VIEW FILM STILLS: Evan Almighty VIEW RED CARPET READ MORE: Thanking God for Evan Almighty READ MORE: 12 Actors Take on the Surpreme Being

PREMIERE.COM'S REVIEW (posted 6/20/07)

This summer will be remembered, among other things, as the summer that saw the rise of the supporting character. The Fantastic Four took a backseat in their own franchise to a flashy newcomer, perennial scene-stealer Seth Rogan headlined his first big comedy, and Pirates 3 threw up its hands and gave up trying to convince us the story had anything to do with supposed "leads" Will Turner or Elizabeth Swann. So it's fitting that Bruce Almighty's supporting player — Steve Carell — takes the baton from Jim Carrey and gets a visit from Morgan Freeman himself. I just wish I could say it was successful.

Following a way-too-quick throwaway explanation (handled in a clumsy montage), we discover that obnoxious Buffalo news anchor Evan Baxter (Carell) has somehow become a U.S. Congressman. He also, apparently, has an implausibly cool and sexy wife played by Graham (sorry, but I recall this guy being an unbearably nebbish prick in Bruce) and three completely normal kids. With this shaky set-up, God (Freeman) arrives and tells the incredulous Evan that he needs to build an ark for reasons God only knows. This not only involves tons of carpentry work, but also the constant influx of exotic animals to the Baxter home, and a Noah-like beard that grows of its own accord. These minor inconveniences throw a wrench into Evan's plans to kiss up to an anti-environment blowhard senior congressman, played by Goodman with so little effort that it's beyond phoning it in — he text-messages it in.

Carell, as fans of The Office know, is better playing quiet than broad, which is a key reason why Evan fails where Bruce succeeded. Bruce Almighty was a slight comedy pushed up a notch by Carrey's insane physicality and Tex Avery facial expressions. Like it or not, without that incessant mugging you get a bland and by-the-numbers exercise. It's not that Evan is "bad," it's just dull. Carell tries his best, but stripped of his prickishness, Evan Baxter is as engaging as a monthly checkbook reconciliation. And while fellow comedy vets Sykes and Higgins give it a worthy try, they fail to add spark to the proceedings.

The film wraps up in a neat, environmentally friendly package that might keep some kids entertained (the entire "let's build the ark" montage is grade-school slapstick with Carell dropping things on his foot and/or smacking himself with tools) but will leave adults yawning.

— Eric Alt