Almighty), this PG-RATED comedy is one for the whole family. And those don't come along very often, so you'd best get thee and thy family to a theater pronto.