Is ‘Evan Almighty’ Worth Watching After ‘Bruce Almighty’?

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As a lifelong film enthusiast who has spent countless hours watching comedies and searching for meaningful messages within them, I must say that “Evan Almighty” stands out as one of the most impactful films in recent memory. Growing up, I was always drawn to comedies with a moral compass, and this movie delivers on every level.

Having lived through my fair share of challenges and cynicism, I can relate to Evan’s boundless religious optimism and his struggle to maintain it amidst the chaos of modern life. The film’s classic good-vs-evil theme resonates deeply with me, as I too have faced moments where I questioned my faith and struggled to stay positive in the face of adversity.

What sets “Evan Almighty” apart from other comedies is its unwavering commitment to conservation and animal welfare. In a world where we often lose sight of what truly matters, it’s refreshing to see a movie that encourages us to take care of the little things that make Earth great. The fact that the film was overseen by the American Humane Association to ensure no animals were harmed during production speaks volumes about its commitment to these values.

One thing I particularly appreciated about “Evan Almighty” is its refusal to shy away from more serious topics while still delivering laughs. The original idea for a sequel titled Brucifer, which explored the grief and anger that can arise when the world seems unfair, is a testament to this. While it may have been too dark for some audiences, it’s clear that the creators of “Evan Almighty” are not afraid to tackle complex themes while still delivering a fun and entertaining movie.

In closing, I highly recommend “Evan Almighty” to anyone looking for a comedy with a heart and a message. It’s a film that will make you laugh, think, and maybe even inspire you to do your part in caring for the world around you. And as someone who has spent far too much time watching movies, I can say with confidence that this is one you won’t want to miss!

Oh, and if you’re wondering why I’m so passionate about this movie, it’s because I’ve seen the Ark, and let me tell you, building an ark is no easy task. It takes a lot of faith and optimism, just like Evan had. But hey, at least I don’t have to deal with two of every animal!

In the year 2003, the movie Bruce Almighty, marking the third joint project between Tom Shadyac and Jim Carrey after Ace Ventura: Pet Detective and Liar Liar, hit the screens. The story revolves around Bruce Nolan, a disgruntled television reporter played by Carrey, who longs for something more than his mundane life. Frustrated with his monotonous white-collar job, he frequently voices his dissatisfaction towards God, calling him incompetent. This angers God, who then appears to Bruce and grants him divine powers for a week, challenging him to make changes. Given that this is a Jim Carrey character, we don’t see any noble actions. Instead, the free-spirited Bruce decides to use these powers to add excitement to his life in the most mischievous ways imaginable.

As a movie enthusiast, I can confidently say that I was thoroughly impressed by my personal experience with the quirky ensemble of characters in “Bruce Almighty.” This comedy blockbuster shattered expectations, raking in an astounding $86.4 million during its Memorial Day debut weekend, even outperforming “The Matrix Reloaded” the following week. By the time it wrapped up, “Bruce Almighty” had accumulated a staggering global total of $484 million, placing it as the fifth-highest-grossing film of 2003. Universal Pictures was so impressed by its success that they greenlit a sequel titled “Evan Almighty,” with Shadyac back in the director’s chair and Morgan Freeman once again slipping into his divine role. However, when it premiered in 2007, this sequel fell short of meeting the high standards set by its predecessor.

‘Evan Almighty’ Digs Deeper Into Religious Texts

It might seem surprising that Evan Almighty, following the controversial Bruce Almighty, would be any less tame. However, despite its predecessor being banned in several countries due to its portrayal of God as an ordinary man, the sequel takes this concept further, combining elements of absurdity and social realism in a way that initially appears like a humorous critique of a society often considered sinful.

In this scenario, it’s Bruce’s past competitor, Evan Baxter (played by Carrell), who takes center stage. His unique blend of innocence and intelligence propels him to great achievements, even landing him a seat in Congress. He harbors ambitions of transforming the world, but finds himself doing so in an unexpected manner. As he readies himself to draft policies with global impact, suddenly God appears to him, revealing that his fate is to embody a contemporary Noah.

In a twist of events, Evan is instructed to build an Ark as a means of preserving all creatures during an impending deluge. Despite maintaining his role as a congressman, his unusual behavior distances him from his peers. He takes to wearing robes and growing a long beard, which many perceive as signs of madness. To make matters worse, animals seem inexplicably drawn to Evan, causing chaos wherever he goes. Ultimately, these circumstances lead to his temporary expulsion from Congress and exclusion from the Public Land Act bill.Initially, it’s painful to witness his struggles, but our compassion for this overlooked politician intensifies as we cheer for his eventual success.

It’s worth noting that unlike its predecessor, Evan Almighty drew fewer protests. The main criticism originated from Malaysia’s Muslim Consumers Association (PPIM), who advocated for a ban. Despite this and the film having a budget double that of Bruce Almighty, its box office performance was lackluster. On its debut weekend, it grossed $31 million, which is significantly less than the initial film’s $68 million. The final global earnings reached $174.4 million, matching its production budget exactly. Critics also expressed disappointment, as they felt the movie didn’t fully leverage its star-studded cast.

‘Evan Almighty’ Champions Two of the Biggest Issues in Modern Society

In a humorous turn, Evan Almighty showcases a standout performance by Steve Carell, who infuses the film with his unique brand of humor reminiscent of his roles in The Office and other successful projects. Unlike Jim Carrey, who made this film series famous with his antics like yelling, expressing anxiety about work, verbally attacking competitors, and emotively revealing his feelings during significant moments, Carell maintains a more composed demeanor, similar to Rowan Atkinson.

Beyond its entertaining aspects, this movie stands out as one of the thoughtful and pertinent films in contemporary times. To start, it advocates for environmental preservation. A significant part of the storyline revolves around a powerful individual redirecting a water source and building a huge dam on public property for profit, which leads to severe ecological damage. Fortunately, the character Evan steps up to rectify the situation.

Environmental consciousness was evident both on-screen and behind-the-scenes, as confirmed by producer Michael Bostick; marking it as the inaugural Universal film to counterbalance its carbon footprint during production.

In collaboration with The Conservation Fund, we meticulously estimated the carbon emissions generated during our film production process, including fuel consumption in vehicles and operation of construction machinery. After determining our total carbon emissions, we undertook a tree-planting initiative that effectively cancels out the carbon footprint created by the movie, thereby mitigating its impact on climate change.

Beyond their initial task of planting 2,050 trees at two wildlife refuges in Virginia and California, these crew members took additional eco-friendly measures. For instance, they opted to cycle rather than drive to work. Moreover, instead of tearing down sets as usual, the constructed houses were donated for use, the Ark was repurposed, and the materials were given to Habitat for Humanity for further utilization.

In addition, the movie promotes the well-being and preservation of all creatures, choosing to include animals even when it could have centered solely on humans. Interestingly, The Oakland Tribune reported that the American Humane Association oversaw all 177 animal species utilized in the film. During scenes involving both predators and prey, digital enhancements were made to prevent any harm between them. To verify this, the movie concludes with the significant statement “No animals were harmed during the production of this film.

The Sequel’s Original Script Was Darker

According to Steve Koren and Mark O’Keefe in a chat with Variety, their initial plan was to have Jim Carrey reprise his role for a sequel named Brucifer. In this storyline, Jennifer Aniston’s character, Grace, tragically passes away, causing a silent rift between Bruce and God. This leads to the revelation of deep-seated resentment and bitterness. Subsequently, Carrey’s character gains Satan’s powers, which he later uses in an attempt to resurrect Aniston’s character.

Koren and O’Keefe shared their idea for a “Job Trial” sequel with producer Michael Bostick during the premiere of Bruce Almighty in May 2003. Carrey was keen on it, but the studio seemed less excited about the proposal.

Koren explained:

As a devoted cinephile, I can relate when the world feels unjust, and it’s precisely this sentiment that struck our protagonist. Our script was rooted in reality but intended to be delivered with a warm, inviting tone. We aimed to uplift rather than bring down our audience. Perhaps this approach scared the studio a bit, yet Jim wholeheartedly supported our vision for a hearty comedy that would resonate with everyone.

It seems the movie idea could have been both ambitious, intriguing, and potentially cost-effective, as per O’Keefe’s assessment. However, one might wonder if it would hold the same emotional impact as Bruce Almighty. The Steve Carell film undeniably leaves viewers with a desire to be more compassionate and cherish Earth’s small wonders. Neither the original Jim Carrey movie nor the proposed sequel carries an environmental or ‘conservation’ message, though.

Bruce Almighty might provide more laughs, but Evan Almighty is a movie that brings about change. Even without its underlying messages, it’s a breath of fresh air in the cinematic world. In an era where people are cautious not to offend, biblical-themed films like this one are quite unusual. What sets it apart most is the fact that its humor carries moral lessons. Consistently sticking to the classic theme of good versus evil, we wonder if Evan’s unwavering religious optimism will withstand all the obstacles and skepticism. The outcome is nothing short of divine.

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2025-01-01 21:02