Jim's come a long ways.

Rating: Null/10 (2 December 2003)

Though I found Carrey hilarious on the show, In Living Color, and though the Ace Ventura movies got a quite a few laughs out of me . . . I can't say I ever really cared about any of his characters. If Ventura got his head blown off in a serious and tragic scene, I would still be struck with laughter and not shock. Sure, his antics were funny, but after awhile when you think about Jim Carrey as an actor all you see are goofy faces you really couldn't care less about.
Thankfully, Carrey's began investing in better comedies that are funny on more than the idiotic laugh-because-Jim-makes-a-funny-face-every-freakin-moment comedy. Thankfully, Carrey's begun proving that his talent extends further than the third grade antics performed by a full grown man.

Bruce Nolan is an everyday Joe whom most people can sympathize with, connect with, and really share in his moments in all their ups and downs. Humor like this hits home for me because Nolan does the exact same thing with God's power that I know I would do: abuse them . . . make my life great . .. and most definitely pay a few people back. And well, since I don't have the powers of God and never will the next best thing is watching Bruce Almighty where I can suspend my disbelieve and enjoy Jim Carrey wielding them.
Of course, one comedian can't sustain an entire film since half the laughs come from all the other character's reaction to Bruce and his antics and for that the other supporting cast of Buffalo get applause. Oh yes, and this film could not have worked without God, and Shadyac did well to cast the great Morgan Freeman as Alpha and Omega. Freeman brings an elegant all knowing air and a humanistic touch together for an intriguing interpretation of God. Far better and more memorable than just a bright light or all-business interpretation. I mean, as Gallagher put it, `Look at the giraffe. Does this look like the work of a serious artist?' But Freeman doesn't bring anything that could reasonably called sacrilege to the role.
And for the religious types, there's even an underlying message. All in all, Bruce Almighty is surprisingly one of the best comedies with religion as one of its major themes.