"Evan Almighty"
Directed by: Tom Shadyac

Starring: Steve Carell, Morgan Freeman, Lauren Graham, Wanda Sykes and John Goodman

MPAA rating: PG (mostly, I believe, for bird poop)

Running time: 90 minutes

Best suited for: Families. (Frankly, even 6 and 7yearolds should have fun with this one)

Least suited for: the GodandHollywood-don't-mix crowd

I sit here, the clock ticking, staring into an angry white sea of empty, expectant computer screen. How to rate this one? Where to begin? What to say? Not that "Evan Almighty" is a bad film, not even remotely so. It's actually quite funny. Quite . . . different.

It's a harmless film, very family friendly. It's utterly preposterous, plotwise, but that's nothing new in Hollywood. I dare say it even sparkles. And it's animal-friendly. It's multidenominationally friendly, spiritually speaking. Maybe it's me. I just can't come to terms yet that God once drove Miss Daisy.

I'll admit up front that "Evan Almighty" isn't so much a sequel to 2003's "Bruce Almighty" as it is a continuation of the litany, another verse perhaps (in which case, the sequel opportunities appear eternal). The basic common denominator is Morgan Freeman, reprising his role as the Almighty (the original Almighty), but whose flowing white robes have been replaced by wellfitting white cashmere. Now there's an endorsement money can't buy.

And, whereas once upon a time God chose Jim Carrey to carry out his often thankless tasks, he has a different sort of challenge for Evan Baxter (Steve Carell), a newly elected Congressman who claims he wants to "change the world."

For a moment, perhaps his first moment, Evan prays for guidance in his task. He apparently does want to change the world. But where to start? How to begin? God apparently has a clue. And, in keeping with the age-old adage of the Lord moving in mysterious ways, God assigns Evan the extremely mysterious task of building an ark.

The kind measured in cubits.

Needless to say, Mr. Baxter's cohorts and constituents don't seem too happy when their novice congressman reluctantly begins construction. In this day and age, when believing in God (or not) is condoned only if done in polite and private ways, Evan seems something of a Fruit Loop.

And when Evan tells people he's hearing God's voice- well, one can understand how far that gets him. Because, like Wal-Mart, oil refineries and toxic dumps, an ark is something nobody wants going up in their own backyard. Even if the massive yacht is God's command- at least according to Evan.

So now for the important question. Is "Evan Almighty" a spiritual film? Yes it is, but in thankfully painless ways. Personally, I don't go to see a film depicting God to learn about spirituality any more than I see a Michael Moore film to learn about politics. "Evan Almighty" does not attempt to preach.

It happens to relate a wellknown tale (the Great Flood is accepted not only by Judeo-Christians in the Bible, but by Muslims, Buddhists and Hindus) with a fair amount of good-natured humor.

Okay, so the story line is utterly unbelievable- but Hobbits, talking lions and superheroes don't exist either- so go with it. And "Evan Almighty" manages to throw in a good deal of nifty special effects.

There are animals, for instance. Lotsa cute animals, performing in twos (of course) on cue. And where Charlton Heston had the Red Sea parting, Steve Carrel has an awesome "Surf's up!" moment. Apparently, God loves his water sports.

"Evan Almighty" is a terrific family picture for those uncomfortable with more adult offerings or with farcical teen angst or those sometimes wellmeaning films depicting realistic modernday problems, plentiful enough without a $10-a-seat cover charge.

He's blissfully nondenominational, can dance, has a good sense of humor and won't provoke the slightest discomfort in those who believe God should be above those sorts of things. Hollywood theatrics, that is. God, in the guise of Mr. Freeman, remains quintessentially noble.

"Evan Almighty" tells a nice story, and for families who appreciate happy endings, solid morality (without too much eye rolling from the kids) and an evening's worth of gentle laughs, director Tom Shadyac has packaged the perfect nonoffensive vehicle.

God created laughter, one must assume, and "Evan Almighty" uses it wisely.