Pop religion takes a hit

Rating: 5/10 (11 April 2005)

The idea of Morgan Freeman being God and loaning Jim Carrey his powers is such a neat idea. But I guess making an entertaining movie about it is harder than it looks, kind of like being The Almighty. There's about enough good scenes for an attractive trailer (which this movie happened to have). Beyond that and a couple of funny jokes from Morgan you're on your own. For the most part Jim uses his new powers to help his "romantic life" and get ahead in the local news grind by playing cruel practical jokes on his competition. No fun there. So they squander some great comedic opportunities and deal out lousy ersatz religion all at the same time. I would get more upset about inappropriate and bad religious movies like this and Michael, 'cept they're so bad in their own right there's little danger of anyone taking them too seriously. Maybe God is more active than some people think. At least a Friend-less Aniston (the way we like her) rises marginally above the material. Morgan, on the other hand, should have been a little ashamed of some of the inane stuff he says as "God", particularly in the wrap up.