Hollywood seems to have a habit of making bad sequels to Jim Carrey movies without Jim Carrey. From Dumber and Dumberer: How Harry Met Lloyd to Son of the Mask, these have proven to be disasters.

But Evan Almighty is a different story.

This film follows the story of Evan Baxter, seen in Bruce Almighty as the annoying news anchor and rival to Bruce. Evan has left broadcast journalism to become a Congressman. Using the campaign promise to “change the world” to help win his seat, Baxter makes a plea to God to help him keep his promise. When he wakes up the next morning after offering his prayer, his own world begins to change as God charges him with the task of building an arc.

Funny and well-paced, Evan Almighty never bores. Steve Carell is a hilarious as he fights God, played again by Morgan Freeman, every step of the way in his divine assignment.

The movie does take a bit from The Santa Clause, as Evan physically transforms, especially as he tries to shave the beard only to have it grow in again seconds later.

Carrell is the star of this movie and given all the good lines. The supporting cast, although they do competent jobs, don’t hold a candle.

John Goodman plays the villain, Congressman Long, in pretty much the same manner as we have seen him play villains before in many other movies. Not much comedy comes from him other than birds pooping on his suit a couple times. Still, he’s able to set up Carell for some very funny moments.

The next prime-time television star to appear as the wife in an Almighty movie, Lauren Graham isn’t really given much to work with. Not to mention, she isn’t given nearly as significant a role as Jennifer Aniston was in Bruce Almighty. Still, she has a pleasant presence.

Morgan Freeman as God is actually very heart-warming, though, in this movie. Just as he was in the first movie, Freeman plays… well, basically the same character he plays in almost every movie: the wise old man with a heart of gold. It’s a character that obviously works for him.

If you’re looking for the next 40 Year Old Virgin, this film isn’t it. This is very much a family film, but one that every member of the family is sure to enjoy.