Finally Speaking About Evan
Posted by Chris
Last week I had a chance to go to a free preview of the upcoming release Evan Almighty at a local theater. They were doing a showing for church leaders and I was able to go with a couple of friends of mine. At the time, they had asked any press who were there to not write reviews until the movie released (next Friday, June 22nd). Since I wasn't there on official LifeWay business, and because this blog is about as far away from mass publication as you can get, I thought I'd share my thoughts about the movie a little as I'm sure there is a good amount of skepticism in the Christian community about it.
As a backdrop, I think it's important to know that I'm a Bruce Almighty fan. I know that isn't the case with a lot of Christians who are offended by portrayals of God or Jesus in popular media. I thought the first movie was a bit racy at times, but had some amazing insights into how the world views God. The movie, in my opinion, made good illustrations about spiritual truths, and from someone who has worked with students in ministry most of my adult life - I'm all for using popular media & cultural references to drive home deep spiritual truths. So, take it or leave it, I came into this sequel excited about the equal potential for this to be the same kind of opportunity.
If there was any apprehension about seeing the movie, it was probably that it would come off cheesy and not live up to the popularity of its predecessor. The clips in the previews were funny, but they didn't exactly convince you that this was one of those "must see" movies of the summer.
Let me just say that my apprehensions were un-founded - this was a GREAT! Let me say that again... you need to go & see this movie, especially if you have a family. The acting wasn't Academy Award material. The plot line wasn't grounded in reality. But it was a very (VERY) funny, well made, movie, that, apart from some "bodily function humor and mile profanity" (someone said there was a word or two in there, which surprised me because I don't remember hearing any at all) it is a clean movie. Want further proof? I walked out telling my friends that I couldn't wait to bring my kids to see it.
I'm not saying that it's 100% biblically accurate. I can't think of anything off hand that made me feel like "that is way off," but, it's a comedy after all - not meant to be a Bible study. It's good, though. My opinion is that, if the crowds are anything like they were on that preview night (with a theater packed with Christian leaders and their families/friends), Christians, even if they walked in skeptical, are going to be walking out laughing and pleased.
It's hard for us to find a good family movie that we can all go to these days. Even animated flicks, once a healthy respite for families desiring to go to the movies together, aren't automatic anymore. Evan Almighty is. If you're not convinced, grab a friend or your spouse & check it out starting next weekend. Then go back & take the kids after you're finished laughing yourself through an hour and a half of good comedy fun.
PS - On another pretty cool side note - Pastors and church leaders can now download movie clips and Bible study material from the movie to use in their churches. This has to be a first - a major motion picture house allowing clips of a 'still in the theater' movie to be shown in churches. You can grab them over at SermonSpice.com.
As a backdrop, I think it's important to know that I'm a Bruce Almighty fan. I know that isn't the case with a lot of Christians who are offended by portrayals of God or Jesus in popular media. I thought the first movie was a bit racy at times, but had some amazing insights into how the world views God. The movie, in my opinion, made good illustrations about spiritual truths, and from someone who has worked with students in ministry most of my adult life - I'm all for using popular media & cultural references to drive home deep spiritual truths. So, take it or leave it, I came into this sequel excited about the equal potential for this to be the same kind of opportunity.
If there was any apprehension about seeing the movie, it was probably that it would come off cheesy and not live up to the popularity of its predecessor. The clips in the previews were funny, but they didn't exactly convince you that this was one of those "must see" movies of the summer.
Let me just say that my apprehensions were un-founded - this was a GREAT! Let me say that again... you need to go & see this movie, especially if you have a family. The acting wasn't Academy Award material. The plot line wasn't grounded in reality. But it was a very (VERY) funny, well made, movie, that, apart from some "bodily function humor and mile profanity" (someone said there was a word or two in there, which surprised me because I don't remember hearing any at all) it is a clean movie. Want further proof? I walked out telling my friends that I couldn't wait to bring my kids to see it.
I'm not saying that it's 100% biblically accurate. I can't think of anything off hand that made me feel like "that is way off," but, it's a comedy after all - not meant to be a Bible study. It's good, though. My opinion is that, if the crowds are anything like they were on that preview night (with a theater packed with Christian leaders and their families/friends), Christians, even if they walked in skeptical, are going to be walking out laughing and pleased.
It's hard for us to find a good family movie that we can all go to these days. Even animated flicks, once a healthy respite for families desiring to go to the movies together, aren't automatic anymore. Evan Almighty is. If you're not convinced, grab a friend or your spouse & check it out starting next weekend. Then go back & take the kids after you're finished laughing yourself through an hour and a half of good comedy fun.
PS - On another pretty cool side note - Pastors and church leaders can now download movie clips and Bible study material from the movie to use in their churches. This has to be a first - a major motion picture house allowing clips of a 'still in the theater' movie to be shown in churches. You can grab them over at SermonSpice.com.
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