An interesting trend has arisen in the intersecting world of evangelical and popular culture: the “faith-friendly” film. After the phenomenal box-office success of The Passion of the Christ and The Chronicles of Narnia, the major studios are more than willing to target church-goers by producing films that affirm faith. Even when the tactic doesn't work (as in the case of the more recent Amazing Grace), it doesn't seem to be a method that will disappear any time soon. Not if the makers of Evan Almighty have anything to do with it. The question is whether the film actually affirms faith or trivializes it.

Evan, of course, is Evan Baxter (Steve Carell) reprising his role from the original film Bruce Almighty. Evan is giving up his job as a news anchor to begin a new career as a United States Congressman. Fueled by his campaign promise to “Change the World,” Baxter has a flood (no pun intended) of constituents to represent. Ever the idealist, Evan and his supportive nuclear family set off for a new life in Washington D.C. Burdened by his great responsibility, Evan drops to his knees and prays for God's help and intervention. Careful what you ask for Evan.

A series of “coincidences” involving the letter and number sequence GEN 614 begin to appear all around him. A malfunctioning alarm clock, the license plate for the new car and the office phone extension drive Evan to dust off that old family Bible to discover these words:

“Make yourself an ark of gopherwood: make rooms in the ark and cover it inside and outside with pitch.”--Genesis 6:14

Then the hilarity ensues...well, just some chuckles, lots of poop jokes and the deadpan humor of Carell. The disbelief of Baxter's family and his fellow Congressman is overshadowed by the presence of all types of critters descending upon D.C. and, of course, the surprise visits for the Man Upstairs himself. Morgan Freeman is so likeable and charming that he can do or say just about anything and sound totally believable. When God tells Evan “you want to change the world...so do I,” it could be inspiring, even if it's not exactly profound doctrine.

As Evan obediently builds the ark, much to the consternation of his family and friends, animals appear two by two. Clean-cut Baxter is transformed into a white-haired, beard growing, sackcloth wearing nutjob. Seems as if this time around, God is not interested in destroying the world but saving it from the hands of corrupt, environment destroying congressman. The impending judgment is reserved for just a few individuals and the ark of salvation is for everyone else.

The gaudy $175 million budget was apparently used for other things besides special effects because the “flood” (a local flood, by the way) looks so cheap that it looks like a glorified amusement park log ride. The only thing cheaper than the special effects is the “cheap” theology and the cliched, politically correct spirituality espoused. I remember that it was about “Acts of Random Kindness” or something like that. The fodder in this film amounts to nothing more than “Chicken Soup for the Culturally Starved Christian Soul.” Are we so starved for positive portrayals of Christianity that we are willing to accept this drivel as a faith-affirming film? I hope not. Want a more biblically accurate portrayal of faith? Go check out Black Snake Moan from Blockbuster.

The thing is I probably would have watched Evan Almighty with a less critical eye if Christians hadn't latched onto it as the next “big thing.” Just because a film has god in it, has characters praying and mentions a few bible verses doesn't make it a film that we should put our hopes in to impact society. I hope we have better discernment in the future--jumping on the Evan Almighty bandwagon is certain to sink this boat.