I realized I hadn't done a Reel Review in quite some time. That's likely because I really haven't watched that many movies. But when we were waiting for the house to be ready the kids and I watched this at our friend's place on VOD.
When I went looking for a picture of EVAN ALMIGHTY to put on the blog, I came across another blog review that really wasn't that favourable. And that I didn't agree with. I will say, that while I liked Bruce Almighty, the themes were a little more adult and the comedy a little, well, different, from this movie. I liked this one better, actually. I thought Steve Carell was fantastic and you can't help but love Morgan Freeman. Most of all, I loved it because my husband, who is not a church goer, enjoyed it, and we could also sit with our kids and not worry in the least. It was a great family movie. The girls watched it several times!
If you are looking for a Christian Movie with serious Christian themes, perhaps this isn't for you. (Go watch Amazing Grace, which I also loved on a historical and moral level. ) There IS a faith element in Evan Almighty. What this movie has done is make it accessible to everyone without being preachy. It is a family comedy first and foremost. And the blogger I read said there was no real message or greater understanding in the end.
Well...considering the guy thought everything was tosh from the beginning and at the end he and God "do the dance"...I'd say a greater understanding was there. Considering this is a modern take on Noah, and that a man in today's society, in a prolific position, turned away from that life to build an ark because God told him...that's a pretty big leap of faith. I don't want to give it all away, but I thought the "flood" angle was inspired. It's there. You just have to be open to it, instead of waiting for it to smack you on the head.
There are even monkeys.
Anyway I liked it, and it's got lots of laughs for great family viewing.
Now I'm off to find a paddle, courtesy of Tropical Storm Cristobal. Our pool is now on the verge of being TOO full as we've had several inches of rain this week.
Donna
FALLING FOR MR DARK AND DANGEROUS, Romance, August 08, Aus/NZ Sept. 08
THE RANCHER'S RUNAWAY PRINCESS, Romance, January 09
HIRED: THE ITALIAN'S BRIDE, Romance, June 09
http://www.donnaalward.com
http://www.donnaalward.blogspot.com
Donna, we ended up
Donna, we ended up purchasing this DVD. My middle child has a disability and movies that she can watch over and over again is one thing she loves. Right now this happens to be her favorite movie (most often they are baseball movies). She loves physical humor, well, any kind of quirky humor and this movie uses lots of quirky humor. It's a keeper in our household.
Nancy
my girls watched it over
my girls watched it over and over and drove our host nuts I think! But it had so many funny moments. Carell as the straight man/funny man is so good. And John Goodman can be so sinister, which is unexpected.
Glad someone else liked it as well.
Donna
FALLING FOR MR DARK AND DANGEROUS, Romance, August 08, Aus/NZ Sept. 08
THE RANCHER'S RUNAWAY PRINCESS, Romance, January 09
HIRED: THE ITALIAN'S BRIDE, Romance, June 09
http://www.donnaalward.com
http://www.donnaalward.blogspot.com
Loved the movie!
As a matter of fact, we just watched it last night!
I let my DD stay up until 9:30pm (way past her bedtime!) just to finish it.
My favorite part: "Sounds like an opportunity. When someone prays for patience, does God just give them patience, or does he give them the opportunity to be patient?" That whole sequence just hits home. Not preachy in the least, but honest and straightforward and REAL.
I liked it better than Bruce Almighty. You're definitely right about the difference between the two. When my DH said "let's take Em to see it" I thought "NO WAY!" But sure enough, it was age appropriate.
JodieG
Prepublished and workin' to change that!
A winner of the Big Finish 2 Contest, March 2008!
Participating author in Pass the Plot, Summer 2008
Our family liked Evan
Our family liked Evan Almighty much better than Bruce Almighty. Morgan Freeman is just terrific in both movies.
Nancy