“Evan Almighty”

Universal Pictures

Directed by Tom Shadyac

Starring Steve Carell, Morgan Freeman, Lauren Graham, John Goodman, Wanda Sykes and John Michael Higgins

Rated PG

2 1/2 Stars

As much as I love Steve Carell, his new film, “Evan Almighty” is a somewhat bland comedy and certainly nowhere near as funny as Jim Carrey’s take on the same story in “Bruce Almighty.” Yet despite the lack of laugh-out-loud moments, I’ve got to say that I was charmed by the film’s gentle humor and family-first message. It’s a sweet, PG-rated comedy that will tickle the younger kids and leave mom and dad feeling all warm and fuzzy inside.

Teenagers, of course, will find the film to be totally lame.

Carell stars as Evan Baxter, the TV news anchorman from the original movie who’s cleaned up his act and been elected to congress after promising voters that he’s determined to “change the world.” God in the form of Morgan Freeman hears his campaign slogan and decides to put the freshman congressman to the test. He delivers several pallets of wood and tells our incredulous hero that he should build an ark. He even thoughtfully provides an “Ark Building for Dummies” book.

Evan tries to rebel, but he and his family are finally convinced when lions and tigers and bears (and elephants and alligators) suddenly decide to migrate in pairs to Washington, D.C. The animals liven things up only to the extent that monkeys drinking lemonade and birds pooping on people are kid-funny. Mom and dad may get a giggle out of Carell’s vain attempts at rebellion and a few well-placed Wanda Sykes witticisms, but as I said, the comedy isn’t really the strong point here.

“Evan Almighty” shines with some impressive animal special effects shots and a great family-friendly moral message. There’s nothing edgy here, and I’m okay with that. Not every film has to break new ground. Sometimes parents just want a sweet and gentle diversion, something they will find in “Evan Almighty.”

Movie reviews by Sean, “The Movie Guy,” are published Wednesdays and Fridays in “The Port Arthur News.”