Bruce Almighty was one of those films that you either liked or were iffy about. I was strongly on the liked side. The film was about loveable, but ambitious Bruce (Jim Carey) who longed to be an anchor at the local news company. He'd been a reporter for years and here was his big break - the main anchor was retiring. Until Evan got the job that was.

Enough was enough, God had it out for him - and he was rather unhappy about how he'd been treated. So he cried out to God and was kinda surprised when God (Morgan Freeman) answered and gave him all his powers.

After having messed up the town of Buffalo with his wreckless use of power, Bruce learnt his lesson and decided to Be The Miracle.

Evan (Steve Carrell, Over the Hedge), the chosen anchor then went on to run for congressman and succeeded. After praying that he'd be able to change the world he starts recieving some rather odd parcels at an unearthly time of the morning. Tools, wood all kinds of wierd items.

Then God shows up and tells Evan to build an ark. Evan dismisses him as a kook, until he shows up everywhere he goes - leading Evan to the conclusion that he is either going crazy or this really is God.

So he starts to build the ark and gets more than a few funny looks - especially when God, in his own humerous way decides to make his facial hair grow rediculously fast (in a The Santa Clause kind of way.

I enjoyed the film, though it has actually taken a few weeks for some of the underlying messages to sink in. Especially the how God answers prayer bit - not by zapping us but by teaching us through experience. In that respect this is a far deeper film than I had initially anticipated.

In other ways though, some of the storyline traits seemed a bit odd. Like the old style dress and the beard - these seemed abstract and almost out of place. However, thinking back to the first film, there were plenty of very random moments in that too.

Steve Carrell played the role well, but was no match for Jim Carey's performance in the first installment. Although I enjoyed the film I would personally prefer it if they didn't try to elongate this film double into a trilogy unless they have a really good idea. I like that they went in a different direction here and it almost seems planned that Evan was introduced in the first film - though it probably is just coincidence.

All in all, one I'd recommend seeing - if only the once.

see also:
Scott Pilgrim Vs The World, Bruce Almighty, Dinner for Shmucks, Land of the Lost

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photo © Universal Pictures.